Princess Bride actor Cary Elwes says he can “finally put my grief into words” as he paid tribute to director Rob Reiner who, along with his wife, Michele Reiner, died Dec. 14. 

Taking to Instagram on Monday, Elwes shared footage from the set of the 1987 film in which he starred and Reiner directed. He went on to pen a tribute reflecting on working with Reiner at the time.

“I was 24 when I first met Rob Reiner on The Princess Bride. And from that very first meeting I fell in love with him,” Elwes wrote. “I was already a fan of his work so meeting him in person was a dream come true. As we began spending more time together I knew this was someone I wanted in my life. I also knew that by casting me as Westley he was giving me the keys to the castle.”

He went on to say that “the first thing” he “noticed about Rob was that he wore his heart on his sleeve. This was a man who felt deeply. Whose heart was filled with love and compassion. He wasn’t impressed by how much money you had or if you had a privileged upbringing. He just wanted to know if you were a ‘good guy.’ He always tried to find the best in people. And if that person had problems he felt bad for them. He loved his family and friends immensely.”

He recalled the “brilliant filmmaker” telling him that what he loved about making films was “the experience itself,” adding that Reiner used to say, “Once the movie is released it belongs to other people. But while you are making it, that’s your time on the planet, so you wanna make it good.”

“And boy was my time with him on The Princess Bride beyond great,” the actor added. “I can’t remember a single day without laughter. The movie is about love, loyalty and sacrifice. Things that Rob held dear. Which is among the many reasons he was the perfect person to direct it.”

Elwes also remembered Reiner’s wife, Michele, whom he described as “a gifted photographer” and an “incredibly loving, intelligent person. Deeply passionate about her family and about lifting others up.

“To say that they were a great team would be an understatement. Their only interest in fame was that it allowed them to shine a light on causes they believed in, especially helping those who were marginalized. In a town where many talk the talk, they truly walked it. Whenever we got together we would talk about family, life, movies and politics. But without fail Rob would always find a way to make us laugh. That was important to him. Finding the joy.”

He continued, “And if I could make him laugh in return, I felt like I had won the lottery. His laugh was one of the greatest sounds I’ve ever known — so heartfelt it still rings in my ears.”

Elwes then finished his tribute thanking Rob and Michele for sharing their “life and art with us.” He added, “Because my heart still aches every time I think of you, I know the grief of losing you too soon will likely never go away. Sure, death cannot stop true love but life is pain without you. With this note my family and I send our deepest condolences and heartfelt prayers to their family, friends and fans.”

The award-winning director and his wife, Michele, were found dead in their Los Angeles home Sunday, Dec. 14. Their youngest son, Nick, was charged with two counts of first-degree murder and taken into custody. Nick did not enter a plea at his first court appearance Dec. 17. His arraignment is scheduled for Jan. 7.