Lady Rowlands

Lady Rowlands (born Mary Allen Neal; April 12, 1904 – May 28, 1999) was an American film actress. Most of her work came in the films of John Cassavetes, who was married to her daughter, actress Gena Rowlands.

Life and career Rowlands was the daughter of Tennessee Virginia (née Hickey) and William Joel Neal, who was of Irish descent. She was married to Edwin Myrwyn Rowlands, a Welsh-American banker and statesman, with whom she lived in Cambria, Wisconsin. They had two children, David and Virginia (later known as Gena Rowlands). She lived as a housewife, but practiced music, acting and painting as hobbies.

Rowlands later moved to California along with her daughter and son-in-law, actor John Cassavetes.

Aside from her work with Cassavetes, Rowlands also appeared in two television movies and had a role in the film Ted & Venus (1991).

Her grandchildren, Nick Cassavetes, Alexandra Cassavetes and Zoe Cassavetes, are all actors and film directors.

Filmography Year Title Role Notes1971 Minnie and Moskowitz Georgia Moore 1974 Unwed Father TV movie The Teacher Gossiping Lady 2 A Woman Under the Influence Martha Mortensen 1977 Opening Night Melva Drake 1978 Dr. Strange Mrs. Sullivan 1991 Ted & Venus Linda's Grandmother (final film role)