Cast of Hacksaw Ridge – Full Guide to Main Actors and Roles
Who Are the Main Cast Members of Hacksaw Ridge?
Hacksaw Ridge (2016) features a large ensemble cast of more than 25 credited actors, led by Andrew Garfield as Desmond Doss. The supporting roster includes Sam Worthington, Luke Bracey, Hugo Weaving, Teresa Palmer, Vince Vaughn, and many others. Below is a compact overview of the four key performers.
Character: Pfc. Desmond Doss
Role: Conscientious objector, Medal of Honor recipient
Character: Captain Jack Glover
Role: Commanding officer who doubts Doss at first
Character: Pvt. “Smitty” Ryker
Role: Hostile fellow soldier who later respects Doss
Character: Corporal Tom Doss
Role: Desmond’s abusive but ultimately proud father
Key Insights About the Cast and Film
- Andrew Garfield earned his first Academy Award nomination for Best Actor for his portrayal of Desmond Doss.
- Mel Gibson directed the film, marking his return after a long hiatus; it won two Oscars (Best Sound Mixing, Best Film Editing).
- The film is based on the true story of Desmond Doss, the first conscientious objector to receive the Medal of Honor.
- Sam Worthington and Luke Bracey both underwent intense boot camp training to prepare for their roles.
- The cast was considered unusually strong and was broadly praised in interviews and coverage.
Snapshot Facts: Hacksaw Ridge at a Glance
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Release Year | 2016 |
| Director | Mel Gibson |
| Based On | True story of Desmond T. Doss |
| Box Office | $180.5 million worldwide |
| Academy Awards | 2 wins (Best Sound Mixing, Best Film Editing) |
| Runtime | 139 minutes |
| MPAA Rating | R (for war violence, language) |
For a complete list of every credited actor, visit the official IMDb full cast and crew page. For another detailed breakdown of a film ensemble, see the Cast of Wake Up Dead Man – Full Stars and Roles Guide.
Who Played Desmond Doss, Smitty, and Captain Glover?
Andrew Garfield as Private Desmond Doss
Andrew Garfield, a British-American actor best known for The Social Network and The Amazing Spider-Man, took on the role of the real‑life medic. Garfield said it was “a privilege to play Desmond. He taught me about conviction and compassion,” as he told The Guardian in 2016. Read more from that Guardian interview with Andrew Garfield.
Luke Bracey as Private “Smitty” Ryker
Australian actor Luke Bracey played Smitty Ryker, a composite character representing several real soldiers who initially resented Doss. Bracey told Collider in 2016: “I wanted to honour the real soldiers who served alongside Doss.” The character undergoes a notable redemption arc.
Sam Worthington as Captain Jack Glover
Sam Worthington, best known as Jake Sully in the Avatar franchise, portrayed Captain Jack Glover, Doss’s commanding officer. Glover doubts Doss’s refusal to carry a weapon but later recommends him for the Medal of Honor. Worthington and Bracey both attended a rigorous military boot camp to perform convincingly, while Garfield did not, due to his character’s non‑combat role.
All main cast members except Andrew Garfield participated in a full military boot camp to ensure authentic soldier movements. Garfield instead worked with a dialogue coach to capture Doss’s Virginia accent.
Who Played Desmond Doss’s Family and the Director?
Hugo Weaving as Corporal Tom Doss (Father)
Hugo Weaving, the Australian veteran of The Matrix and Lord of the Rings, played Desmond’s father, Tom Doss. The character is a troubled World War I veteran who struggles with alcohol and abuse, but ultimately expresses pride in his son.
Darcy Bryce as Young Harold Doss (Brother)
Darcy Bryce, a young Australian actor, portrayed Harold Doss in flashback scenes. The character is Desmond’s younger brother, with whom he has a close bond.
Milo Gibson as Irv (Uncle) – Note: Milo Gibson is Mel Gibson’s son
Milo Gibson, son of director Mel Gibson, played Irv, a fictionalised uncle created for the film. Some viewers confuse Irv with Harold Doss, but the character is a distinct addition. Milo confirmed his role in promotional interviews.
Mel Gibson as Director of Hacksaw Ridge
Mel Gibson directed the film, his first major directing project since Apocalypto (2006). Gibson told Variety in 2016: “I couldn’t believe there was a man who didn’t carry a weapon but saved 75 people. I had to tell his story.” In 2025, Gibson released Flight Risk and continues work on The Passion of the Christ 2 and Lethal Weapon 5.
The character Irv (played by Milo Gibson) is a fictional uncle, while the real brother Harold Doss is played by Darcy Bryce in brief flashbacks. The two roles are distinct and should not be conflated.
What Are the Hacksaw Ridge Cast Members Doing Now?
Andrew Garfield: 2024–2025 Projects
Andrew Garfield remains one of Hollywood’s most prominent actors. He starred in the 2024 series Under the Banner of Heaven and is attached to upcoming projects by Martin Scorsese. He continues to receive praise for his Hacksaw Ridge performance.
Sam Worthington: Avatar Sequels and Beyond
Sam Worthington remains highly visible through the Avatar franchise, with Avatar 3 scheduled for 2025. He is one of the most commercially prominent cast members from the film.
Luke Bracey: Recent Films and TV
Luke Bracey has built a steady international career, appearing in The Fallout (2023) and The Last Thing He Told Me (2024). He continues to take on action and thriller roles.
Hugo Weaving: Stage and Screen Work
Hugo Weaving remains a respected figure in Australian and international cinema. He is set to appear in the upcoming Lord of the Rings animated film and has ongoing stage work in Sydney.
Other notable cast updates: Teresa Palmer continues working in film and television; Vince Vaughn remains active in comedic and dramatic roles; Rachel Griffiths maintains a strong presence in Australian screen production.
The current status of cast members is based on publicly available industry reporting and may not reflect every minor project. For verified biographical updates, consult the Hacksaw Ridge Wikipedia page and Rotten Tomatoes cast page.
When Did Hacksaw Ridge Premiere and Key Milestones?
- September 4, 2016 – Hacksaw Ridge premieres at the Venice Film Festival.
- November 4, 2016 – Theatrical release worldwide.
- February 26, 2017 – Academy Awards: 6 nominations, 2 wins (Best Sound Mixing, Best Film Editing).
- March 15, 2017 – Andrew Garfield wins Best Actor at the Satellite Awards.
- January 2025 – Cast members continue diverse projects, including Mel Gibson’s Flight Risk and Avatar sequels.
For the official National Archives record of Desmond Doss’s Medal of Honor, see the National Archives page.
What Is Certain About the Cast and What Remains Unclear?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Andrew Garfield played Desmond Doss. | The exact role of Irv (played by Milo Gibson) is sometimes conflated with Harold Doss – Irv is a fictionalized uncle created for the film. |
| Sam Worthington played Captain Jack Glover. | No official statement confirms whether all minor characters are based on single real individuals – Smitty is a composite. |
| Luke Bracey played Smitty Ryker. | Minor character backgrounds (e.g., “Teach,” “Hollywood”) may be amalgamations. |
| Hugo Weaving played Tom Doss. | |
| Mel Gibson directed the film. |
HistoryNet’s article on Desmond Doss helps clarify which characters are real and which are dramatised.
What Was the Casting Process and Historical Accuracy?
Director Mel Gibson and casting directors sought actors who could convey both physical intensity and emotional depth. Andrew Garfield, though British, was chosen for his “pure” audition. The main cast – except Garfield – attended a rigorous military boot camp. The film takes creative liberties: Smitty Ryker is a composite of several real soldiers, and Irv is a fictional uncle. The core story, however, closely follows the documented heroism of Desmond T. Doss.
What Did the Director and Cast Say About the Film?
“I couldn’t believe there was a man who didn’t carry a weapon but saved 75 people. I had to tell his story.”
— Mel Gibson, director, interview with Variety, 2016.
“It was a privilege to play Desmond. He taught me about conviction and compassion.”
— Andrew Garfield, actor, interview with The Guardian, 2016.
“I wanted to honour the real soldiers who served alongside Doss.”
— Luke Bracey, actor, interview with Collider, 2016.
Why Does the Hacksaw Ridge Cast Still Matter?
The ensemble of Hacksaw Ridge remains relevant because the actors’ performances continue to be studied and praised, and many have gone on to major careers. The film itself endures as a powerful biographical war drama, and the cast’s commitment to the story of Desmond Doss brings new audiences to his remarkable true story.
For a similar detailed guide on another film cast, see the Cast of The Amateur – Full Cast, Roles and Streaming Guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who played Irv in Hacksaw Ridge?
Milo Gibson, son of Mel Gibson, played Irv, a fictional uncle of Desmond Doss.
Who played Desmond Doss’s brother in Hacksaw Ridge?
Darcy Bryce played the young Harold Doss in flashback scenes.
Is Hacksaw Ridge based on a true story?
Yes, it is based on the true story of Pfc. Desmond T. Doss, a conscientious objector who saved 75 men during the Battle of Okinawa.
Who wrote the screenplay for Hacksaw Ridge?
Robert Schenkkan and Andrew Knight wrote the screenplay, based on the documentary The Conscientious Objector.
How many actors are in Hacksaw Ridge?
The cast includes over 25 credited actors, with many more in uncredited background roles.
Who played Sergeant Howell?
Vince Vaughn played Sergeant Howell, a tough but fair drill instructor.
Who played Dorothy Schutte?
Teresa Palmer played Dorothy Schutte, Desmond Doss’s wife.
Who played Bertha Doss?
Rachel Griffiths played Bertha Doss, Desmond’s mother.
Who played Colonel Stelzer?
Richard Roxburgh played Colonel Stelzer.
Who played Lieutenant Manville?
Ryan Corr played Lieutenant Manville.
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