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More than two decades ago, The Notebook gave moviegoers a love story for the ages — and after all these years, it still has viewers reaching for the tissues.
The film — an adaptation of Nicholas Sparks’ bestselling novel of the same name and directed by Nick Cassavetes — premiered 21 years ago on June 25, 2004. It grossed more than $118 million globally at the box office, per Box Office Mojo.
The Notebook follows the decades-spanning love story of Allie Hamilton (Rachel McAdams) and Noah Calhoun (Ryan Gosling). Set in the 1940s, the film begins with a whirlwind summer romance between the wealthy Allie and working-class Noah — but despite their intense connection, class differences and familial disapproval drive them apart. Years later, Allie is faced with a difficult decision: marry her fiancé (James Marsden) or pursue a future with the man she’s never stopped loving.
McAdams and Gosling’s undeniable on-screen chemistry resulted in a real-life romance. The couple’s relationship only lasted two years, but Gosling told GQ in 2007 that McAdams was “one of the great loves of my life.”
“People do Rachel and me a disservice by assuming we were anything like the people in that movie,” he said. “Rachel and my love story is a hell of a lot more romantic than that.”
Now, both actors are happily in long-term relationships and have started families of their own. Here’s everything to know about where the cast of The Notebook is now.
Ryan Gosling as Noah Calhoun
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Gosling found his breakout role in playing Noah, a hardworking, soft-spoken man with a poetic soul.
Three years later, he earned his first Oscar nomination for his leading role in Half Nelson. He went on to earn two more Academy Award nominations, one for La La Land and another for Barbie.
Gosling met his now-wife Eva Mendes on the set of 2012’s The Place Beyond the Pines. The couple wed in 2022 after welcoming their two daughters, Esmeralda and Amada, in 2014 and 2016, respectively.
Rachel McAdams as Allie Hamilton
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McAdams shot to fame in 2004 with back-to-back blockbuster hits: Mean Girls and The Notebook.
While the teen comedy had her playing the quintessential queen bee, The Notebook saw McAdams portray Allie, a spirited and adventurous young woman.
The actress went on to star in several more rom-coms and tear-jerkers, including Wedding Crashers, The Time Traveler’s Wife, The Vow and About Time. In 2016, she earned an Oscar nomination for her role in Spotlight, in which she played an investigative journalist.
McAdams shares two children with her longtime partner Jamie Linden, whom she’s been linked to since 2016.
James Garner as Noah Calhoun
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James Garner portrayed the older version of Noah Calhoun in The Notebook.
The actor was 76 when the film premiered and proceeded to work for an additional six years, appearing in 45 episodes of 8 Simple Rules and starring in 2006’s The Ultimate Gift.
Garner was married to Lois Clarke until his death at 86 years old on July 19, 2014. They shared a daughter, Gigi.
Gena Rowlands as Allie Calhoun
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Gena Rowlands played the older version of Allie Calhoun. Her son, Cassavetes, directed The Notebook.
The actress was 74 when The Notebook premiered, and she went on to work for over a decade, most notably starring in 2005’s The Skeleton Key and making appearances on Monk and NCIS.
In 2024, Cassavetes revealed that his mom had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, which Allie also dealt with in the 2004 film.
“I got my mom to play older Allie, and we spent a lot of time talking about Alzheimer’s and wanting to be authentic with it, and now, for the last five years, she’s had Alzheimer’s,” Cassavetes told Entertainment Weekly. “She’s in full dementia. And it’s so crazy — we lived it, she acted it and now it’s on us.”
Rowlands was married to Robert Forrest until her death at 94 years old on Aug. 14, 2024. She shared three children with her first husband John Cassavetes.
James Marsden as Lon Hammond
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Marsden portrayed Allie’s fiancé and picture-perfect Southern gentleman Lon Hammond.
However, his career certainly didn’t end there. The actor is now best known for his starring roles in Hairspray, 27 Dresses, Jury Duty and Paradise.
Marsden is the father of three children. He shares his son Jack and daughter Mary with his ex-wife, Lisa Linde, and his son William with his ex-girlfriend Rose Costa.
The Notebook alum is currently rumored to be dating model Frederique Brons.
Joan Allen as Anne Hamilton
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Joan Allen played Allie’s elegant — and controlling — mother.
Following the romance film, Allen played Pam Landy in the Bourne franchise, starred in 2015’s Room and appeared in all six episodes of Netflix’s 2025 series Zero Day.
Allen was married to Succession star Peter Friedman from 1990 to 2002, per The New York Times. They share one daughter, actress Sadie Friedman.
Sam Shepard as Frank Calhoun
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Sam Shepard portrayed Noah’s hardworking and down-to-earth father.
The actor went on to narrate 2006’s Charlotte’s Web and play supporting roles in movies such as 2012’s Mud and 2013’s August: Osage County.
Shepard died at 73 years old on July 27, 2017, from ALS complications. He is survived by his three children: Jesse Mojo, from his marriage to actress O-Lan Jones, as well as Hannah Jane and Samuel Walker from his longtime relationship with Jessica Lange.
