The Notebook is widely regarded as one of the best, most romantic dramas out there.
In 2004, director Nick Cassavettes brought the infamous Nicholas Sparks novel to the big screen and in doing so, created a pop culture phenomenon that has remained iconic over the years.
Despite everything that pulled them apart, the love story of Noah Calhoun (Ryan Gosling) and Allie Hamilton (Rachel McAdams) travelled through a lifetime and is one that still resonates with fans today.
READ MORE: Nicole Kidman’s sexiest moments – wardrobe malfunction, skimpy swimsuit and thigh split
The star-studded cast was made up of three rising stars in Hollywood, alongside two acting legends who already had decades worth of experience under their belt.
To celebrate the beloved romantic classic turning 18 today, Daily Star have looked at where the cast are now.
Ryan Gosling
(Image: Moviestore/REX/Shutterstock)
After his performance as Noah in The Notebook, Ryan Gosling, 41, was catapulted to global stardom and has become one of the most successful actors in the industry.
The actor has been credited for his work in countless blockbusters, but also earned a huge respect from the independent film community, giving memorable performances in 2011 movie’s Drive and The Ides of March.
(Image: Getty Images)
He achieved stellar commercial success after appearing opposite Academy Award winner Emma Stone in the romantic classic Crazy, Stupid, Love (2011), which also prompted the beginning of one of Hollywood’s favourite on screen partnerships.
The pair teamed up again in 2016 for the critically acclaimed musical La La Land, for which both Gangster Squad star’s received incredible reviews.
The Canadian actor proved he could do it all, eventually breaking away from the shadows of The Notebook and securing spots in action films such as The Nice Guys (2016) and Blade Runner 2049 (2017).
(Image: Getty Images)
He is now set to star as Ken in Greta Gerwigs, Barbie, which stars Margot Robbie in the title role.
Gosling met Hollywood beauty Eva Mendes in 2011 on the set of The Place Beyond The Pines and the two began a relationship.
The couple welcomed their first child together in 2014 – a daughter named Esmeralda, and welcomed second daughter Amada in 2016.
Co-star feud
(Image: newline.wireimage.com)
While filming The Notebook, it was made public that Gosling and his co-star Rachel McAdams couldn’t stand each other.
In an interview with VH1, director Nick Cassavetes revealed that the two actors would actually fight on set, admitting Gosling once asked if they could bring in another girl to read for the role of Allie.
However, after they wrapped filming, the pair embarked on a romantic relationship that lasted two years, with Gosling citing McAdams as one of his “great loves.”
Rachel McAdams
(Image: newline.wireimage.com)
2004 was a career-defining year for Rachel McAdams, 43, gaining worldwide recognition for her portrayal of Allie but also as the infamous Regina George in Mean Girls.
The actress quickly became Hollywood’s ‘It Girl’ for romances movies, starring in The Time Traveler’s Wife (2009), The Vow (2012) opposite Channing Tatum and 2013’s About Time.
The Canadian-born star also dabbled in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, starring opposite Benedict Cumberbatch in the first Doctor Strange movie released in 2016.
(Image: WireImage)
She appeared in flicks like Wedding Crashers, Midnight in Paris, Sherlock Holmes and earned as Oscar nomination for her role as journalist Sacha Pfeiffer in the biographical drama, Spotlight (2015).
After her relationship with Gosling officially ended in 2008, McAdams went on to date her Midnight in Paris co-star Michael Sheen from 2010 to 2013.
She eventually found love with screenwriter Jamie Linden in 2016 and the couple share two children together.
James Garner
(Image: Moviestore/REX/Shutterstock)
James Garner played an elderly Noah in The Notebook, but the actor already had a movie career that spanned over five decades before starring in the hit film.
In 1985, Garner found himself nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance in Murphy’s Romance.
He played leading roles in more than 50 theatrical films, including The Great Escape (1963), The Americanization of Emily (1964) opposite Julie Andrews and the 1966 film Grand Prix.
(Image: WireImage for New Line Cinema)
After suffering a severe stroke in 2008, the actor’s career slowed down and his last role came in 2013’s The Ultimate Life.
The actor sadly passed away in 2014 aged 86 after suffering a fatal heart attack.
His real-life love story measured up to that of Noah and Allie’s after he married Lois Clarke two weeks after meeting her in 1956.
The pair share two children, Greta ‘Gigi’ Garner, and Kimberly Garner – Lois’ daughter from a previous relationship, and remained together until his death.
Gena Rowlands
(Image: WireImage)
Four-time Emmy and Golden Globe winner Gena Rowlands starred opposite James Garner as an elderly Allie who was suffering from dementia.
Similar to her on screen love interest, Rowlands’ career spanned several decades, dating back to the late 1950’s.
She is known for her collaborations with her late actor-director husband John Cassavetes in ten films, including 1974 drama A Woman Under the Influence, and Gloria (1980), both of which earned her Oscar nominations for Best Actress.
(Image: Sky Premier)
The now 91-year-old kept busy after starring in The Notebook, appearing in movies like The Skeleton Key (2005), Broken English (2007) and 2012’s Yellow.
Her most recent on screen film appearances came in 2014’s Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks and the 2017 short film Unfortunate Circumstances.
She was married to her first husband, John Cassavetes from 1954 until his death in 1989 and the pair share three children.
Her son Nick directed The Notebook, meaning the mother and son worked together on the film in a sweet move.
In 2012, 23 years after Cassavetes passed away, Rowlands married businessman Robert Forrest.
James Marsden
(Image: New Line Cinema)
After starring as Lon Hammond Jr. in The Notebook, James Marsden, 48, has enjoyed a decorated acting career.
He has found incredible success in romantic roles such as the 2007 movie Enchanted, as well as leading roles in 27 Dresses (2007) opposite Katherine Heigl and in another Nicholas Sparks adaptation, The Best of Me (2014).
The actor has immersed himself in a variety of different characters, from Scott Summers in the X-Men series, Corny Collins in the musical Hairspray (2006), to Jack Lime in Anchorman 2 (2013).
(Image: Getty Images)
For more of the latest showbiz news from Daily Star, make sure you sign up to one of our newsletters here.
Marsden married to Lisa Linde, daughter of country music singer Dennis Linde, in 2000 and the couple welcomed two children during their marriage.
The pair were married for 11 years before divorcing in 2011, citing “irreconcilable differences” as the reason behind their split.
The actor has a son born in 2012 whom he shares with ex-girlfriend Rose Costa and has been dating British musician Edei since 2015.
READ NEXT:
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
