Miller's Men: What became of the cast of 'Saving Private Ryan'

Edward Burns as Private Reiben

Possibly more (or at least differently) than any of the other Miller's Men, Ed Burns earned his way onto "Ryan" through a short, meteoric rise in the independent film scene, having directed and starred in two critically acclaimed films, "The Brothers McMullen" and "She's the One."

As an actor, Burns' turn as Private Richard Rieben was only his third role and the first in a film directed by someone other than himself, so in a way, this was Burns' coming-out party as an actor, but watching him as the cynical Rieben, Burns acquits himself as an old pro with a delivery that never felt "new."

After the success of "Ryan," Burns would bounce back and forth between directing for himself and acting for others but never quite earned his place as a marquee name. As he began with independent film, Burns seems comfortable in remaining there, with the occasional high-profile project, such as his limited series "Public Morals" (executive produced by Spielberg) in 2015.

Barry Pepper as Private Jackson

With handsome looks and an affable, down-home charm, Barry Pepper seemed primed for success with his second appearance in a major Hollywood film — the first being the 1996 Howie Long actioner "Firestorm" — for Spielberg.

As sniper Private Daniel Jackson, Pepper oozed a sense of cool, a grace under literal fire while showing valor straight through his final scene, which for all its tension and tragedy ranks among one of the best in "Ryan."

Unfortunately for Pepper, some of his choices would prove to partially hinder his career. After a starring role in the disastrous sci-fi turkey "Battlefield Earth," Pepper fell off the radar as a leading man, but that didn't mean he was failing to put in meaningful work. Appearing in films such as "True Grit" and "25th Hour," along with an Emmy-winning turn in a Canadian-American miniseries "The Kennedys," Pepper has established himself as a character actor with a solid résumé.

Adam Goldberg as Private Mellish

A veteran supporting actor, Adam Goldberg found himself in a fair amount of films before "Ryan," including Richard Linklater's coming-of-age classic "Dazed and Confused." Goldberg's tilt toward comedic roles, including a recurring role as Chandler’s terrible roommate on "Friends," made him a natural fit for the wisecracking Private Stanley Mellish.

Despite his comedic background, Goldberg was no slouch for drama, as was evidenced by his portrayal of Mellish, whose end was both tragic and somber, as he struggled but ultimately failed to survive in a fight with a German soldier during the third act of "Ryan."

Post "Ryan," Goldberg stayed active as a supporting actor, with a minor if not memorable career highlight in a leading role in "The Hebrew Hammer," a spoof of '70s 'blaxploitation' action films.

Vin Diesel as Private Caparzo

In 1994, a relatively unknown actor calling himself Vin Diesel wrote, produced and directed a short film that somehow happened to catch the eye of Spielberg. The film, "Multi-Facial," depicts the struggles of a multiracial actor (Diesel) as he auditions for roles of different ethnicities, one of which included an Italian man.

In a case of art imitating life, Spielberg took notice and three years later cast Diesel as Private Adrian Caparzo. Being Diesel's first major film role, it also made him relatively expendable, which in the case of Caparzo happened in the first act of the film.

Despite Diesel's early exit from the film, he made more than enough of an impression to send his career on an upward trajectory, due equally to his diverse leading man looks and distinctive gravelly voice. After "Ryan," Diesel took the route of action hero, with prime roles in "Pitch Black" and its two sequels, the "xXx" films, and his hallmark "Fast and the Furious" franchise as Dominic Toretto. Diesel also has a home in the wildly popular Marvel Cinematic Universe with voice work as the lovable yet dangerous Groot, with at least two more appearances ahead in next year's "Avengers" sequel and "Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 3," due out in 2020.

Giovanni Ribisi as T-4 Medic Wade

A child actor who dug a niche out for himself on TV during the '80s and '90s in shows like "My Two Dads" and "The Wonder Years," Ribisi had previously worked with Hanks in 1996's "That Thing You Do" before starring in "Saving Private Ryan."

As Medic Irwin Wade, Ribisi was the conscience of Miller's Men, tasked with keeping them alive even as they waded further into danger. Sadly for Wade, he would be the second of Miller's Men to fall, as Miller decides to take out a German machine gun located in a supposedly abandoned radar station.

After "Ryan," Ribisi continued with steady supporting work in a number of quirky, interesting roles. Among the most memorable were roles in "Gone in 60 Seconds" alongside Angelina Jolie and "Lost in Translation." Ribisi would reunite with fellow Miller Man Adam Goldberg in "I Love Your Work." In 2008, Ribisi joined the cast of James Cameron's epic blockbuster "Avatar" and is currently cast in the long-awaited sequels, due out in 2020 and 2021.

Jeremy Davies as Corporal Upham

With his innocent, boyish looks, Davies' earlier career featured him playing in roles younger than his actual age. It was this visual naivete that attracted Spielberg to cast him as Corporal Timothy Upham, recruited at the last moment by Miller to serve as an interpreter as the squad delved behind enemy lines, a fateful choice as it was Upham's urging to spare a German soldier that would later lead to Miller's own death.

In the years following his appearance in "Ryan," Davies carved a niche for himself in a number of supporting roles both on TV and film, striking pay dirt with his portrayal as Dickie Bennett in the FX series "Justified," where he would also earn two Emmy nominations for Outstanding Guest Actor, winning in 2012.

Video game fans may recognize Davies' voice from his work as Baldur in this years' mega-popular "God of War."

Matt Damon as Private Ryan

Finally, we reach the man for whom Miller's Men sacrificed, PFC James Francis Ryan, played by actor/screenwriter Matt Damon. Like Hanks, Damon rode into his collaboration with Spielberg fresh off an Oscar win, one he shared with Ben Affleck for their screenplay for "Good Will Hunting."

While we don't see Damon in "Ryan" until the third act, his presence as the focus of the efforts of Miller's Men is not lost on the character or the audience as he is commanded by Miller, in his dying breath, to "earn this," meaning his way back home at the cost of many good men.

Just as it did for Diesel, Damon's star would only grow brighter post "Ryan," possibly eclipsing both Diesel and Hanks in a few ways. Not only did Damon get to enjoy top billing as an action star in the "Bourne" trilogy and subsequent fourth installment, but he also got to enjoy a variety of dramatic and comedic roles that only come to those with true star status. In 2015, Damon would finally earn another Oscar, this time for his acting work in the popular sci-fi film "The Martian" as a scientist marooned on Mars who uses a mix of brains and sheer will to survive on the red planet all alone.