In a raw and emotional television interview, actor Mandy Patinkin has opened up about the profound grief he experienced following the shocking death of legendary director Rob Reiner. His heartfelt words may forever change how fans view one of Reiner's most beloved cinematic classics.
A Tragic Loss and a Single Word
On Sunday, CBS News aired a special program titled "Rob Reiner — Scenes From a Life," featuring friends and colleagues sharing memories of the late filmmaker. Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, were found deceased in their Brentwood, California, home on December 14. In a devastating turn, their 32-year-old son, Nick, was charged last week with two counts of first-degree murder in connection with the deaths.
Patinkin, who famously portrayed the swordsman Inigo Montoya in Reiner's 1987 classic "The Princess Bride," told CBS that only one word came to mind when he heard the news: "Inconceivable." This is a direct reference to the iconic catchphrase of Vizzini, a character played by Wallace Shawn in the film.
"I heard this news at about 11-something on Sunday night. I was in bed. I was in shock," Patinkin recounted. "I didn't sleep at all. I just kept wailing and crying. 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 looking for how to process it."
From Skepticism to a Dream Realized
The "Homeland" and "Criminal Minds" alum admitted that he initially had doubts about Reiner's vision for "The Princess Bride." He recalled the director's simple pitch: "'It's very simple: Grandpa comes over to his sick grandson to read him a story that says the most important thing in life is true love.'"
Patinkin's skepticism vanished when he attended the first rough cut of the film with the rest of the cast. "We're sitting there in this screening room, and the film was over," Patinkin said, pausing as he began to cry. "And I said, 'I never dreamed I would get to be in something like this.' I didn't even have time to dream it, and he made that dream for me."
He emphasized how the role of Inigo Montoya permanently altered his life's path. "And I don't go anywhere," Patinkin said, "where some child or adult or grandfather comes up to me, and says, 'Say the line.'" The line, of course, is the film's legendary quote: "Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die."
A Director Who Cared Deeply
Patinkin concluded his tribute with deeply personal reflections on Reiner's influence beyond the camera. "Rob worked hard to try to get me to be the best human being I could be," Patinkin said through tears.
He shared a poignant piece of advice Reiner once gave him: "'I just wish you could get out of your own way.'" Patinkin added, "I haven't been able to achieve that to this day. But I won't quit trying. He cared about my nature. He showed it to me over and over again."
This emotional interview not only highlights the tragic loss of a Hollywood icon but also underscores the enduring legacy of a film that continues to captivate audiences across generations, now viewed through a lens of profound personal loss for those who helped create it.
