Gena Rowlands — most well-known from “The Pocket book” — is unfortunately battling Alzheimer’s illness … a heartbreaking replace after she portrayed a key character with the identical illness.

The actress’ son and ‘Pocket book’ director Nick Cassavetes shared the information Tuesday with Leisure Weekly — this whereas celebrating the twentieth anniversary of his beloved and iconic romance flick … which he directed and his mom starred in as Allie in outdated age.

NC says … “I obtained my mother to play older Allie, and we spent plenty of time speaking about Alzheimer’s and desirous to be genuine with it, and now, for the final 5 years, she’s had Alzheimer’s. She’s in full dementia. And it is so loopy — we lived it, she acted it, and now it is on us.”

Bear in mind … the massive display screen adaptation of the Nicholas Sparks‘ romance novel starred James Garner as Duke, a resident in a nursing dwelling telling Gena’s Allie a love story … which in fact additionally starred Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams.

By the top of the movie, it is revealed that Duke is definitely the older model of Ryan’s Noah character … and he is making an attempt to assist older Allie regain her recollections.

It is a tearjerker, to say the least … and with this newest real-life twist, doubly so.

Whereas “The Pocket book” could also be hitting a bit too near dwelling for Gena and her family members, Nick advised the outlet he is happy with their flick … and that it nonetheless holds up 2 many years later.

He continued … “It is all the time a shock to listen to that as a lot time has passed by because it has, however it is sensible. I am simply glad that it exists. It appears to have labored and I am very happy with it.”

Gena — the daughter of actress Girl Rowlands, who was additionally recognized with Alzheimer’s earlier than her dying — earned 4 Emmy awards, 2 Golden Globes, and a pair of Oscar nominations earlier than retiring in 2015.

She collaborated together with her filmmaker husband, John Cassavetes, on various events — together with on “A Girl Underneath the Affect” and “Gloria.”