Cary Elwes, the star of the beloved film The Princess Bride, has publicly shared his grief following the shocking murders of director Rob Reiner and his wife Michele. The couple were discovered deceased at their multi-million-pound Brentwood home on 14 December.
A Hollywood Tragedy Unfolds
The grim discovery was made at the Reiners' $13.5 million estate in the exclusive Brentwood area. Authorities swiftly arrested the couple's son, Nick Reiner, on the same night. He now faces two charges of first-degree murder.
Court documents and family friends have revealed that Nick, 31, had a long and troubled history with substance abuse, first entering rehabilitation at the age of 15. Prior to the incident, he had been living in the guest house on his parents' property after a period of homelessness.
Elwes' Heartfelt Tribute to a Mentor and Friend
In the weeks since the tragedy, numerous friends from the entertainment industry have paid their respects. Now, Cary Elwes, who played the heroic farmhand Westley in Reiner's 1987 classic The Princess Bride, has broken his silence with a poignant Instagram post.
"Enough time has passed that I can finally put my grief into words," Elwes began. He recounted meeting Reiner at age 24, describing it as a "dream come true" and stating he immediately "fell in love with him" as a person.
Elwes characterised Reiner as a deeply feeling man whose heart was "filled with love and compassion." He emphasised that the director was not swayed by wealth or privilege, but simply wanted to know if someone was a "good guy."
Remembering the Joy of Filmmaking
The actor shared a touching insight into Reiner's philosophy, recalling the director's words: "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 affirmed that his time filming The Princess Bride was "beyond great," marked by daily laughter. He also paid tribute to Michele Reiner, describing her as "incredibly loving" and noting that the couple "truly walked" their values in Hollywood.
He fondly remembered Reiner's distinctive, heartfelt laugh, calling it "one of the greatest sounds I’ve ever known" and confessing it "still rings in my ears."
A Community in Mourning
The Elwes tribute joins those from other Hollywood heavyweights, including Martin Scorsese, highlighting the profound impact the Reiners had on their community. The couple were known for their deep involvement in both the film industry and political activism.
As the legal proceedings against Nick Reiner commence, the focus for many remains on celebrating the lives and legacy of Rob and Michele. Elwes concluded his message by extending his family's "deepest condolences and heartfelt prayers to their family, friends and fans."
