The Princess Bride star Cary Elwes is paying tribute to Rob Reiner and wife Michele Singer Reiner following their tragic deaths.
Elwes, 63, took to Instagram on Monday, December 29, to honor the legendary director, revealing that he could finally put his “grief into words” now that “enough time has passed.”
“I was 24 when I first met Rob Reiner on The Princess Bride. And from that very first meeting I fell in love with him,” the actor began. “I was already a fan of his work so meeting him in person was a dream come true. As we began spending more time together I knew this was someone I wanted in my life. I also knew that by casting me as Westley he was giving me the keys to the castle. The first thing I noticed about Rob was that he wore his heart on his sleeve. This was a man who felt deeply. Whose heart was filled with love and compassion. He wasn’t impressed by how much money you had or if you had a privileged upbringing. He just wanted to know if you were a ‘good guy.’ He always tried to find the best in people. He always tried to find the best in people. And if that person had problems he felt bad for them. He loved his family and friends immensely.”
Directed by Reiner, Elwes starred as Wesley in 1987’s The Princess Bride, a farmhand who overcomes pirates, giants and a six-fingered man to rescue his beloved Buttercup (Robin Wright) from the evil Prince Humperdinck (Chris Sarandon). Although only a modest success at the box office, the movie — which is based on the novel by William Goldman — has since been deemed a beloved cult classic comedy.
Elwes described Reiner as a “brilliant filmmaker” in his tribute, but added that “what he really enjoyed the most was the experience itself. He used to say, ‘Once the movie is released it belongs to other people. But while you are making it, that’s your time on the planet, so you wanna make it good.’ And boy was my time with him on The Princess Bride beyond great. I can’t remember a single day without laughter. The movie is about love, loyalty and sacrifice. Things that Rob held dear. Which is among the many reasons he was the perfect person to direct it.”
Elwes also paid tribute to Michele, whom Rob met while filming the 1989 rom-com When Harry Met Sally.
“Besides being a gifted photographer she was an incredibly loving, intelligent person,” he wrote. “Deeply passionate about her family and about lifting others up. To say that they were a great team would be an understatement. Their only interest in fame was that it allowed them to shine a light on causes they believed in, especially helping those who were marginalized. In a town where many talk the talk, they truly walked it. Whenever we got together we would talk about family, life, movies and politics.”
Elwes said that Rob loved finding a way to “make people laugh,” and that “finding the joy” was “important” to him. He added that making Rob “laugh in return” was akin to “winning the lottery,” calling it “one of the greatest sounds I’ve ever known — so heartfelt it still rings in my ears.”
“Thank you Rob and Michele for sharing your life and art with us,” he added. “Because my heart still aches every time I think of you, I know the grief of losing you too soon will likely never go away. Sure, death cannot stop true love but life is pan without you. .”
He ended his tribute by sending his well wishes to Rob’s loved ones. “With this note my family and I send our deepest condolences and heartfelt prayers to their family, friends and fans,” he concluded.
Elwes’ words were accompanied by a series of throwback videos, which showed him and Rob on set during the filming of The Princess Bride and the pair reuniting in 2012 for the movie’s 25th anniversary with Wright. In the clip, the trio promise to meet back up again “25 years from now.”
Rob and Michelle were found dead in their Brendwood, California, home on December 14. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner later confirmed that the couple died from “Multiple sharp force injuries.” Rob was 78, Michele was 70.
One day after their deaths, Rob and Michele’s son Nick Reiner was arrested on suspicion of his parents’ murder. He has since been charged with two counts of first-degree murder and is being held without bail. He has not entered a plea and his arraignment was continued until January 7, 2026. If convicted, he faces life in prison or the death penalty.
Rob and Michele were also parents to son Jake, 34, and daughter Romy, 28. Rob was also the father of daughter Tracy, whom he adopted while married to late ex-wife Penny Marshall.
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