‘The Notebook’ Star Gena Rowlands Has Alzheimer’s Disease

Her son and director, Nick Cassavetes, revealed her diagnosis on the 20th anniversary of the film. Gena Rowlands, who memorably played the older version of Rachel McAdam’s character, Allie, in the romance film “The Notebook,'' has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. The 94-year-old has been living with the disease for five years now, but Mr. Cassavetes said he felt compelled to open up while describing the full circle moment for the 20th anniversary of the film. The character she played in the movie also suffered from dementia. “She’s in full...