Robert Forrest entered Gena Rowlands’ life as her second husband.
Forrest and Rowlands shared a long history before their marriage. He had been a close friend of both Rowlands and Cassavetes for many years before becoming romantically involved with the actress.
Although less is known about Forrest compared to Rowlands’ first husband, John Cassavetes, he played a significant role in her life.
After Cassavetes’ passing in 1989, Forrest remained Rowlands’ trusted confidant as she navigated the challenges of widowhood.
It wasn’t until 2012, over two decades after Cassavetes’ demise, that Rowlands and Forrest married. By that time, Forrest had retired from his career as a businessman.
In the years following their marriage, the couple made occasional public appearances together, including attending film premieres for Rowlands’ projects, such as The Notebook and Hysterical Blindness.
While Forrest kept a relatively low profile, his support for Rowlands was evident.
He accompanied her to industry events and remained by her side as she continued working well into her 80s and early 90s. Their relationship seemed to bring Rowlands happiness and stability in her later years.
Forrest was with Rowlands in her final days, as she passed away at home in Indian Wells, California, on August 14, 2024, at the age of 94. He was by her side, along with her daughter Alexandra, as the family surrounded Rowlands in her last moments.
First Marriage To John
Before her marriage to Robert Forrest, Gena shared a personal and professional partnership with her first husband, John Cassavetes.
The couple met at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and married on April 9, 1954. Their union lasted nearly 35 years until Cassavetes’ demise in 1989.
Rowlands and Cassavetes’ marriage was marked by intense creative collaboration.
They worked together on ten films, including classics like A Woman Under the Influence and Gloria, both of which earned Rowlands Oscar nominations. Their partnership helped define American independent cinema in the 1970s and 1980s.
Despite the challenges of balancing their personal and professional lives, Rowlands and Cassavetes raised three children together: Nick, Alexandra, and Zoe, all of whom pursued careers in acting and directing.
Their marriage, while creatively fruitful, was not without its struggles. The financial pressures of independent filmmaking often forced them to take on other projects to fund their work.
However, Rowlands later reflected on this period fondly, saying,
“It was never easy financially. But it was easy. We had the best time in the world.”
Gena Rowlands
