Cary Elwes

Cary Elwes is an English actor, producer, and writer. He is widely recognized for his charismatic performances in a range of films, from beloved fairy tale adventures to intense dramas and horror. His career spans decades, making him a familiar face to many generations of moviegoers.

Listen to an introduction about Cary Elwes

Name: Ivan Simon Cary Elwes

Date of birth: October 26, 1962

Height: Approximately 5 feet 11 inches (1.80 m)

Place of birth: Westminster, London, England, United Kingdom

Family:

Parents’ names: Dominick Elwes (father, portrait painter) and Tessa Kennedy (mother, interior designer and shipping heiress).
Siblings: Cassian Elwes (older brother, producer/agent) and Damian Elwes (older brother, artist). He also has half-siblings Milica Kastner and Dillon Kastner through his mother’s subsequent marriage.
Spouse: Lisa Marie Kurbikoff (m. 2000), a stills photographer.
Children: Dominique Elwes (daughter).
Relatives: His paternal relatives include prominent clerics such as Dudley Charles Cary-Elwes (Bishop of Northampton) and Abbot Columba Cary-Elwes.

Profession: Actor, producer, writer, voice actor.

Nationality: British

Religion: He was brought up as a Catholic and was an altar boy at Westminster Cathedral.

College or university attended:

Harrow School, London
London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA) (briefly)
Sarah Lawrence College in New York (studied drama)
Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute in New York

Biography and What Famous For:

Cary Elwes grew up in a prominent family in London. His early life was marked by the separation of his parents and a move to the United States for his acting studies. He quickly began his film career, making an impression with his early roles.

Elwes is most famous for his iconic role as Westley (The Man in Black/Dread Pirate Roberts) in Rob Reiner’s beloved 1987 fantasy-comedy film “The Princess Bride.” His charming and heroic portrayal, coupled with memorable lines, cemented the film’s cult status and made him a recognizable star.

Following this success, Elwes showcased his versatility in a variety of genres:

Period Dramas: He appeared in films such as “Glory” (1989) as Major Cabot Forbes, and “Bram Stoker’s Dracula” (1992) as Lord Arthur Holmwood.
Comedies: He proved his comedic chops by starring as the titular character in Mel Brooks’ parody “Robin Hood: Men in Tights” (1993) and in “Hot Shots!” (1991). He also had a memorable supporting role in “Liar Liar” (1997).
Thrillers/Horror: He took on darker roles, most notably as Dr. Lawrence Gordon in the highly successful and influential horror film “Saw” (2004), a role he reprised in “Saw 3D” (2010). He also appeared in “Kiss the Girls” (1997) and “Twister” (1996).

In recent years, Elwes has continued to work steadily in both film and television. He has had recurring roles in popular TV series such as “Psych” (as Pierre Despereaux) and “Stranger Things” (as Mayor Larry Kline). His recent film appearances include “Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre” (2023), “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One” (2023), and “The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare” (2024).

Beyond acting, he is also an author, having written “As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making of The Princess Bride,” which offers an inside look at the production of his most famous film. He is also known for his political activism, supporting causes like environmental protection and Native American rights.

Have participated (Selected Filmography and Television):

Film: