---
name: "Cary Elwes"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/cary-elwes"
fi1m_id: "cary-elwes"
imdb_id: "nm0000144"
tmdb_id: 2130
wikidata_id: "Q311093"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "26 October 1962"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 17
average_fi1m_score: 69
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 17
updated: "2026-10-13T21:37:11.477313+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Cary Elwes

## Identity

Cary Elwes

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/cary-elwes
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** cary-elwes
- **IMDb ID:** nm0000144
- **TMDB ID:** 2130
- **Wikidata ID:** Q311093
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cary_Elwes, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q311093, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000144/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/2130

Actor. Born 26 October 1962 in London, England, UK.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 26 October 1962, London, England, UK
- **Active:** 1987–present
- **Also known as:**  Ivan Simon Cary Elwes 
- **Frequently works with:** [Gary Oldman](https://film.one/person/gary-oldman.md), [Jim Carrey](https://film.one/person/jim-carrey.md), [Robin Wright](https://film.one/person/robin-wright.md)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 69, as actor, over 17 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1980s 84 (2), 1990s 69 (7), 2000s 50 (1), 2010s 77 (1), 2020s 66 (6)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 70 to 64 across 15 titles
- **Score spread:** 3 at 80+, 10 at 60–79, 4 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 3 of 13 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Adventure 7, Action 6, Comedy 6, Drama 6, Animation 3, Fantasy 3
- **Screen time:** 29 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $3,349m across 15 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cary_Elwes, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q311093, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000144/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/2130

## Streaming the US now

- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Glory*](https://film.one/film/glory.md) (82), [*Kevin*](https://film.one/tv/kevin.md) (56), [*The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare*](https://film.one/film/the-ministry-of-ungentlemanly-warfare.md) (55)
- **Disney+:** [*The Princess Bride*](https://film.one/film/the-princess-bride.md) (86), [*A Christmas Carol*](https://film.one/film/a-christmas-carol.md) (50)
- **Netflix:** [*Dead Man's Wire*](https://film.one/film/dead-mans-wire.md) (70), [*Liar Liar*](https://film.one/film/liar-liar.md) (68)
- **The Roku Channel:** [*Twister*](https://film.one/film/twister.md) (64), [*Robin Hood: Men in Tights*](https://film.one/film/robin-hood-men-in-tights.md) (55)
- **AMC+:** [*BlackBerry*](https://film.one/film/blackberry.md) (78)
- **Apple TV:** [*Days of Thunder*](https://film.one/film/days-of-thunder.md) (61)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Cary Elwes

> Cary Elwes makes a convincing swashbuckler without losing his sense of humour. We rate that combination of physical confidence and comic timing, but his later films do not always give him enough to do.

In *The Princess Bride* (1987), Cary Elwes handles the swordplay with enough assurance to leave room for the jokes. As Westley, he makes physical skill and comic timing seem like sensible qualifications for the same job. We rate that combination, and would like to see it called upon more often. The frustration is how little of it some later films ask him to use.

The supporting work began early: *Glory* (1989) and *Days of Thunder* (1990) followed that breakthrough lead. Elwes turned down many similar medieval or pirate roles, though *Robin Hood: Men in Tights* (1993) put him back at the centre of a comedy. The later work extends to horror in *Saw* (2004), alongside the ensemble action films that have become a regular part of his career.

As Russ Wheeler in Tony Scott’s *Days of Thunder*, he joins a film we recommend chiefly to racing enthusiasts: the action works, while the thin writing and neglected romance matter. It is not where we would start with Elwes. Guy Ritchie’s *The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare* (2024) uses him as Brigadier Gubbins, helping send Henry Cavill’s Gus March-Phillips on a mission to sink a ship. We became restless because the cleanly staged action never makes anyone’s choices cost them anything. The company is agreeable, but we would not recommend the film simply for the chance to see him in it.

In Gus Van Sant’s *Dead Man’s Wire* (2026), the shortage is screen time. Elwes is good as Michael Grable, but the part amounts to roughly a scene and a half. We wanted more of him, and of Myha’la’s Linda Page and Kelly Lynch’s Mabel Hall, because their brief scenes suggest a city beyond the siege that the film rarely explores. Van Sant has good reason to stay in the flat, where the tension is, but that leaves capable actors outside the main story. See it for Bill Skarsgård; start with *The Princess Bride* if Elwes is the reason for the evening.

## Biography

Cary Elwes, also credited as Ivan Simon Cary Elwes, is an English actor. Born on 26 October 1962 in London, he was educated at Harrow School before studying drama at Sarah Lawrence College in the United States.

He is known for his leading role as Westley in *The Princess Bride* (1987), as well as appearances in *Robin Hood: Men in Tights* (1993), the *Saw* series, *Bram Stoker's Dracula* (1992), *Liar Liar* (1997) and *Stranger Things* (2016). Recent credits include Brigadier Gubbins 'M' in *The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare* (2024) and Michael Grable in *Dead Man's Wire* (2026). Elwes is the brother of producer Cassian Elwes and artist Damian Elwes, and is married to stills photographer Lisa Marie Kurbikoff.

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com, people.com.*

## On Fi1m (17)

- *Dead Man's Wire* (2026), Fi1m 70, as Michael Grable — [page](https://film.one/film/dead-mans-wire.md)
- *Kevin* (2026), Fi1m 56, as Michael (voice) — [page](https://film.one/tv/kevin.md)
- *Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning* (2025), Fi1m 63, as Denlinger — [page](https://film.one/film/mission-impossible-the-final-reckoning.md)
- *The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare* (2024), Fi1m 55, as Brigadier Gubbins - 'M' — [page](https://film.one/film/the-ministry-of-ungentlemanly-warfare.md)
- *BlackBerry* (2023), Fi1m 78, as Carl Yankowski — [page](https://film.one/film/blackberry.md)
- *Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One* (2023), Fi1m 74, as Denlinger — [page](https://film.one/film/mission-impossible-dead-reckoning-part-one.md)
- *The Adventures of Tintin* (2011), Fi1m 77, as Pilot (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/the-adventures-of-tintin.md)
- *A Christmas Carol* (2009), Fi1m 50, as Portly Gentleman / Dick Wilkins / Fiddler / Business Man (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/a-christmas-carol.md)
- *Liar Liar* (1997), Fi1m 68, as Jerry — [page](https://film.one/film/liar-liar.md)
- *Twister* (1996), Fi1m 64, as Jonas — [page](https://film.one/film/twister.md)
- *Robin Hood: Men in Tights* (1993), Fi1m 55, as Robin Hood — [page](https://film.one/film/robin-hood-men-in-tights.md)
- *The X-Files* (1993), Fi1m 84, as Brad Follmer — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-x-files.md)
- *Bram Stoker's Dracula* (1992), Fi1m 79, as Lord Arthur Holmwood — [page](https://film.one/film/bram-stokers-dracula.md)
- *Hot Shots!* (1991), Fi1m 70, as Kent Gregory — [page](https://film.one/film/hot-shots.md)
- *Days of Thunder* (1990), Fi1m 61, as Russ Wheeler — [page](https://film.one/film/days-of-thunder.md)
- *Glory* (1989), Fi1m 82, as Maj. Cabot Forbes — [page](https://film.one/film/glory.md)
- *The Princess Bride* (1987), Fi1m 86, as Westley — [page](https://film.one/film/the-princess-bride.md)

## Complete filmography (128)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *M.I.A.* (2026), series, as Tim Kincaid
- *Kevin* (2026), series, as Michael (voice) — Fi1m 56, [page](https://film.one/tv/kevin.md)
- *Dead Man's Wire* (2026), as Michael Grable — Fi1m 70, [page](https://film.one/film/dead-mans-wire.md)
- *The Gettysburg Address* (2025), as John P. Jones (voice)
- *Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning* (2025), as Denlinger — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/film/mission-impossible-the-final-reckoning.md)
- *Knuckles* (2024), series, as 'Pistol' Pete Whipple
- *Rebel Moon - Part Two: The Scargiver* (2024), as The King
- *The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare* (2024), as Brigadier Gubbins - 'M' — Fi1m 55, [page](https://film.one/film/the-ministry-of-ungentlemanly-warfare.md)
- *Rebel Moon - Part One: A Child of Fire* (2023), as The King
- *Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One* (2023), as Denlinger — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/film/mission-impossible-dead-reckoning-part-one.md)
- *Sweetwater* (2023), as Ned Irish
- *BlackBerry* (2023), as Carl Yankowski — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/film/blackberry.md)
- *Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre* (2023), as Nathan
- *The Hyperions* (2022), as Professor Ruckus Mandulbaum
- *Last Train to Christmas* (2021), as Roger Towers
- *A Castle for Christmas* (2021), as Myles
- *Burning at Both Ends* (2021), as Jacques · Executive Producer
- *Best Sellers* (2021), as Halpren Nolan
- *The Unholy* (2021), as Bishop Gyles
- *A Virtual Princess Bride Reunion* (2020), as Westley
- *Home Movie: The Princess Bride* (2020), series, as Prince Humperdinck
- *Black Christmas* (2019), as Professor Gelson
- *Why Not Choose Love: A Mary Pickford Manifesto* (2019), as D.W. Griffith
- *Ghost Light* (2018), as Alex Pankhurst
- *Billionaire Boys Club* (2018), as Andy Warhol
- *Don't Sleep* (2017), as Dr. Richard Sommers
- *We Don't Belong Here* (2017), as Frank Harper
- *The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel* (2017), series, as Gavin Hawk — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-marvelous-mrs-maisel.md)
- *Sugar Mountain* (2016), as Jim Huxley
- *The Queen of Spain* (2016), as Gary Jones
- *Elephant Kingdom* (2016), as Rock (voice)
- *Stranger Things* (2016), series, as Mayor Larry Kline — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/tv/stranger-things.md)
- *Indiscretion* (2016), as Jake Simon
- *Being Charlie* (2016), as David Mills
- *Elvis & Nixon* (2016), Screenplay, Producer
- *Lost & Found* (2016), as John Broman
- *The Art of More* (2015), series, as Arthur Davenport
- *Game Changer: The Legacy of Saw* (2015), Thanks
- *Life in Pieces* (2015), series, as Professor Sinclair Wilde
- *H8RZ* (2015), as Principal Donato
- *A Haunting in Cawdor* (2015), as Lawrence O'Neill
- *The Adventures of Puss in Boots* (2015), series, as Guy Fox (voice)
- *Teen Lust* (2014), as John
- *In Security* (2014), as Joshua
- *A Bit of Bad Luck* (2014), as Brooks
- *Behaving Badly* (2014), as Joseph Stevens
- *Reach Me* (2014), as Kersey
- *Cosmos* (2014), series, as Edmond Halley / Robert Hooke (voice)
- *Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox* (2013), as Aquaman (voice)
- *Anna Nicole* (2013), as E. Pierce Marshall
- *She Loves Me Not* (2013), as Brady Olinson
- *Horizon* (2013), as Max Hartman
- *The Story of Luke* (2013), as Paul
- *Hansel and Gretel Get Baked* (2013), as The Meter Man
- *True Love: The Princess Bride Phenomenon* (2012), Actor
- *The Citizen* (2012), as Miller
- *The Oogieloves in the Big Balloon Adventure* (2012), as Bobby Wobbly
- *Perception* (2012), series, as British Intelligence Officer
- *Camilla Dickinson* (2012), as Rafferty Dickinson
- *New Year's Eve* (2011), as Stan's Doctor
- *Hellgate* (2011), as Jeff Mathews
- *The Adventures of Tintin* (2011), as Pilot (voice) — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/film/the-adventures-of-tintin.md)
- *Workaholics* (2011), series, as Fox
- *No Strings Attached* (2011), as Dr. Stephen Metzner
- *Little Murder* (2011), as Barry Fitzgerald
- *Saw 3D* (2010), as Dr. Gordon
- *Psych:9* (2010), as Dr. Clement
- *Flying Lessons* (2010), as Steven Jennings
- *As Good As Dead* (2010), as Ethan
- *A Christmas Carol* (2009), as Portly Gentleman / Dick Wilkins / Fiddler / Business Man (voice) — Fi1m 50, [page](https://film.one/film/a-christmas-carol.md)
- *The Alphabet Killer* (2008), as Capt. Kenneth Shine
- *Walk the Talk* (2007), as Erik
- *Georgia Rule* (2007), as Arnold
- *Factory Girl* (2006), as Sam Green (uncredited)
- *Psych* (2006), series, as Pierre Despereaux, Despereaux
- *Pucked* (2006), as Norman
- *Haskett's Chance* (2006), as Mark Haskett / Chris Dalness
- *Pope John Paul II* (2005), series, as Young Karol Wojtyla
- *Full Disclosure Report* (2005), as Dr. Lawrence Gordon
- *Edison* (2005), as Reigert
- *Neo Ned* (2005), as Dr. Magnuson
- *Saw* (2004), as Lawrence Gordon
- *The Riverman* (2004), as Ted Bundy
- *Ella Enchanted* (2004), as Edgar
- *American Crime* (2004), as Albert Bodine
- *Comic Book Villains* (2002), as Carter · Co-Producer
- *Wish You Were Dead* (2002), as Mac "Macbeth" Wilson
- *The Cat's Meow* (2002), as Thomas Ince
- *Uprising* (2001), as Dr. Fritz Hippler
- *Uprising* (2001), series, as Dr. Fritz Hippler
- *Shadow of the Vampire* (2000), as Fritz Arno Wagner
- *Race Against Time* (2000), as Burke
- *Cradle Will Rock* (1999), as John Houseman
- *Law & Order: Special Victims Unit* (1999), series, as Sidney Truex
- *Family Guy* (1999), series, as Mr. Henderson (voice), Nigel / Guard #1 (voice), Charles Dickens (voice), Cyrano de Bergerac (voice), Edison's Assistant (voice), Chris Martin (voice), Watson (voice) — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/tv/family-guy.md)
- *Batman Beyond* (1999), series, as Paxton Powers (voice)
- *Quest for Camelot* (1998), as Garrett (voice)
- *From the Earth to the Moon* (1998), series, as Michael Collins
- *The Pentagon Wars* (1998), as Colonel James Burton
- *Kiss the Girls* (1997), as Det. Nick Ruskin
- *Liar Liar* (1997), as Jerry — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/film/liar-liar.md)
- *The Informant* (1997), as Lt. David Ferris
- *Twister* (1996), as Jonas — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/film/twister.md)
- *The Outer Limits* (1995), series, as Dr. John 'Jack' Percy Vilmorin York
- *The Jungle Book* (1994), as Captain William Boone
- *The Chase* (1994), as Steve Horsegroovy
- *The X-Files* (1993), series, as Brad Follmer — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-x-files.md)
- *Robin Hood: Men in Tights* (1993), as Robin Hood — Fi1m 55, [page](https://film.one/film/robin-hood-men-in-tights.md)
- *The Crush* (1993), as Nick Eliot
- *Bram Stoker's Dracula* (1992), as Lord Arthur Holmwood — Fi1m 79, [page](https://film.one/film/bram-stokers-dracula.md)
- *Leather Jackets* (1992), as Dobbs · Associate Producer
- *Hot Shots!* (1991), as Kent Gregory — Fi1m 70, [page](https://film.one/film/hot-shots.md)
- *Days of Thunder* (1990), as Russ Wheeler — Fi1m 61, [page](https://film.one/film/days-of-thunder.md)
- *Glory* (1989), as Maj. Cabot Forbes — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/glory.md)
- *Seinfeld* (1989), series, as David Lukner — Fi1m 90, [page](https://film.one/tv/seinfeld.md)
- *Never on Tuesday* (1989), as Tow Truck Driver (uncredited)
- *The Princess Bride* (1987), as Westley — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/film/the-princess-bride.md)
- *Maschenka* (1987), as Ganin
- *Lady Jane* (1986), as Guilford Dudley
- *The Bride* (1985), as Josef
- *Oxford Blues* (1984), as Lionel
- *Another Country* (1984), as James Harcourt
- *Yesterday's Hero* (1979), as Disco Dancer
- *Wonder Woman*, series, as Henry Detmer
- *The Panic*, as Charles Barney
- *Butterfly in the Typewriter*, as Kingsley Amis
- *Very Young Frankenstein*, series, Actor
- *The American Spring*, Actor

## Gallery

- ![Cary Elwes as Michael Grable in Dead Man's Wire (2026)](https://film.one/media/title/484/still-19aaef3de9ed.jpg) Cary Elwes as Michael Grable in *Dead Man's Wire* (2026) — Image via TMDB
- ![Cary Elwes](https://film.one/media/person/7386/gallery-10a026adbde0.jpg) Cary Elwes — GabboT, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/82/Cary_Elwes_September_2015.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Cary Elwes at GalaxyCon Louisville in 2019](https://film.one/media/person/7386/gallery-969ea432fc0e.jpg) Cary Elwes at GalaxyCon Louisville in 2019 — Super Festivals from Ft. Lauderdale, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8e/Cary_Elwes_%2849199419048%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Cary Elwes speaking at the 2013 San Diego Comic Con International, for "Psych", at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, California. Please attribute to](https://film.one/media/person/7386/gallery-5e82ae7273d9.jpg) Cary Elwes speaking at the 2013 San Diego Comic Con International, for "Psych", at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, California. Please attribute to — Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/bd/Cary_Elwes_%289344134141%29.jpg/1280px-Cary_Elwes_%289344134141%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Cary Elwes attending a ceremony for Mel Brooks to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. (2010)](https://film.one/media/person/7386/gallery-8059f1471309.jpg) Cary Elwes attending a ceremony for Mel Brooks to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. (2010) — Angela George at https://www.flickr.com/photos/sharongraphics/, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fe/CaryElwesApr10.jpg/1280px-CaryElwesApr10.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Cary Elwes](https://film.one/media/person/7386/gallery-4674f25218b4.jpg) Cary Elwes — Image via TMDB
- ![Cary Elwes](https://film.one/media/person/7386/gallery-bab2ddef85a5.jpg) Cary Elwes — Image via TMDB
- ![Cary Elwes](https://film.one/media/person/7386/gallery-466c3012e4f3.jpg) Cary Elwes — Image via TMDB
- ![Cary Elwes speaking at the 2014 Phoenix Comicon at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, Arizona. Please attribute to Gage Skidmore if used elsewhere.](https://film.one/media/person/7386/gallery-eff8e99e8290.jpg) Cary Elwes speaking at the 2014 Phoenix Comicon at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, Arizona. Please attribute to Gage Skidmore if used elsewhere. — Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/61/Cary_Elwes_%2814200190307%29.jpg/1280px-Cary_Elwes_%2814200190307%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Cary Elwes - 2018 Atlanta Comic Con](https://film.one/media/person/7386/gallery-7322256f93e8.jpg) Cary Elwes - 2018 Atlanta Comic Con — Thomson200, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/55/Cary_Elwes_-_2018_Atlanta_Comic_Con_1.jpg/1280px-Cary_Elwes_-_2018_Atlanta_Comic_Con_1.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Cary Elwes](https://film.one/media/person/7386/gallery-e48d2ca02bd9.jpg) Cary Elwes — Image via TMDB
- ![Cary Elwes](https://film.one/media/person/7386/gallery-cbaffdab860a.jpg) Cary Elwes — Image via TMDB

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/cary-elwes