Actress Gena Rowlands has Alzheimer's; 'She's in full dementia,' says son

FILE - Actor Gena Rowlands poses for a portrait at the London West Hollywood hotel in West Hollywood, Calif., on Dec. 4, 2014. Rowlands is suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, says her son, the filmmaker Nick Cassavetes. Cassavetes, in an interview with Entertainment Weekly published Tuesday, says Rowlands has had Alzheimer’s for five years. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP, File)

When Oscar winner Gena Rowlands appeared in The Notebook 20 years ago, she starred as an older version of Rachel McAdams' character who was living with Alzheimer's. Now, she's living with the disease.

The prolific 94-year-old actor, who is the widow of director John Cassavetes, has Alzheimer's, her son and The Notebook director Nick Cassavetes revealed in a recent interview. For Entertainment Weekly, the filmmaker looked back on 20 years of The Notebook, breaking down one of its most emotional moments starring his mother.