Gena Rowlandss First Date with John Cassavetes Was Catastrophic

by

Gena Rowlandss First Date with John Cassavetes Was Catastrophic

Summary

  • Gena Rowlands, a Hollywood legend, starred in unforgettable films like
    A Woman Under the Influence
    .
  • Rowlands and John Cassavetes‘ disastrous first date led to a legendary 35-year marriage.
  • Rowlands’ Hollywood legacy includes accolades like the Silver Bear for Best Actress.

As I delve deeper into the captivating lives of Gena Rowlands and John Cassavetes, two titans of American cinema who left an indelible mark on the industry, I can’t help but marvel at their extraordinary journey. Their shared screen chemistry was palpable, and their off-screen partnership seemed to fuel their artistic fire, creating a legacy that continues to inspire filmmakers today.

The decorated and endlessly talented Gena Rowlands was one of the silver screen’s most unique performers, having dazzled audiences all across the world with her unforgettable roles in films like A Woman Under the Influence, Opening Night, Another Woman, and The Notebook. The recipient of numerous accolades, including two Golden Globe Awards, four Emmys, and the prestigious Silver Bear for Best Actress, Rowlands dominated Hollywood for nearly 70 years.

The long-standing personal and professional bond between talented actress Gena Rowlands and innovative filmmaker John Cassavetes significantly boosted their careers, as they worked together on an incredible 10 films over the span of more than two decades in Hollywood. This influential pair made a lasting impact on the entertainment industry, but their remarkable legacy might never have been realized if not for a disastrous first date that turned out to be quite amusing in retrospect. Let’s delve deeper into the story of Rowlands and Cassavetes and their romance that spanned over a decade.

Gena Rowlands Has Starred in Countless Great Films

Gena Rowlandss First Date with John Cassavetes Was CatastrophicGena Rowlandss First Date with John Cassavetes Was CatastrophicGena Rowlandss First Date with John Cassavetes Was Catastrophic

With a colorful Hollywood career spanning nearly seven decades, silver screen legend Gena Rowlands was a constant presence in the entertainment industry since she made her feature film debut in the 1958 comedy The High Cost of Living. After studying drama at New York City’s American Academy of Dramatic Arts, Rowlands made appearances in television shows like Laramie, Bonanza, The Virginian, and The Alfred Hitchcock Hour before shifting her focus to becoming a certified movie star.

Rowlands landed roles in films such as Lonely Are the Brave, Tony Rome, and Machine Gunn McCain at the start of her burgeoning acting career in cinema. Eventually, she began working with her influential director/actor husband John Cassavetes in the 1960s. Their first collaboration was on the 1963 drama A Child Is Waiting, alongside Judy Garland and Burt Lancaster. They went on to work together on a total of ten critically-acclaimed projects, boosting their respective Hollywood profiles and cementing them as one of the industry’s most dynamic and successful duos.

A Wild and Unforgettable First Date Between Rowlands and Cassavetes

Gena Rowlandss First Date with John Cassavetes Was CatastrophicGena Rowlandss First Date with John Cassavetes Was CatastrophicGena Rowlandss First Date with John Cassavetes Was Catastrophic

In 1953, I had the privilege of crossing paths with my future spouse, John Cassavetes, during an audition for a prestigious New York Academy. As fellow aspiring artists, we nurtured our shared silver screen aspirations together within its hallowed halls. It was my captivating portrayal in the play “Dangerous Corner” that left an indelible impression on Cassavetes, prompting him to ask me out on a formal date. Our romantic journey, however, almost came to a screeching halt on our very first date, teetering precariously close to ending our budding relationship before it even started.

In Michael Fine’s heartfelt book, Accidental Genius: How John Cassavetes Pioneered American Independent Film, the author explores the impact and development of both actor and director Cassavetes, as well as his lasting bond with Gena Rowlands. The entertaining account of their first date was recounted, a story that showcased Cassavetes’ determined nature. On their planned night out, Cassavetes seemingly drove aimlessly around town without any specific destination or plan. After meandering through the streets for an hour, they unexpectedly ended up at a roadside bar in New Jersey.

In a booth setting, Cassavetes exclusively discussed his German shepherd named Henry, and it appeared as though Rowlands was eager for the awkward date to conclude. After seeing her home and to her doorstep, the self-assured Casanova tried to share a goodnight kiss, but was swiftly denied by the uninterested Rowlands, who frankly told him, “You’ve got to be kidding me. We have nothing in common. All you talked about was your dog.” Instead of conceding defeat, Cassavetes inquired about what Rowlands desired to discuss, and she responded with literature, plays, and artistic topics.

Unyielding in his determination to win her heart, Cassavetes retreated home to strategize and sought advice from his father about charming Gena Rowlands. He spent four months preparing for their next encounter by immersing himself in a pile of books. Four months after their disastrous initial date, John Cassavetes married Gena Rowlands on March 9, 1954, and they stayed together for nearly 35 years until his passing at the age of 59 on February 3, 1989. This formidable duo went on to dominate Hollywood and create captivating cinema throughout their relationship.

Gena and John Cassavetes Make Movie Magic

Gena Rowlandss First Date with John Cassavetes Was CatastrophicGena Rowlandss First Date with John Cassavetes Was CatastrophicGena Rowlandss First Date with John Cassavetes Was Catastrophic

The personal and professional relationship between Gena Rowlands and John Cassavetes was truly one for the books, as they dominated the big screen with their celebrated collaborations and numerous acclaimed pictures. Rowlands earned two Academy Award nominations for her exceptional work with Cassavetes, garnering Best Actress nods for her brilliant performances in the drama A Woman Under the Influence and crime thriller Gloria while also winning the highly coveted Silver Bear for Best Actress for Opening Night at the prestigious Berlin International Film Festival.

John Cassavetes is recognized as a trailblazer in contemporary American independent filmmaking, having directed and acted in numerous memorable films such as Shadows, Faces, Love Streams, and other critically acclaimed productions. Notably, many of his projects were filmed and edited within the confines of his Los Angeles home, offering an intimate portrayal of human behavior and relationships. He deliberately chose to bypass studio control and Hollywood executives, often financing, creating, and distributing his films independently.

The boundary-pushing filmmaker also had an impressive acting resume, starring in movies like Edge of the City, Rosemary’s Baby, and The Dirty Dozen, the latter of which he scored an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. Outside of his own personal directorial endeavors, Cassavetes and Rowlands shared the screen in films such as Machine Gun McCain, Two Minute Warning, and Tempest, showcasing their palpable chemistry and admirable acting prowess. The couple’s final joint cinematic venture was the 1984 drama Love Streams, which currently holds a 100% Rotten Tomatoes score and earned Cassavetes the Golden Bear.

Rowlands and Cassavetes Left an Enduring and Everlasting Legacy

Gena Rowlandss First Date with John Cassavetes Was CatastrophicGena Rowlandss First Date with John Cassavetes Was CatastrophicGena Rowlandss First Date with John Cassavetes Was Catastrophic

Following my husband’s unexpected passing in 1989, I didn’t let grief halt my career momentum. Instead, I continued to carve out a distinctive niche for myself as one of Hollywood’s most versatile and captivating actresses. Over the subsequent decade, I graced the silver screen in an assortment of films such as “Something to Talk About,” “The Neon Bible,” “Unhook the Stars,” and “Hope Floats.” My performance left a lasting impression in the 2004 romantic drama “The Notebook,” where I shared the screen with James Garner, Rachel McAdams, and Ryan Gosling. Remarkably, this film was an adaptation of the Nicholas Sparks novel directed by my son, Nick Cassavetes.

As a devoted cinephile, I’m thrilled to share that the exceptional actress Ellen Burstyn, who won the Golden Satellite Award for Best Supporting Actress for her captivating performance in the timeless romance classic, graced our screens not only in that masterpiece but also in other notable films like “The Skeleton Key,” “Broken English,” and “Parts Per Billion.” Her final screen credit was in the 2014 dramedy “Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks,” before her retirement in 2015. The legendary Ellen Burstyn, who left us at 94 on August 14, 2024, following complications from Alzheimer’s disease, will forever be remembered for the indelible mark she made on American cinema. Before her passing, “The New Yorker” aptly described this movie icon as, “The most important and original movie actor of the past half century-plus.” If you haven’t seen her work yet, her film “The Notebook” is available for rental on Prime Video and Apple TV.

Read More

2024-08-21 06:04