Rob Reiner’s legacy is truly one to be celebrated, having directed many iconic films over the years. And that includes the 1987 hit “The Princess Bride.”
With that, Cary Elwes, who portrayed Westley, took to social media on Tuesday, Dec. 30, sharing a long message on his Instagram page along with a video that included some behind-the-scenes clips from filming “The Princess Bride,” paying tribute to Reiner.
Cary Elwes Posts Emotional Tribute On Instagram
“Enough time has passed that I can finally put my grief into words,” Elwes captioned the post. “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. 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 wasnât 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. And if that person had problems he felt bad for them. He loved his family and friends immensely. 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.
“He used to say, ‘Once the movie is released it belongs to other people. But while you are making it, thatâs 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 canât 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.
“Later, while making When Harry Met Sally he met and fell in love with Michele. Besides being a gifted photographer she was an incredibly loving, intelligent person. 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. But without fail Rob would always find a way to make us laugh. That was important to him. Finding the joy. 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.
“Thank you Rob and Michele for sharing your life and art with us. 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 pain without you. âð
︔With this note my family and I send our deepest condolences and heartfelt prayers to their family, friends, and fans.”
Other “Princess Bride” Cast Members Share Touching Tributes
Robin Wright (Buttercup): âI am deeply shocked and devastated. I cannot begin to imagine what the family is experiencing or what they will have to endure in the months and years ahead. It is truly heartbreaking,” she said in a statement to Entertainment Weekly. “Rob was one of the most loving, compassionate, and kind people I have ever known,â she continued. âHe was an extraordinary director and the impact he had on me has stayed with me throughout my career. My heart goes out to his family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time.â
Mandy Patinkin (Inigo Montoya): âHow do we process this unthinkable tragedy? Loss after loss after loss! What is happening to our world? What is happening to our human race?â he said in a statement to PEOPLE. “I canât breathe, but iâm breathing. Iâm howling at the gods every moment. Then I talk to a friend or myself and quiet down and I realize the gods are not to blame, the tsunami of tragedy is the responsibility of human beings. When we were filming the scene in The Princess Bride, where Inigo kills the six fingered man and says: ‘I want my father back your son of a bitch,’ take after take after take Rob kept asking me to do less do less do less. In my sleepless night, I realized he wanted less anger from me to allow my broken heart to be felt. Now Iâm hearing his voice tell us all to do more do more do more to repair the human soul to repair our hearts to repair our country to repair our world. To never give up, to keep fighting, to keep living for every soul taken from this earth, that no longer has the life and breath to raise their voices for a better world, we must raise our voices for them. Follow Robâs example. Let Rob Reinerâs actions guide you. I donât believe we ever recover from such cumulative loss, but I am certain it teaches us to live with a greater purpose to cherish every moment that we are alive to be of service to every aspect of our existence to never give up. When weâre feeling lost say to ourselves what would Rob do and then do it, do it for Rob, do it for all of us.”
Fred Savage (The Grandson): “He found me in a casting room in downtown Chicago and gave me the opportunity to be a part of something that has become so much bigger than anyone could have ever imagined. Who knew those two weeks in a bedroom set on the Shepperton Studio lot would last forever? His work was a gift to us all and I feel lucky to have been a part of it“
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