American actress Gina Rowlands died at the age of 94

Rowlands died surrounded by her family at her home in Indian Wells, California, TMZ reported.

American actress Gina Rowlands died at the age of 94. She is best known for appearing in the films of her first husband, director John Cassavetes, and has won numerous awards.

No official cause of death was given, but Rowlands' son Nick Cassavetes said in June that she had been suffering from Alzheimer's disease for the past five years.

Rowlands appeared in 10 John Cassavetes films and was married to him for 35 years until his death in 1989.

Her role in his 1974 film Woman Under the Influence, in which she played a housewife whose mental health is failing, earned her a Golden Globe and the first of two Academy Award nominations for best actress.

Her second Oscar nomination came for the title role in 1980's Gloria.

Her career also included appearances in theatre and television, the latter of which won her four Emmy Awards and another Golden Globe.

Rowlands' son Nick directed her in the 2004 romantic drama The Notebook. She retired from the profession in 2015, the same year she received an honorary Academy Award. | BGNES