Robert Forrest entered Gena Rowlands’ life as her second husband, bringing companionship and support to the claimed actress in her later years.
Key Takeaways
- Robert Forrest and Gena Rowlands married in 2012.
- Gena Rowlands and John Cassavetes had a significant personal and professional partnership, collaborating on 10 films and helping to define American independent cinema in the 1970s and 1980s.
- While Robert maintained a low profile, he provided support and companionship to Rowlands in her later years.
While less is publicly known about Forrest compared to Rowlands’ first husband, John Cassavetes, he played an essential role in her life story.
Forrest and Rowlands had a long history before their marriage.
He was a close friend of Rowlands and Cassavetes for many years before becoming romantically involved with the actress.
After Cassavetes passed away in 1989, Forrest remained a trusted partner to Rowlands as she went through widowhood.
It wasn’t until 2012, over two decades after Cassavetes’ de*th, that Rowlands and Forrest tied the knot.
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, he was clearly supportive of Rowlands’ life.
He accompanied her to industry events and stood by her side as she continued working 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.
Though not as widely known as John, Robert provided companionship and care to one of Hollywood’s most respected actresses in her legendary career and life.
His presence allowed Rowlands to find love again after losing her famous first husband.
Gena Rowlands’ First Marriage With John Cassavetes
Before her marriage to Robert Forrest, Gena Rowlands shared a legendary 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 almost 35 years until Cassavetes’ demise in 1989.
Rowlands and Cassavetes’ marriage was marked by intense creative collaboration.
They worked together on 10 films, including classics like “A Woman Under the Influence” and “Gloria,” 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 three followed in their parents’ footsteps, pursuing 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 own 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
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Gena Rowlands referred to her second husband, Robert Forrest, as “Bob.”
- She was born to parents Edwin Myrwyn Rowlands and Lady Rowlands.
- Genn Rowlands had an estimated net worth of around $15 million to $20 million.
