The Sweetest Photos of Gena Rowlands with Her Children — and Grandchildren

Mar. 15, 2025

Xan Cassavetes, Gina Cassavetes, Nick Cassavetes, Gena Rowlands and Zoe Cassavetes.Photo:Toni Anne Barson/WireImage

Toni Anne Barson/WireImage

Gena Rowlandsmay have been a film legend, but one of her greatest joys was the family she created with late husbandJohn Cassavetes.

Rowlands and Cassavetes first met when they were both attending the American Academy at Carnegie Hall. They got married in 1954 and were together until he died in 1989. Over the course of their marriage, the pair welcomed three kids — son Nick, 65 and daughters Alexandra, 58, and Zoe, 54.

Below, check out some if the sweetest photos of Gena Rowlands with her children and grandchildren.

01of 12Back in the DayGena Rowlands and her son Nick Cassavetes.Leo Fuchs/GettyGena Rowlands and son Nick were captured in this classic black and white pic at their home in Los Angeles back in 1964.

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Back in the Day

Gena Rowlands and her son Nick Cassavetes.Leo Fuchs/Getty

Leo Fuchs/Getty

Gena Rowlands and son Nick were captured in this classic black and white pic at their home in Los Angeles back in 1964.

02of 12All Grown UpGena Rowlands with Nick Cassavetes and Zoe Cassavetes in 1992.Pool ARNAL/GARCIA/PICOT/Gamma-Rapho via GettyDecades later, the legendary actress hit the red carpet at the 1992 Cannes Film Festival with Nick and Zoe.

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All Grown Up

Gena Rowlands with Nick Cassavetes and Zoe Cassavetes in 1992.Pool ARNAL/GARCIA/PICOT/Gamma-Rapho via Getty

Pool ARNAL/GARCIA/PICOT/Gamma-Rapho via Getty

Decades later, the legendary actress hit the red carpet at the 1992 Cannes Film Festival with Nick and Zoe.

03of 12Terrific TrioGena Rowlands with children Nick and Zoe Cassavetes in Cannes.Pool ARNAL/GARCIA/PICOT/Gamma-Rapho via GettyThe trio was all smiles while posing on a balcony in-between events at Cannes.

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Terrific Trio

Gena Rowlands with children Nick and Zoe Cassavetes in Cannes.Pool ARNAL/GARCIA/PICOT/Gamma-Rapho via Getty

The trio was all smiles while posing on a balcony in-between events at Cannes.

04of 12Spanning GeneratonsGena Rowlands with Nick Cassavetes and his daughters Virginia and Sasha.Jim Smeal/Ron Galella Collection via GettyWhen she was being honored at the American Film Institute Film Festival Tribute in 1996, Rowlands not only brought Nick for the special occasion, but granddaughters Virginia and little Sasha — who clung tightly to her dad — were in attendance.

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Spanning Generatons

Gena Rowlands with Nick Cassavetes and his daughters Virginia and Sasha.Jim Smeal/Ron Galella Collection via Getty

Jim Smeal/Ron Galella Collection via Getty

When she was being honored at the American Film Institute Film Festival Tribute in 1996, Rowlands not only brought Nick for the special occasion, but granddaughters Virginia and little Sasha — who clung tightly to her dad — were in attendance.

05of 12Headed to the GlobesNick Cassavetes and his mother, Gena Rowlands.Jim Smeal/Ron Galella Collection via GettyLooking pretty in pink, Rowlands held hands with her loving son as the pair attended the 46th annual Golden Globe Awards together in 1989.

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Headed to the Globes

Nick Cassavetes and his mother, Gena Rowlands.Jim Smeal/Ron Galella Collection via Getty

Looking pretty in pink, Rowlands held hands with her loving son as the pair attended the 46th annual Golden Globe Awards together in 1989.

06of 12Mother DearestGena Rowlands daughter Zoe Cassavetes.Jim Smeal/Ron Galella Collection via GettyIt was mother-daughter date night for Rowlands and her daughter Zoe who attended Andrea Marcovicci’s opening night performance at the Westwood Playhouse, in California in September of 1990.

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Mother Dearest

Gena Rowlands daughter Zoe Cassavetes.Jim Smeal/Ron Galella Collection via Getty

It was mother-daughter date night for Rowlands and her daughter Zoe who attended Andrea Marcovicci’s opening night performance at the Westwood Playhouse, in California in September of 1990.

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Girls' Night Out

Gena Rowlands with daughters Alexandra and Zoe.Marsaili McGrath/Getty

Marsaili McGrath/Getty

08of 12It Runs in the FamilyGena Rowlands and Zoe in 2007.FRANCOIS GUILLOT/AFP via GettyClearly, Rowlands' love for film has rubbed off on her children. All three of her kids have been in front of and behind the camera. Above, the actress is pictured adoringly looking at her daughter at the premiere ofBroken Englishin which she starred and Zoe directed.

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It Runs in the Family

Gena Rowlands and Zoe in 2007.FRANCOIS GUILLOT/AFP via Getty

FRANCOIS GUILLOT/AFP via Getty

Clearly, Rowlands' love for film has rubbed off on her children. All three of her kids have been in front of and behind the camera. Above, the actress is pictured adoringly looking at her daughter at the premiere ofBroken Englishin which she starred and Zoe directed.

09of 12A Family AffairXan Cassavetes, Gina Cassavetes, Nick Cassavetes, Gena Rowlands and Zoe Cassavetes.Toni Anne Barson/WireImageThe entire family — including Nick’s daughter, Virginia — was in attendance forThe Notebook’s premiere at the 30th Deauville American Film Festival in 2004.

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A Family Affair

Xan Cassavetes, Gina Cassavetes, Nick Cassavetes, Gena Rowlands and Zoe Cassavetes.Toni Anne Barson/WireImage

The entire family — including Nick’s daughter, Virginia — was in attendance forThe Notebook’s premiere at the 30th Deauville American Film Festival in 2004.

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A Moment in Time

Gena Rowlands with daughter Zoe, son Nick and his daughter Sasha.Tommaso Boddi/WireImage

Tommaso Boddi/WireImage

11of 12Honoring MomGena Rowlanda and Nick Cassavetes in 2015.Kevin Winter/GettyNick was clearly overjoyed to be presenting his mother with her Honorary Academy Award at the 7th annual Governors Awards in 2015.

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Honoring Mom

Gena Rowlanda and Nick Cassavetes in 2015.Kevin Winter/Getty

Kevin Winter/Getty

Nick was clearly overjoyed to be presenting his mother with her Honorary Academy Award at the 7th annual Governors Awards in 2015.

12of 12Ode to a ClassicZoe Cassavetes, Xan Cassavetes, guest, Gena Rowlands and Nick Cassavetes.CHANCE YEH /Patrick McMullan via GettyRowlands, her three kids and one of her granddaughters posed for cameras as they arrived at the Gucci and the Film Foundation with Martin Scorsese and Gena Rowlands screening ofA Woman Under the Influenceheld at the M.O.M.A. in 2008.

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Ode to a Classic

Zoe Cassavetes, Xan Cassavetes, guest, Gena Rowlands and Nick Cassavetes.CHANCE YEH /Patrick McMullan via Getty

CHANCE YEH /Patrick McMullan via Getty

Rowlands, her three kids and one of her granddaughters posed for cameras as they arrived at the Gucci and the Film Foundation with Martin Scorsese and Gena Rowlands screening ofA Woman Under the Influenceheld at the M.O.M.A. in 2008.

source: people.com