Cary Elwes, the beloved star of The Princess Bride, has shared another profoundly moving tribute to director Rob Reiner on what would have been his former colleague's 79th birthday. The 63-year-old actor, who starred in Reiner's iconic 1987 fantasy epic, continues to publicly mourn the filmmaker following his tragic death last December.
A Tragic Loss for Hollywood
Rob Reiner and his wife Michele were discovered stabbed to death at their Brentwood residence on December 14th. Their 32-year-old son, Nick Reiner, has been formally charged with the murders and is currently awaiting trial after entering a plea of not guilty. The case has shocked the entertainment industry and left many grappling with profound grief.
Emotional Birthday Tribute
On Friday, Elwes took to Instagram to express his ongoing sorrow while commemorating what would have been Reiner's 79th birthday. He posted a poignant photograph from the 25th anniversary celebration of their classic film, accompanied by a heartfelt caption that read: 'Today would have been your 79th birthday. Still hard to believe you're gone. Missing you so much.'
The image showed Reiner flashing his characteristic bright smile alongside Elwes, with a warm hand resting on the actor's shoulder. This visual memory captured the genuine affection between the two collaborators that extended far beyond their professional relationship.
The Princess Bride Legacy
In The Princess Bride, Elwes portrayed the dashing farmhand Westley in the rollicking adventure tale of his quest to win the hand of Princess Buttercup, played by Robin Wright. The film required Westley and his motley crew of fantastical friends to rescue Buttercup from the villainous Prince Humperdinck, portrayed by Chris Sarandon.
Elwes was among numerous Hollywood stars and devoted fans who paid tribute to Reiner following his untimely death last year. In his initial Instagram tribute, the actor wrote: 'Enough time has passed that I can finally put my grief into words.'
Remembering a Compassionate Collaborator
Elwes recalled first meeting Reiner at age 24 during The Princess Bride production, describing it as 'a dream come true' since he was already an admirer of the director's work. 'From that very first meeting I fell in love with him,' Elwes confessed. 'As we began spending more time together I knew this was someone I wanted in my life.'
The actor praised Reiner as someone who 'wore his heart on his sleeve' and possessed extraordinary empathy. 'This was a man who felt deeply. Whose heart was filled with love and compassion,' Elwes wrote. '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."'
A Life Well Lived
According to Elwes, Reiner cherished his family and friends immensely and approached filmmaking with remarkable passion. 'He obviously loved making movies - and was clearly a brilliant filmmaker - but he told me what he really enjoyed the most was the experience itself,' the actor remembered.
Reiner often remarked: '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.' Elwes added: 'And boy was my time with him on The Princess Bride beyond great. I can't remember a single day without laughter.'
A Partnership of Purpose
Elwes also reflected on Reiner's relationship with his 'incredibly loving, intelligent' wife Michele, describing her as 'passionate about her family and about lifting others up.' The Reiners formed what Elwes called a 'great team' whose '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,' Elwes observed. 'Whenever we got together we would talk about family, life, movies and politics. But without fail Rob would always find a way to make us laugh. That was important to him. Finding the joy.'
Legal Proceedings Continue
Nick Reiner appeared in court last week, where his attorney maintained the not guilty plea entered two months after his parents were discovered in their $13.5 million Brentwood home. Recent developments reveal that Nick's siblings are no longer financing his criminal defense as he faces murder charges.
Arrested hours after the killings, Nick Reiner has been held without bail. As the case progresses, with prosecutors confirming it qualifies for the death penalty, his legal representation has transitioned to a court-appointed public defender.
A Lasting Legacy
Elwes concluded his tribute with poignant words: 'And if I could make him laugh in return, I felt like I had won the lottery. His laugh was one of the greatest sounds I've ever known — so heartfelt it still rings in my ears.'
The actor expressed gratitude to the Reiners for 'sharing your life and art with us,' while acknowledging that 'the grief of losing you too soon will likely never go away.' He added: 'Sure, death cannot stop true love but life is pain without you,' before extending 'deepest condolences and heartfelt prayers to their family, friends and fans.'
