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Nicholas Sparks Reacts to ‘The Notebook’ Actress Gena Rowlands’ Alzheimer’s Diagnosis

Calling the illness a ‘cruel disease,’ Nicholas honored Gena in a touching social media tribute.

Noting that he is “truly honored to have worked with such a talented artist,” Nicholas offered his “thoughts and prayers” to Gena and her family “during this challenging time.” The Notebook director Nick Cassavetes is Gena’s son, and he recently revealed his mother’s diagnosis during an interview with Entertainment Weekly. “We go to reshoots, and now it’s one of those things where mama’s pissed, and I had asked her, ‘Can you do it, mom?’ She goes, ‘I can do anything,'” the filmmaker said, before adding, “I promise you, on my father’s life, this is true: Teardrops came flying out of her eyes when she saw [James], and she burst into tears.”

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