Cary Elwes

Born Ivan Simon Cary Elwes on October 26, 1962, in Westminster, London, England, Cary Elwes is the third son of interior designer/shipping heiress Tessa Georgina Kennedy and the late portrait painter Bede Evelyn Dominick Elwes. He was raised in London and attended Harrow before moving to the United States to study drama at Sarah Lawrence College. Elwes embarked on his film career after two years, quickly establishing himself as an actor. His early career saw him frequently cast in period pieces, a deliberate choice reflecting his interest in history, and he later diversified into other genres.

Elwes gained widespread recognition for his leading role as Westley in the 1987 film “The Princess Bride.” This iconic performance was followed by other notable roles, including Robin Hood in “Robin Hood: Men in Tights” (1993) and Dr. Lawrence Gordon in the horror film “Saw” (2004). Throughout his career, he has appeared in a variety of films such as “Glory” (1989), “Days of Thunder” (1990), “Hot Shots!” (1991), “Bram Stoker’s Dracula” (1992), “Twister” (1996), “Kiss the Girls” (1997), “Liar Liar” (1997), “Ella Enchanted” (2004), and “No Strings Attached” (2011). His recent work includes “BlackBerry” (2023) and “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One” (2023).

Beyond his film work, Elwes has also made numerous television appearances, featuring in series like “The X-Files,” “Seinfeld,” “From the Earth to the Moon,” “Psych,” “Life in Pieces,” “Stranger Things,” “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” and “Knuckles.” He has also ventured into production roles, serving as a producer for films like “Elvis & Nixon” (2016) and an associate producer for “Leather Jackets” (1991). Elwes is respected by his colleagues and audience alike, and he is known for his political activism, supporting causes such as environmental protection and Native American rights. He is married to Lisa Marie Kurbikoff, a stills photographer, and they have one child.