Q&A: How actor Troy Bronson portrayed KU alumnus Joseph W. Kennedy in ‘Oppenheimer’

I co-wrote this Q&A with fellow University Daily Kansan staff writer Aminah Syed. During the interview, Syed and I learned about Joseph R. Kennedy and his role in the Manhattan project, as well as interesting, behind-the-scenes information about “Oppenheimer.” Overall, interviewing Bronson and co-writing this article allowed me to become a more well-rounded writer and gain a new, interesting experience.

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Joseph W. Kennedy, who played a role in discovering the element plutonium in 1940 and was later involved in the Manhattan Project in 1942, graduated from the University of Kansas. His likeness was portrayed in 2023’s blockbuster, ‘Oppenheimer,’ which was the third-highest grossing movie of 2023, according to Box Office Mojo. 

Actor Troy Bronson played Kennedy in “Oppenheimer,” where he learned about Kennedy’s connection to the University of Kansas. The 2023 film received 5 awards, including the award for Best Motion Picture at the Golden Globes on Jan. 7. 

“Oppenheimer” will be rereleased in theaters and will also be available to rent or purchase on Prime Video and Apple TV on Jan. 12.  

Walk us through your preparation for the role of Joseph W. Kennedy. What did you find out about him through your research? 

I did a lot of research and that included going all the way back to where he was born, which was in Texas. I continued walking through his life and then I landed on the University of Kansas, which is where he got his Masters. In a way, the University of Kansas definitely played a big role in basically getting him into UC-Berkeley. That just goes to tell you the important role that the university had in his formative years and his achievements. 

What stood out to you about Kennedy’s time at KU? 

Around that time apparently there was a lot of influx and money coming into the city and there was a lot of development going on. From what I was told, it had a very collaborative culture that you would not find in a lot of universities at that time. They were being really curious and that was the case at UC-Berkeley as well, that Oppenheimer would put his nose in different places. 

How do you think Kennedy’s time at KU shaped his work on the Manhattan Project?

The university’s culture of that time played a critical role in inspiring students like Kennedy to strive for achievements beyond the ordinary, setting the stage for groundbreaking discoveries like the co-discovery of plutonium. It was a time when students at KU were not only learning history but also being prepared to make it. I believe the University of Kansas played a major role in discover[ing] plutonium because he went to Berkeley trying to find the same kind of learning environment.

What was it like being on set and working with director Christopher Nolan?

My time on the set of ‘Oppenheimer’ was unforgettable, undoubtedly one of the best days of my life. The environment was outwardly calm, yet internally cathartic. Christopher’s focus on the work fostered an atmosphere of insane professionalism and deep investment from everyone involved. Chris focuses on accuracy. He puts a lot of trust into the actors.