‘He was a very dear friend’: Cary Elwes on life after The Princess Bride – and losing Rob Reiner
Why it matters: This story intertwines Hollywood's magic with its harsh realities, celebrating a film's legacy amid personal tragedy.
- Cary Elwes describes his career nosedive in 1988, only to be revitalized by Al Pacino's advice to attend the Lee Strasberg Institute, which "changed my life."
- 'The Princess Bride', initially a box office "dud" and a "nightmare to market" according to director Rob Reiner, found its enduring fame a year later on VHS, becoming one of the most beloved movies of all time.
- William Goldman's brilliance is highlighted by Elwes, attributing the film's memorable lines like "As you wish" and "Inconceivable!" to the famed novelist and screenwriter.
- Rob Reiner, a "very dear friend" to Elwes, was tragically found dead last December with his wife, Michele Singer, with their son Nick Reiner later charged with their murder.
- Elwes recently joined a host of Reiner's friends and collaborators, including Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan, at the Oscars to deliver a warmly received tribute to the late director and his wife.
Cary Elwes reflects on the enduring legacy of 'The Princess Bride' and the profound impact of its director, Rob Reiner, whose tragic death and the subsequent murder charge against his son have cast a shadow over their shared history. Elwes credits a chance encounter with Al Pacino for revitalizing his acting career, which coincided with the cult classic status of the film that initially flopped but later became a beloved phenomenon.
