The Untamed Spirit: 5 Surprising Facts About Edward Burns’ Role As Private Reiben In Saving Private Ryan

Edward Burns' portrayal of Private Richard Reiben in Steven Spielberg's 1998 World War II epic, Saving Private Ryan, remains one of the film's most memorable and volatile performances. As of the current date, December 12, 2025, the film continues to be hailed as a cinematic masterwork, and Burns' role as the rebellious, Brooklyn-born rifleman is central to the squad's dynamic tension.

The character of Reiben embodies the raw, unvarnished skepticism of the common soldier, constantly questioning the mission's value and the authority of Captain John Miller (Tom Hanks). While Burns was already an established independent filmmaker with hits like The Brothers McMullen, his decision to take on a supporting acting role in this blockbuster revealed a surprising humility and led to career-defining advice from the legendary director, Steven Spielberg.

Edward Burns: Biography, Filmography Highlights, and Personal Life

Edward Fitzgerald Burns is a multi-hyphenate American artist—an actor, director, producer, and screenwriter—whose career spans over three decades in both independent and mainstream cinema. His work is often characterized by witty, dialogue-driven stories centered on the lives of Irish-American families in New York.

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• Full Name: Edward Fitzgerald Burns
• Date of Birth: January 29, 1968
• Place of Birth: Woodside, Queens, New York, U.S.
• Raised In: Valley Stream, Long Island, New York
• Spouse: Christy Turlington (m. 2003)
• Notable Independent Films (Writer/Director/Actor): The Brothers McMullen (1995), She's the One (1996), Sidewalks of New York (2001), Nice Guy Johnny (2010), The Fitzgerald Family Christmas (2012).
• Major Acting Roles: Private Richard Reiben in Saving Private Ryan (1998), Paul Coleman in Life or Something Like It (2002), Ethan in The Holiday (2006), George in 27 Dresses (2008), and Terry in the TV series Public Morals (2015).
• Recent Work: Continues to produce microbudget films and has appeared in recent television projects, consistently balancing his indie roots with mainstream acting roles.

The Private Reiben Factor: Why Burns’ Character Was So Crucial

Private Richard Reiben serves as the squad's emotional and moral anchor, albeit a deeply cynical one. His constant friction with Captain Miller is more than just a plot device; it is a profound exploration of wartime stress, morale, and the erosion of military discipline under extreme duress. The character is a vital entity within the narrative structure of the World War II epic.

The Rebellion Scene: An Explosive Display of Intent

The most iconic moment for Burns’ character is the intense stand-off with Captain Miller and Sergeant Horvath (Tom Sizemore) when the squad's mission—to find and save Private James Francis Ryan—begins to seem futile and costly. Reiben’s frustration boils over, leading to a near-mutiny.

This scene is a masterclass in tension, as Reiben shouts, "I don't care about the goddamn mission!" The exchange highlights the impossible position Miller is in, having to justify the lives lost to save one man. Burns’ raw, passionate delivery of the Brooklyn soldier’s rage is the emotional core of the film's second act, pushing Miller to reveal a personal secret that temporarily restores the squad's cohesion.

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The character's backstory—a rebellious soldier from the borough of Brooklyn, New York—adds a layer of authenticity to his skepticism of authority. He is the voice of the audience, asking the questions the other, more stoic soldiers dare not ask.

Behind the Scenes: 5 Surprising Facts About Edward Burns and the Film

The experience of filming Saving Private Ryan was transformative for the entire cast, and Edward Burns has shared several fascinating anecdotes in recent interviews and his memoir, Independent Ed, detailing the profound impact of working with Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks.

1. He Voluntarily Took a "Lesser Role"

Contrary to what one might expect from a successful writer-director, Burns actively sought a smaller role when auditioning for the film. He revealed that he felt he didn't have the acting "chops" for a more prominent character and asked to audition for a "lesser role." This humility is a surprising detail for an actor who was already a star in the independent film world with his microbudget movies.

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2. The D-Day Shoot Was a "Game Changer"

The harrowing, 23-minute depiction of the Omaha Beach landing was filmed at the beginning of the schedule. Burns noted that this brutal, realistic experience immediately changed the way the entire cast approached every subsequent scene. The physical and emotional exhaustion from the initial shoot instilled a genuine sense of camaraderie and shared trauma, which deepened the authenticity of the squad's bond throughout the rest of the filming process.

3. He Used His Real Friends’ Names for Emotional Depth

In one of the film's quieter, yet pivotal, moments, Reiben is seen writing letters. To evoke a real, tangible sense of loss and connection, Edward Burns used the actual names of his friends from Long Island in the letters he was writing. This small, personal touch—a technique the actor-director brought from his indie background—added an unscripted layer of emotional realism to the World War II epic, demonstrating his commitment to the role of the rebellious soldier.

4. The Profound Steven Spielberg Advice

Burns has frequently cited a piece of advice from Steven Spielberg that fundamentally changed his approach to filmmaking and acting. During a particularly tricky, small scene, Burns was overthinking his performance. Spielberg simply told him: "Don't act it, just do it." This simple instruction to trust the moment and the character's instinct, rather than trying to "perform," was a lesson that Burns carried into his later work, particularly in his own independent feature films.

5. The Film's Legacy Continues to Resonate (25+ Years Later)

Even a quarter of a century after its release, Saving Private Ryan is a constant topic of discussion for Burns. In recent years, including his appearance at the Stockholm International Film Festival in November 2024, he continues to discuss the film's historical significance and its lasting impact on his career. He often reflects on the honor of being part of a project that redefined the cinematic portrayal of the American soldier and the D-Day invasion.

Topical Authority: The Lasting Impact of Private Reiben

The character of Private Richard Reiben is often discussed alongside other key members of Captain Miller's squad, including the medic Wade (Giovanni Ribisi), the translator Corporal Upham (Jeremy Davies), and the stoic Sergeant Horvath (Tom Sizemore). Reiben’s role as the dissenting voice is a critical element of the film's narrative success.

The dramatic tension he creates is necessary to explore the moral ambiguities of the mission. When Reiben finally agrees to stay and fight, his commitment is earned, not mandated, which makes the final battle—the defense of the bridge at Ramelle—all the more poignant. Edward Burns’ ability to ground the character in a believable, street-smart New York attitude allowed Private Reiben to transcend the typical war movie cliché and become a fully realized, three-dimensional entity.

The film’s success, including its five Academy Awards, is a testament not only to Spielberg's direction and Tom Hanks' leadership but also to the ensemble cast's raw, authentic performances, with Burns' feisty Private Reiben standing out as the squad's unforgettable, untamed spirit.