What happened to all of the main actors in Saving Private Private Ryan
When it comes to war films, there are very few that can top Saving Private Ryan.
The film is a classic, with it being one of Steven Spielberg’s most iconic movies – amongst an incredibly stacked list.
One of the best aspects of the film though is the cast, which had a perfect combination of characters actors, stars, and lesser-known actors who would go on to becomes household names.
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We’ve taken a look at where most of the main actors of the film are now - including all eight of ‘Miller’s Men’.
Officer Walter Anderson – Dennis Farina 
Dennis Farina (Jason Laveris via Getty Images / Paramount Pictures)
Dennis Farina played the gruff commander who ordered the saving of the titular Private Ryan, and the actor had an incredible story.
Farina was a detective in Chicago for 18 years, prior to a run in with a director earning him a job on Law and Order as an actor.
He went on to act in over 80 projects, including Saving Private Ryan.
He sadly died in 2013 from a blood clot while being treated for lung cancer, Reuters reported.
Private Adrian Caparzo – Vin Diesel
No really - the most common reaction to rewatching Saving Private Ryan is seeing Caparzo on screen and going 'wait a minute is that…'
Saving Private Ryan was Vin Diesel’s second film appearance before he went on to become the megastar he is today.
Whether it be the insanely popular Fast and the Furious films, Guardians of the Galaxy, or the upcoming reboot of Chronicles of Riddick, it’s fair to say he’s done well for himself since this film.
Stanley “Fish” Mellish – Adam Goldberg
Goldberg is arguably most well-known for his small role in Friends, where he played Chandler’s bizarre roommate for three episodes.
Despite this, the Saving Private Ryan actor has gone on to have a very successful career, currently starring in a TV show version of The Equalizer.
The scene where [SPOILER] Fish dies is a heart-breaking one - in large part due to Goldberg’s amazing acting.
Sgt Mike Horvath - Tom Sizemore
According to IMDb, Sizemore starred in a crazy 259 projects, with as many as 17 still set to release despite his death.
He went on to star in another of the best war movies of all time in Black Hawk Down, making him a rare actor to have appeared in two of the best ever.
The actor sadly died of a brain aneurysm just last year, after a prolific career.
Captain John Miller – Tom Hanks
The actor who least needs introduction, both now and at the time of the film.
When he appeared in Saving Private Ryan, Hanks already had two Oscar wins, before receiving a nomination for his role as Miller.
Now, Hanks has six total nominations, and is one of the most beloved actors of all time.
Medic Irwin Wade – Giovanni Ribisi
Another actor who went on to become known for their role in Friends, this time for playing Phoebe’s half-brother – Ribisi has had a stellar career.
The actor has starred in Selma, Avatar (as well as the sequel), and Horizon: An American Saga.
Ribisi is also a Scientologist and appeared at the opening of a Scientology Museum in 2005.
In one of the rare comments about his beliefs in 2017, he said in an interview on the Jim and Sam show: "It’s a personal thing – it’s something that works for me, and I think it’s that simple."
Technician Timothy Upham – Jeremy Davies
Another massive spoiler, but Technician Upham is the first in this list to survive the film outside of Officer Anderson - with Davies playing one of the three protagonists of the film.
Davies has, as seems common across this cast, had huge success since the film.
Whether it be winning an Emmy for Justified, appearing in the 2018 God of War game, or appearing in hit series Lost, Davies has proved himself to be far more than a one hit wonder.
Private Daniel Jackson – Barry Pepper
Pepper played sniper Daniel Jackson and has gone on to have an enviable life.
Continuing as an actor, he went on to win an Emmy for his portrayal of Bobby Kennedy, does voice-over work for Showtime boxing, and also starred in another Tom Hanks classic The Green Mile.
Successful acclaimed actor, paid to talk about a sport he loves, yet not so famous he can’t go outside – Barry Pepper is living the dream.
All that from a career that started as him working as an extra on Johnny Depp’s 21 Jump Street TV show.
Private Richard Reiben – Edward Burns
One of the less famous names to come from Saving Private Ryan, Burns is fantastic – and his character is just the second on this list from ‘Miller’s Men’ to make it through to the end of the film.
Burns has spent almost as much time behind the camera as in front of it in his career, writing 18 scripts and directing 17, including 2007 Romcom Purple Violets.
Private James Francis Ryan – Matt Damon
When he was cast in Saving Private Ryan, the idea was for Private Ryan to be a relative unknown.
In the in-between however, Good Will Hunting was released, meaning Damon was a near-household name. Damon and Ben Affleck, who wrote Good Will Hunting, both won screenwriting Oscars, making the pair the two youngest to ever received the award.
Damon has gone on to star in hit after hit, being nominated for four acting Oscars over his career – including for Saving Private Ryan.
Add to that recent roles in Oppenheimer, Air, and Ford v Ferrari, the actor continues to bang out amazing film after amazing film almost 30 years on.
Topics: Tom Hanks, TV and Film, Film, Matt Damon
Michael Slavin