Cary Elwes once played the most famous groom in movie history. He was Westley in The Princess Bride. But here is the sweet part. His real princess bride is Lisa Marie Kubikoff.
That is not just a fan nickname. Cary shared a wedding photo of her on Instagram and called her “my actual princess bride.” Coming from him, that line hits differently.
Their story began in a fun, unexpected way. They met at a chili cook-off in 1991. There were rides, music, and food. Not exactly a fairy tale castle, but it worked.
Here is the thing many people miss. Lisa Marie Kubikoff is not just a famous man’s wife. She has her own career behind the camera, and a good one.
In this article, we will look at her work, their love story, their daughter, and their life today. Let’s get to know her.
Who Is Lisa Marie Kubikoff?
Lisa Marie Kubikoff is a photographer, a producer, and the wife of actor Cary Elwes. She has been by his side since the early 1990s. That is a long time in any world, but especially in Hollywood.
People search her name for a simple reason. Fans love Cary, so they want to know the woman he chose. And once they look, they find a real career, not just a red carpet smile.
She keeps a low profile. Her husband gets the film premieres and the fan questions. She stays quieter, and that seems to be her choice.
Her work sits behind the camera, not in front of it. That fits her nicely. She shapes the picture instead of posing for it.
And yes, there is that lovely nickname from Cary. “My actual princess bride.” It says a lot in just four words.
Her Work as a Photographer
Photography is Lisa’s main career, and it is the heart of her story. She has a sharp eye, and people in the industry have noticed it.
In 2004, she worked as a stills photographer for MTV. That is a big name to have on your list. It shows she was trusted with real work.
She also did still photography for the 2003 film Wonderland. Her eerie photos appeared in the crime scene part of the movie. That is a mood-heavy job, and she pulled it off.
So what does a stills photographer actually do? They shoot the photos you see on posters and in press kits. They capture scenes while the film is being made.
It sounds simple, but it is not. You must be quiet, quick, and invisible on set. And your photos help sell the whole movie to the world.
Her Other Work in Movies and TV
Photography is not her only skill. Lisa has worn a few different hats in the industry over the years.
She worked as an associate producer on the TV movie Rent Control. She also handled still photography on that same project, in the camera and electrical department.
There is an acting credit too, and it is a small one. She appeared as a partygoer in the 1993 film The Cool Surface. A brief moment, but a fun fact for fans.
So she has tried the front of the camera. She just seems to prefer the back of it. That is where her real talent lives.
Her mix of credits says something nice about her. She understands how films get made from more than one angle. That is rare, and it is useful.
How Lisa and Cary Elwes Met
Now for the fun part. The year was 1991, and the place was the Malibu Chili Cook-Off.
If you have never been, picture this. Food stalls, carnival rides, and live music. It is a laid-back local festival, not a fancy Hollywood party.
Here is the twist. Cary was selling ride tickets there at the time. He used those very tickets to get Lisa’s attention and pull her onto a ride.
That worked. They went on a ride together, and right after, he said something that stuck. He told her, “This is pretty much how it’s going to be. It’s going to be a crazy ride.”
He was not wrong, was he? A few months later, they started dating. And decades on, that line still fits their story perfectly.
Their Long Road to Marriage
Here is something that surprises people. Lisa and Cary did not rush. They dated for nearly ten years before getting married.
They tied the knot in 2000. One source says the wedding took place in June, in France. Cary and Lisa Marie Kubikoff marked their 25th anniversary in June 2025, which lines up nicely with that date.
Maybe that long wait helped. They knew each other well before saying “I do.” No rush, no pressure. Just time.
The sweet posts came later. Cary shared their wedding photo and called Lisa Marie Kubikoff his “actual princess bride.” For their 21st anniversary in 2021, he posted an old snap and called her a “gorgeous and wonderful woman.”
Lisa shares too. She posted a black-and-white photo of them at the 1992 premiere of Bram Stoker’s Dracula, where Cary starred. And for their 22nd anniversary, she called him her “best friend.”
The Secret to Their 25-Year Marriage
So what actually keeps them together? Cary has answered this more than once, and his answers are refreshingly simple.
In a 90265 Magazine interview, he pointed to communication first. He also talked about learning each other’s language of love. And one more thing: they always make time for date night.
More recently, he added another word. Gratitude. He told PEOPLE that “living in gratitude” is a big part of their bond.
He means gratitude for each other, and for what they have built. That is a small idea with a lot of weight behind it.
Why do fans love this? Because none of it sounds fancy. Talk to each other. Go on dates. Be thankful. That is advice anyone can use.
Meet Their Daughter, Dominique Elwes
Lisa Marie Kubikoff and Cary have one child, a daughter named Dominique Elwes. She was born in April 2007, seven years after their wedding.
She is 18 now, and 2025 was a big year for her. She graduated from high school and headed off to college to study film.
She is not waiting around, either. She has already made her first short movie. Her dad is clearly proud, and he said something lovely about it.
“She’s the best production I’ll ever do,” Cary said. For a man with a long film career, that is quite a line.
He gave her simple advice about the industry too. Just be yourself. Don’t try to be anyone else. He believes your uniqueness is what makes you interesting.
And he jokes about the future. He says she will end up a bigger star than him, and he’ll have to talk to her agent. He hopes to work with her one day.
Who Is Her Husband, Cary Elwes?
Let’s talk about Cary himself. He was born in Westminster, London, England, and he is 63.
His big break came in 1987. He played Westley in The Princess Bride, and the role made him famous worldwide. Fans still quote that movie today.
His career kept going strong. He appeared in Robin Hood: Men in Tights, the Saw films, and Netflix’s Stranger Things.
In Stranger Things, he played Mayor Larry Kline of Hawkins. He acted alongside Millie Bobby Brown, David Harbour, and Winona Ryder. Cary once said that role finally made him a cool dad in his daughter’s eyes.
He also wrote a book. His memoir As You Wish had a launch party in West Hollywood in 2014, and Lisa Marie Kubikoff was right there with him.
His newest film is Dead Man’s Wire. It played in select theaters before going wider in January.
Their Family Life Together
He says being away hurts. When he shoots a movie, he feels lost without them. As soon as they yell “Cut!” and send him home, he misses his girls.
They travel together too. The family visited Canoe House in Hawaii, and Cary shared a photo of the trip. He talked about how good it felt to spend time with his “wonderful girls.”
They also enjoy sharing throwback photos online. Old premieres, old smiles, young faces. It is a nice window into a long shared life.
Now they are empty nesters, but it barely feels like it. Dominique still comes home often. As Cary said, “God bless her, she comes home. She likes being with the family so far.”
The Wildfire That Took Their Home
Not everything has been easy. In January, the family lost their house in the California wildfires.
That is a heavy thing to go through. A home holds photos, memories, and years of small daily moments. Losing it all at once is hard.
Yet the same year brought bright spots. They celebrated 25 years of marriage. They watched Dominique graduate and start film school.
Highs and lows, side by side. That was their year in a nutshell.
What carried them? Each other. When the house was gone, the family was still standing. That says more about their bond than any anniversary post could.
What Is Lisa Marie Kubikoff’s Net Worth?
People often ask about money, so let’s cover it honestly. One report puts Lisa Marie Kubikoff’s net worth at around $2 million.
But here is the truth. That number is only an estimate. Celebrity net worth figures are usually guesses, not verified facts.
These sites rarely see real financial records. They estimate based on public work and lifestyle. So treat any figure like a rough idea, not a fact.
What we do know is more useful. Her income comes from her own work — photography and producing. She built a career of her own.
And honestly, the number is not the point. Lisa Marie Kubikoff has her own path in the industry, separate from her husband’s fame. That matters more than a dollar sign.
Where Is Lisa Marie Kubikoff Today?
So where does that leave her in 2026? Still married to Cary, and still going strong after 25 years.
Life looks different now. Their daughter is away at college, chasing her own film dreams. The house is quieter, though Dominique visits plenty.
They are also rebuilding after the fire. That takes time, patience, and each other.
Lisa keeps living the same low-key way she always has. She shares a little on social media, mostly sweet throwbacks. The rest stays private.
Fans admire that steadiness. In a town full of noise, she stays calm and quiet. And after all these years, that quiet strength speaks for itself.
Interesting Facts About Lisa Marie Kubikoff
- Her husband calls her his “actual princess bride.” Cary Elwes played the world’s most famous fictional groom in The Princess Bride — and gave the real title to Lisa Marie Kubikoff on Instagram.
- They met over carnival ride tickets. Cary was selling them at the 1991 Malibu Chili Cook-Off and used them to win her attention.
- He predicted their whole life in one line. Right after their first ride together, he told her, “It’s going to be a crazy ride.”
- She works behind the camera, not in front of it. Lisa Marie Kubikoff is a stills photographer — the person who shoots the images you see on movie posters and in press kits.
- She once shot for MTV. In 2004, she worked as a stills photographer for the network.
- Her creepy photos made it into a real film. Her eerie stills appeared in the crime scene of the 2003 movie Wonderland.
- She has an acting credit too. Lisa played a partygoer in the 1993 film The Cool Surface.
- She’s a producer as well. She served as associate producer on the TV movie Rent Control, and shot the stills for it.
- They dated for nearly ten years before marrying. No rush — they tied the knot in 2000.
- She’s a fan of throwbacks. Lisa once shared a black-and-white photo of the couple at the 1992 premiere of Bram Stoker’s Dracula.
Bottom Line
Let’s pull it all together. Lisa Marie Kubikoff is a photographer, a producer, a wife, and a mom.
Yes, she is married to a famous actor. But she has her own career, her own eye, and her own place in the film world.
We looked at her work, her chili cook-off meeting, her long wait to marry, and her 25-year bond with Cary. We also met their daughter and saw a tough year met with real strength.
Their marriage story stands out for a simple reason. It is not flashy. It is just steady, kind, and real.
(FAQs)
Who is Lisa Marie Kubikoff?
She is a photographer and producer, and the wife of actor Cary Elwes. They have been married since 2000 and share a daughter, Dominique.
How did Lisa Marie Kubikoff meet Cary Elwes?
They met at the Malibu Chili Cook-Off in 1991. Cary was selling ride tickets and used them to get her on a ride with him.
How long have Lisa and Cary Elwes been married?
They celebrated 25 years of marriage in June 2025. They also dated for nearly ten years before the wedding.
What does Lisa Marie Kubikoff do for work?
She is a stills photographer and producer. She shot for MTV in 2004 and did the crime scene stills for the film Wonderland.
Do Lisa and Cary Elwes have children?
Yes, one daughter named Dominique, born in April 2007. She is now studying film in college and has made her first short movie.
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