Rob Reiner remembered by Cary Elwes: 'Llife is pain without you'
- - Rob Reiner remembered by Cary Elwes: 'Llife is pain without you'
Melissa Ruggieri, USA TODAY December 31, 2025 at 12:06 AM
0
Cary Elwes is praising the authentic spirits of Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, as those who didn't just "talk the talk, they truly walked it."
The British actor, who starred as the charismatic hero Westley in Rob Reiner's 1987 cult classic "The Princess Bride," said in a lengthy Instagram post Dec. 29 that he needed some time to process the deaths of the Reiners.
"This was a man who felt deeply," Elwes, 62, wrote. "Whose heart was filled with love and compassion. He wasn't 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.'"
Honoree Rob Reiner and actor Cary Elwes attend the Carl and Rob Reiner Hand and Footprint Ceremony during the 2017 TCM Classic Film Festival on April 7, 2017 in Los Angeles, Calif.
Elwes also mentioned Michele's talents as a photographer and celebrated the pair's passion.
"To say that they were a great team would be an understatement," he continued. "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."
The Reiners were allegedly killed by their son, Nick Reiner, on Dec. 14, who has been charged with two counts of murder. He is being held without bail in solitary confinement at Twin Towers Correctional Facility in Los Angeles.
Elwes was in his mid-20s when he joined the cast of "The Princess Bride" and said upon first meeting Rob Reiner, "I fell in love with him … 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 day after the Reiners were found dead in their Brentwood, California, home, Elwes posted on Instagram a black and white photo of chairs on a movie set bearing the names of him and the filmmaker-philanthropist with the somber message, "no words."
1989: "When Harry Met Sally..."Rob Reiner directed iconic Hollywood films throughout his career. Who can forget this classic deli scene with Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal (and Reiner's mother Estelle Reiner) in the 1989 film "When Harry Met Sally..."?Look back at the director's iconic films through his career.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>1989: "When Harry Met Sally..."Rob Reiner directed iconic Hollywood films throughout his career. Who can forget this classic deli scene with Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal (and Reiner's mother Estelle Reiner) in the 1989 film "When Harry Met Sally..."?Look back at the director's iconic films through his career.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/dv_gtyD4rAb3Wx2iC.0F2Q--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04MzQ-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/97dfc813de3de67ba72c8f21880b2bb7 class=caas-img data-headline="These Rob Reiner movies became Hollywood classics" data-caption="
1989: "When Harry Met Sally..."Rob Reiner directed iconic Hollywood films throughout his career. Who can forget this classic deli scene with Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal (and Reiner's mother Estelle Reiner) in the 1989 film "When Harry Met Sally..."?Look back at the director's iconic films through his career.
">1989: "When Harry Met Sally..."Rob Reiner directed iconic Hollywood films throughout his career. Who can forget this classic deli scene with Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal (and Reiner's mother Estelle Reiner) in the 1989 film "When Harry Met Sally..."?Look back at the director's iconic films through his career.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/dv_gtyD4rAb3Wx2iC.0F2Q--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04MzQ-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/97dfc813de3de67ba72c8f21880b2bb7 class=caas-img>1984: "This is Spinal Tap"
" style=padding-bottom:56%>1984: "This is Spinal Tap"
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/iTXu.qwEZrfc8DF_f7A8gg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04MjE-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/8c7be3a61fbcd6ac817284fa2944e639 class=caas-img data-headline="These Rob Reiner movies became Hollywood classics" data-caption="
1984: "This is Spinal Tap"
">1984: "This is Spinal Tap"
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/iTXu.qwEZrfc8DF_f7A8gg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04MjE-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/8c7be3a61fbcd6ac817284fa2944e639 class=caas-img>1986: "Stand by Me"
" style=padding-bottom:56%>1986: "Stand by Me"
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/ay74okMQZKg74PWey6CGuQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04MzY-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/f3ae33fde1f9a87074a75c49f3ca5342 class=caas-img data-headline="These Rob Reiner movies became Hollywood classics" data-caption="
1986: "Stand by Me"
">1986: "Stand by Me"
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/ay74okMQZKg74PWey6CGuQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04MzY-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/f3ae33fde1f9a87074a75c49f3ca5342 class=caas-img>1990: "Misery"
" style=padding-bottom:56%>1990: "Misery"
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/dWpFDdV6mWM6W_YmiyYXSg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mzk-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/3788ecaeb96ecabce428f77d420d07bc class=caas-img data-headline="These Rob Reiner movies became Hollywood classics" data-caption="
1990: "Misery"
">1990: "Misery"
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/dWpFDdV6mWM6W_YmiyYXSg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mzk-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/3788ecaeb96ecabce428f77d420d07bc class=caas-img>1992: "A Few Good Men"
" style=padding-bottom:56%>1992: "A Few Good Men"
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/mG6mpnun5.59m7k4zo9wog--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/edfd316b60e37b5d4261eef6400e86b5 class=caas-img data-headline="These Rob Reiner movies became Hollywood classics" data-caption="
1992: "A Few Good Men"
">1992: "A Few Good Men"
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/mG6mpnun5.59m7k4zo9wog--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/edfd316b60e37b5d4261eef6400e86b5 class=caas-img>1995: "The American President"
" style=padding-bottom:56%>1995: "The American President"
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/BCJtMe0uU8MwisQy8SwUMA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04MzY-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/79146bb943672a40325c0d473e524be1 class=caas-img data-headline="These Rob Reiner movies became Hollywood classics" data-caption="
1995: "The American President"
">1995: "The American President"
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/BCJtMe0uU8MwisQy8SwUMA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04MzY-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/79146bb943672a40325c0d473e524be1 class=caas-img>1996: "Ghosts of Mississippi"
" style=padding-bottom:56%>1996: "Ghosts of Mississippi"
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/x_z8djIY0pxAe2Sh8tlJ8g--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04NDI-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/e95c6dd2e9d7dfc4d6a0624b7162ef7e class=caas-img data-headline="These Rob Reiner movies became Hollywood classics" data-caption="
1996: "Ghosts of Mississippi"
">1996: "Ghosts of Mississippi"
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/x_z8djIY0pxAe2Sh8tlJ8g--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04NDI-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/e95c6dd2e9d7dfc4d6a0624b7162ef7e class=caas-img>1999: "The Story of Us"
" style=padding-bottom:56%>1999: "The Story of Us"
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/XBPEN.wp_tLFRLk7Whtg.Q--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04MTk-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/afd25f1f1077ba09f2757cf44ee83daa class=caas-img data-headline="These Rob Reiner movies became Hollywood classics" data-caption="
1999: "The Story of Us"
">1999: "The Story of Us"
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/XBPEN.wp_tLFRLk7Whtg.Q--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04MTk-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/afd25f1f1077ba09f2757cf44ee83daa class=caas-img>2003: "Alex & Emma"
" style=padding-bottom:56%>2003: "Alex & Emma"
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/.bCN8s.fGjoZ0qxKjQ.x5Q--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04MTY-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/54ce7a10a37f887f6954b3ab53c9baaa class=caas-img data-headline="These Rob Reiner movies became Hollywood classics" data-caption="
2003: "Alex & Emma"
">2003: "Alex & Emma"
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/.bCN8s.fGjoZ0qxKjQ.x5Q--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04MTY-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/54ce7a10a37f887f6954b3ab53c9baaa class=caas-img>2005: "Rumor Has It..."
" style=padding-bottom:56%>2005: "Rumor Has It..."
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/1CCdgCeBXnNKdU0J47tK_A--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjk-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/b19cc7c36f22425e2242a3dd68d57ce5 class=caas-img data-headline="These Rob Reiner movies became Hollywood classics" data-caption="
2005: "Rumor Has It..."
">2005: "Rumor Has It..."
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/1CCdgCeBXnNKdU0J47tK_A--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjk-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/b19cc7c36f22425e2242a3dd68d57ce5 class=caas-img>Director Bob Reiner on the set of the motion picture "Rumor Has It..."
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/DQ8fZGf.SD60vep3Aiz7Wg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xMDk5/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/5f66e52080069551d99db4f9c8053d8b class=caas-img data-headline="These Rob Reiner movies became Hollywood classics" data-caption="
Director Bob Reiner on the set of the motion picture "Rumor Has It..."
">Director Bob Reiner on the set of the motion picture "Rumor Has It..."
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/DQ8fZGf.SD60vep3Aiz7Wg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xMDk5/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/5f66e52080069551d99db4f9c8053d8b class=caas-img>2007: "The Bucket List"
" style=padding-bottom:56%>2007: "The Bucket List"
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/kxWw_iyx52ImzvdANPzXhw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04MjU-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/45b6aead54ce66d32faa979870d6c08b class=caas-img data-headline="These Rob Reiner movies became Hollywood classics" data-caption="
2007: "The Bucket List"
">2007: "The Bucket List"
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/kxWw_iyx52ImzvdANPzXhw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04MjU-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/45b6aead54ce66d32faa979870d6c08b class=caas-img>2012: "The Magic of Belle Isle"
" style=padding-bottom:56%>2012: "The Magic of Belle Isle"
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/Cln5U4VuCC8WyPfFrwKaXw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/85af1258bb9e64aafdad615e5a8274d1 class=caas-img data-headline="These Rob Reiner movies became Hollywood classics" data-caption="
2012: "The Magic of Belle Isle"
">2012: "The Magic of Belle Isle"
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/Cln5U4VuCC8WyPfFrwKaXw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/85af1258bb9e64aafdad615e5a8274d1 class=caas-img>2014: "And So It Goes"
" style=padding-bottom:56%>2014: "And So It Goes"
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/8mh_5fTpebQUdNFnnjhfPA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04MjY-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/4c8f0dd5133173d4606461f8b59e86bf class=caas-img data-headline="These Rob Reiner movies became Hollywood classics" data-caption="
2014: "And So It Goes"
">2014: "And So It Goes"
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/8mh_5fTpebQUdNFnnjhfPA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04MjY-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/4c8f0dd5133173d4606461f8b59e86bf class=caas-img>2025: "Spinal Tap II: The End Continues"
" style=padding-bottom:56%>2025: "Spinal Tap II: The End Continues"
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/6f5bc8YrCyVGxBVEtIbrbg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/06ffcac5e35f61d2a73d0710c484ff9a class=caas-img data-headline="These Rob Reiner movies became Hollywood classics" data-caption="
2025: "Spinal Tap II: The End Continues"
">2025: "Spinal Tap II: The End Continues"
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/6f5bc8YrCyVGxBVEtIbrbg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/06ffcac5e35f61d2a73d0710c484ff9a class=caas-img>
1 / 15These Rob Reiner movies became Hollywood classics
1989: "When Harry Met Sally..."Rob Reiner directed iconic Hollywood films throughout his career. Who can forget this classic deli scene with Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal (and Reiner's mother Estelle Reiner) in the 1989 film "When Harry Met Sally..."?Look back at the director's iconic films through his career.
Elwes' tribute joins others who worked with Reiner, including his "Princess Bride" co-star Mandy Patinkin, John Cusack ("The Sure Thing"), Corey Feldman ("Stand By Me"), James Woods ("Ghosts of Mississippi"), Michael Douglas ("The American President," "And So It Goes") and Paul McCartney, whom Reiner directed in an extensive cameo in this year's "Spinal Tap II: The End Continues."
At the close of his recent post, which also included some behind-the-scenes footage from "The Princess Bride," Elwes invoked the essence of a quote from the film, writing, "Sure, death cannot stop true love, but life is pain without you."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Rob Reiner remembered by Cary Elwes with sweet message
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
