Actor Mandy Patinkin, the man behind the unforgettable “My name is Inigo Montoya” line in The Princess Bride, has a new gig — and this time it’s not just acting. Patinkin has been named the first-ever honorary team captain for USA Fencing, just in time for the sport to take center stage at the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
USA Fencing CEO Phil Andrews said Patinkin’s appointment wasn’t about his famous on-screen swordplay, though that didn’t hurt. What sealed the deal was a deeper connection to the sport.
“When Mandy and I first spoke, what struck me wasn’t the movie, though we got there eventually,” Andrews said. “It was how deeply he understood what this sport gives people: discipline, confidence, a community and a lifetime of joy. We could not ask for a better honorary Team Captain to lead our fencers, and our sport, into a home Games in Los Angeles.”
Andrews’ comments came in an announcement that also featured Patinkin’s own reflections on fencing, which he called “a true craft, a genuine art form, a thrilling discipline.” He emphasized the mental side of the sport, describing it as a form of meditation that requires “every cell of your mind and body, but particularly your mind.”
“It’s not just your physical abilities that count, and they certainly do, but I think the real fun is to get inside the other person’s mind and being, and know when and where they’re going to move before your opponent even knows it,” he added.
Patinkin’s fencing résumé goes well beyond his film credits. For the legendary duel in The Princess Bride, he and co-star Cary Elwes trained for months with Yale fencing coach Henry Harutunian, stunt coordinator Peter Diamond, and British Olympic fencer Bob Anderson. The goal was to perform the entire scene themselves, without stunt doubles or stand-ins.
That meant grueling practice sessions — eight to ten hours a day, according to earlier reports — during which the actors learned to fence both right-handed and left-handed, adding an extra layer of authenticity to the famous confrontation between Inigo Montoya and Westley.
Patinkin has spoken warmly about the experience. In a 2022 interview, he recalled how devastating it felt when director Rob Reiner called “cut, and print” on the fencing scene, knowing it was over.
“I’m such a f*ckin crybaby,” he laughed, getting choked up at the memory. The emotional connection to that moment and to the sport itself runs deep.
“It wasn’t just a scene in a movie,” Patinkin said in the announcement. “It was years of discipline and joy. That’s what fencing is. And now I get to bring that excitement to a whole new generation of athletes.”
For USA Fencing, this is more than a ceremonial gesture. With the Olympics coming to Los Angeles in 2028, the organization is looking to build momentum and visibility for the sport on home soil. Patinkin’s star power and genuine history with fencing could help draw attention to the athletes and the sport itself.
The 2028 Games will mark a return of the Olympics to the U.S., with Los Angeles hosting for the third time. Fencing, a sport in which the U.S. has seen steady growth in recent years, is expected to be among the featured events.
Patinkin’s appointment has been met with enthusiasm from fans who grew up with the film, many of whom see it as a perfect marriage of pop culture and sport. But USA Fencing is likely hoping that the excitement translates beyond nostalgia — bringing new eyes to the athletes competing for spots on the 2028 team.
“We are thrilled to welcome Mandy to the USA Fencing family,” Andrews said. “He embodies the spirit of our sport, and we look forward to having him lead our fencers as they prepare for the biggest stage in athletics.”
Patinkin’s new role starts immediately, and he’s expected to appear at select events leading up to and during the Olympic cycle. For a man who once said the “greatest thing” about his career was “the people I’ve gotten to work with,” this seems like a natural next chapter.
And if there’s one thing the internet loves — and Patinkin knows — it’s a little bit of The Princess Bride nostalgia. Now it comes with a real mission.
Source: www.dailywire.com — https://www.dailywire.com/news/princess-bride-star-takes-on-new-role-ahead-of-2028-olympics-in-u-s