Rowlands, Gena (1934–)

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Rowlands, Gena (1934–)

American stage, tv, and screen actress. Born Virginia Cathryn Rowlands, June 19, 1934, in Cambria, WI; dau. of E.M. Rowlands (state assemblyman); m. John Cassavetes (actor-director), 1954 (died 1989); children: Nick Cassavetes (b. 1959, actor).

Made Broadway debut as understudy for the lead in The Seven Year Itch (1952), eventually assuming the role; also starred in Middle of the Night (1956–57), among others; made screen debut in The High Cost of Living (1958), followed by Lonely are the Brave, The Spiral Road, A Child is Waiting, Tony Rome, The Brink's Job, Tempest, Light of Day, Another Woman and Once Around, among others; often appeared in films written and directed by husband, including Faces, Minnie and Moskowitz and Love Streams. Nominated for Oscars as Best Actress for A Woman Under the Influence (1974) and Gloria (1980); named Best Actress at Berlin Film Festival for Opening Night (1978); won Emmys for title role in "The Betty Ford Story" (1987) and "Face of a Stranger" (1991).