Mandy Patinkin Remembers Rob Reiner's Kindness and Lasting Impact
Mandy Patinkin’s bond with the late director Rob Reiner extended far beyond their collaboration on the 1987 film, The Princess Bride.
“He was truly one of the most generous and kind individuals I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing,” Patinkin, 73, revealed during a Tuesday, December 23, appearance on CBS Mornings. “I was navigating a challenging period at one point, and he contacted Kathryn [Grody], my wife, and myself, and Michele [Singer Reiner], and invited us to dinner, without even mentioning the [difficulties]. He didn’t discuss anything at all; he simply wanted us to know that they were there to support us if we needed it.”
Patinkin also recalled a particular moment during filming for The Princess Bride that has remained with him throughout the years. (He is famously known for his portrayal of Inigo Montoya in the film adaptation of William Goldman’s 1973 novel of the same name.)
“Among the most beautiful things I’ll never forget is that we were on a bus traveling from London to Sheffield [where] we filmed all the castle scenes, and Rob was seated near the front window, and Billy Crystal was beside Rob. Chris Guest was next to me, and I was seated nearby, and these three men possessed an extraordinary ability to recall every single statistic, inning, and play from baseball games when they were 6, 7 [and] 8 years old,” he shared. “They would recount these details, and I was completely astonished. My father was a devoted baseball fan like this. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. And I was also deeply moved by the friendship between these individuals.”
Rob Reiner Offered a Heartfelt Public Tribute to His Son Nick Years Before His Death
“My heart is truly trying to contain the pain, as I can scarcely imagine what they are experiencing, let alone their children, and even people I’ve never met who go to the gym have told me, ‘You know, we can’t stop thinking about it,’” Patinkin concluded. “This isn’t the only time in life that this kind of tragedy occurs. It’s utterly devastating.”
Patinkin’s recent comments followed a week after Rob and Michele were discovered deceased in their Brentwood, California, home with stab wounds on December 14. Their son, Nick Reiner, was arrested shortly thereafter and charged with two counts of first-degree murder. He faces a potential sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole or the death penalty if convicted. (Rob and Michele were also parents to Jake, 34, and Romy, 27, as well as Rob’s adopted daughter, Tracy, 61, from his marriage to his late former wife, Penny Marshall.)
Patinkin was among the celebrities who participated in CBS News: Rob Reiner — Scenes From a Life on Sunday, December 21, honoring Rob’s legacy amidst the tragic news.
“I received this news around 11 o’clock on Sunday night. I was in bed. I was in shock. I didn’t sleep at all. I simply kept crying and weeping. I didn’t know what to do. I didn’t know how to process it. I still don’t know how to process it, and I’m not actively seeking a way to process it,” Patinkin said regarding learning of Rob and Michele’s deaths.
Through tears, Patinkin credited Rob with providing him with a career breakthrough and consistently believing in him.
“Rob consistently strived to help me become the best version of myself,” the Homeland actor said during the episode. “Once, he told me, ‘I just wish you could stop holding yourself back,’ and I haven’t been able to fully achieve that to this day, but I will continue to try. He genuinely cared about my character. He demonstrated it repeatedly. I believe that we can connect with Rob and Michele, and every time we think about this or discuss it, or someone shares a story, he’s present. He will not be forgotten.”
