Cary Elwes is the third son born to interior designer Tessa Kennedy and the late portrait painter Dominic Elwes, and is the brother of producer Cassian Elwes. He grew up in London and attended Harrow. After graduating from Harrow, he moved to the US and studied acting at Sarah Lawrence College. He left school after several years to begin his film career. Cary is well respected by colleagues and fans alike and considered by many to be one of the finest young actors working today. He is interested in history and says, "It's deliberate that a lot of my films have been period pieces". he is politically active for causes he believes in, such as protecting the environment and helping Native American peoples. He is married to Lisa Marie Kurbikoff, a stills photographer.