Gena Rowlands, the iconic actress who portrayed the older version of Allie in the 2004 film The Notebook, has passed away at the age of 94. She died on Wednesday afternoon at her home in Indian Wells, California. The news of her passing was confirmed by a spokesperson for her son, filmmaker Nick Cassavetes, and was first reported by the Associated Press.

The official cause of Rowlands’ death has not been disclosed, but it was known that she had been battling Alzheimer’s disease for the past five years. This was shared by Nick Cassavetes during an interview marking the 20th anniversary of The Notebook. Reflecting on his mother’s portrayal of Allie’s struggle with dementia in the film, he noted how surreal it was to have discussed and acted out the very condition she would later experience in real life.

Throughout her illustrious career, Gena Rowlands earned widespread acclaim and numerous accolades. She won four Emmy Awards for her work in television and was nominated twice for the Academy Award for Best Actress for her performances in A Woman Under the Influence and Gloria. In addition, she won two Golden Globe Awards, solidifying her status as one of Hollywood’s most talented and respected actresses.