Inigo Montoya isn’t putting down his sword just yet.
Almost 40 years after Mandy Patinkin expertly parried and jousted his way to defeating the six-fingered man in the beloved 1987 film “The Princess Bride,” the actor is returning to the world of foils and sabers after being tapped to serve as USA Fencing’s first-ever honorary team captain for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles.
“Fencing is a true craft, a genuine art form, a thrilling discipline. It requires every cell of your mind and body, but particularly your mind,” Patinkin said. “It’s a form of meditation. 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.”
Patinkin’s announcement comes alongside the launch of USA Fencing’s Ambassador Program, where he also serves as a member of the Ambassador Council. Created in collaboration with the International Fencing Federation and World Para Fencing, ambassadors will introduce new audiences to the sport ahead of the Games returning to American soil after more than three decades.
“When Mandy and I first spoke, what struck me wasn’t the movie, though we got there eventually,” said Phil Andrews, CEO of USA Fencing. “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.”
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As the honorary team captain, Patinkin will make select appearances at USA Fencing events while supporting the team on their journey to the Games. USA Fencing has been making an outreach push in entertainment industry circles to raise the sport’s profile as the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Olympic Games approach.
Patinkin trained with Olympic fencing coach Henry Harutunian and swordmaster Bob Anderson to prepare for his role in the movie destined to become a contemporary classic, “The Princess Bride,” from director Rob Reiner.
“I can guarantee you that every competitive fencer who has ever fenced is a much better fencer than I ever was or will be,” Patinkin said. “I’m a pretend fencer, the rest of you ladies and gentlemen are the real thing and I bow down to each and every one of you. It is all of you who keep this wonderful tradition alive, and I am honored to be a small part of it.”
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