Cary Elwes Pens Heartfelt Tribute to Rob and Michele Reiner, Recalling Their Enduring Impact
The Princess Bride star Cary Elwes is honoring Rob Reiner and his wife Michele Singer Reiner following their devastating passing.
Elwes, 63, shared a message on Instagram Monday, December 29, to commemorate the celebrated director, noting that he could finally express his “sorrow into words” now that “sufficient time has elapsed.”
“I was 24 when I initially met Rob Reiner on The Princess Bride. And from that very first encounter I developed a deep affection for him,” the actor began. “I was already a fan of his work, so meeting him in person was a dream realized. As we began spending more time together, I knew this was someone I wanted in my life. I also recognized that by casting me as Westley, he was granting me the keys to success. The first thing I observed about Rob was that he openly displayed his emotions. This was a man who felt profoundly. Whose heart was brimming with love and compassion. He wasn’t impressed by how much wealth you possessed or if you had a privileged background. He simply wanted to know if you were a ‘good person.’ He consistently sought to find the best qualities in people. He consistently sought to find the best qualities in people. And if that person faced difficulties, he felt empathy for them. He cherished his family and friends immensely.”
Directed by Reiner, Elwes portrayed 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 malevolent Prince Humperdinck (Chris Sarandon). Although initially a modest success at the box office, the film — which is based on the novel by William Goldman — has since been recognized as a beloved cult classic comedy.
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Elwes described Reiner as a “gifted filmmaker” in his tribute, but added that “what he truly enjoyed the most was the experience itself. He often said, ‘Once the movie is released it belongs to others. But while you are creating it, that’s your time on Earth, so you need to make it worthwhile.’ And indeed, my time with him on The Princess Bride was extraordinary. I can’t recall a single day without laughter. The movie explores themes of love, loyalty and sacrifice—values that Rob held dear. This is one of the many reasons he was the ideal person to direct it.”
Elwes also paid respect to Michele, whom Rob met while filming the 1989 romantic comedy When Harry Met Sally.
“Beyond being a talented photographer, she was an exceptionally caring, intelligent individual,” he wrote. “Deeply devoted to her family and dedicated to uplifting others. To say that they were a remarkable team would be an understatement. Their interest in fame was solely to use it as a platform to highlight causes they believed in, particularly assisting those who were marginalized. In a town where many make promises they don’t keep, they genuinely lived by their principles. Whenever we gathered, we would discuss family, life, movies and politics.”
Elwes stated that Rob enjoyed discovering ways to “bring joy to others,” and that “discovering the happiness” was “essential” to him. He added that making Rob “laugh in return” was comparable to “winning a prize,” describing it as “one of the most beautiful sounds I’ve ever heard—so heartfelt it still echoes in my ears.”
“Thank you Rob and Michele for sharing your life and art with us,” he added. “Because my heart still aches whenever I think of you, I know the grief of losing you too soon will likely never disappear. Certainly, death cannot halt true love, but life feels incomplete without you.”
He concluded his tribute by extending his condolences to Rob’s loved ones. “With this message, my family and I send our deepest sympathies and heartfelt prayers to their family, friends and admirers,” he concluded.
Elwes’ words were accompanied by a collection of throwback videos, which displayed 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 pledge to reunite “25 years from then.”
Rob and Michele were discovered deceased in their Brentwood, California, home on December 14. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner later confirmed that the couple died from “Multiple injuries inflicted by sharp objects.” Rob was 78, Michele was 70.
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The day following their deaths, Rob and Michele’s son Nick Reiner was apprehended on suspicion of his parents’ deaths. 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 has been postponed until January 7, 2026. If convicted, he faces a sentence of 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 his late former wife Penny Marshall.
