Gena Rowlands, known for playing an elderly Ally in “The Notebook,” is battling Alzheimer's disease, her son revealed to Entertainment Weekly (EW) on Tuesday.

Rowlands' acting career spanned nearly 70 years. according to Rowlands has worked with her son, actor and director Nick Cassavetes, on a number of projects, including “The Notebook.” EW points out that Rowlands plays the older version of Rachel McAdams' character Ally, who also suffers from dementia.

“I wanted my mother to play the older Allie, and we talked at length about Alzheimer's and wanting to portray her in a believable way, and now for the last five years she's had Alzheimer's,” Cassavetes told EW. “My mother has full-blown dementia. It's so crazy. We've lived through it, she's played it, and now we're carrying it.”

According to the media, Mr Rowlands' mother, Mrs Rowlands, was also battling the disease. (Related article: Chris Hemsworth reveals he's at high risk for Alzheimer's.)

Gena Rowlands, who played the older version of Allie in 'The Notebook', has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, her son has revealed. pic.twitter.com/w4GzeU8Sqm

— Pop Base (@PopBase) June 25, 2024

Now 94, she spoke about her mother's illness and how it influenced her decision to take on the role of Ally. interview It was published in O Magazine in 2004.

“This last one notebook“Filming Alzheimer's, which is based on the Nicholas Sparks novel, was particularly difficult because I'm playing a character with Alzheimer's,” she told O Magazine. “I went through the same thing with my mom. If Nick hadn't directed this movie, I never would have done it. It was so hard. It was hard, but it was a great movie.”

The actress, who appeared in films like “A Woman Under the Influence” and “Gloria,” has received numerous awards throughout her acting career, including an Honorary Academy Award and two Oscars, EW reported.