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'The Notebook's Gena Rowlands Diagnosed With Alzheimer's, the Same Disease Her Character Allie Had in Movie

Gena Rowlands played the older version of Rachel McAdams' character, Allie, in the 2004 film 'The Notebook.'

The Notebook star Gena Rowlands has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, her son and the movie's director, Nick Cassavetes, reveals. Cassavetes, who directed the 2004 Nicholas Sparks adaptation starring Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams, spoke with Entertainment Weekly about his 93-year-old mother's tragic health setback, which mirrored that of her on-screen character, Allie. It was previously revealed that Britney Spears was initially in the running to play Allie after the pop star's audition tape went viral.

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