Bold opening: Jeremy Allen White reveals the Bruce Springsteen track that anchors him when doubt creeps in during filmmaking.
Jeremy Allen White, the actor who embodies Springsteen for the biopic Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere, shares the song that kept him connected to the film’s core whenever he felt lost or unsure: The Boss’s 1982 track, “Mansion on the Hill.” In an interview with People, White explains that this particular song “made me feel very close to what the core of the film was about,” and he would return to it whenever uncertainty surfaced.
That song is just one of many Springsteen tunes White studied and performed while portraying the musician in the movie, which chronicles the creation of Springsteen’s 1982 album Nebraska. Beyond listening to the music, White deepened his preparation by watching extensive footage of Springsteen—interviews and live performances—to capture the artist’s essence.
“There was a seven-minute video, an interview I watched almost every morning,” White notes, adding that it wasn’t just the content but the way Springsteen held his guitar that captivated him. He also paid close attention to Springsteen’s recording nuances—how he rested his head, the lift of his harmonica—and leaned on these details when feeling uncertain.
Bruce Springsteen himself offered praise for White’s performance. During a segment on SiriusXM’s E Street Radio, Springsteen admitted it felt a little “weird” initially to watch someone play him, but he quickly noted that White is “such a terrific actor” who brings a deep, recognizable interpretation of the artist. He added that working with White was enjoyable and that he occasionally relished being on set when possible.
Springsteen also complimented White’s singing, saying, “He sings well. He sings very well.” The filmmaker’s circle includes a strong supporting cast, with Jeremy Strong and Odessa Young portraying Jon Landau, Springsteen’s longtime manager, and Faye, a former love interest, respectively.
“It's a tremendous cast,” Springsteen remarks, highlighting the film’s well-chosen ensemble as one of the project’s great strengths.
Photo credit: VALERIE MACON/AFP via Getty Images
