Mandy Patinkin is opening up about the distress he was in after learning of Rob and Michele Reiner’s deaths.
On Sunday, the 73-year-old actor, who starred in Rob’s 1987 film The Princess Bride as Inigo Montoya, joined other Hollywood stars in memorializing Rob and Michele in CBS News: Rob Reiner — Scenes From a Life. In the televised special, Mandy reflected on learning the tragic news of his friends’ deaths — a revelation that left him “wailing and crying” that fateful Sunday night:
“I heard this news at about 11-something on Sunday night. I was in bed. I was in shock. 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.”
“Inconceivable” was the only word that came to mind for Many when reflecting on the brutal murders… it’s a word The Princess Bride character Vizzini is famous for uttering throughout the film.
Related: Inside Rob & Michele Reiner’s Final Dinner With Maria Shriver
While reflecting on the film, he shared a standout memory Rob left him with:
“If I had to convince somebody to watch The Princess Bride, I would say exactly what Rob said to me when I questioned him, ‘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.’”
The actor broke into tears while recalling being invited to LA to see the first cut of the film nearly 40 years ago:
“We’re sitting there in this screening room, and the film was over, and I said, ‘I never dreamed I would get to be in something like this.’ I didn’t even have time to dream, and he made that dream for me.”
Mandy went on to reflect on his many years of friendship with Rob:
“Rob worked hard to try to get me to be the best human being I could be. One time he said to me, ‘I just wish you could get out of your own way,’ and 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.”
And while the famed Hollywood director and his wife may no be physically gone, Many believes they will live on in spirit:
“I believe that we can connect with Rob and Michele, and every time we’re thinking about this or talking about it or anyone tells a story, he’s here. He will not be forgotten.”
Watch more (below):
Our hearts continue to be with each and every one of Rob and Michele’s loved ones during this unimaginable time. Rest in peace.
[Images via CBS News & 20th Century Fox/YouTube, & MEGA/WENN]
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