Who’s Who in Oppenheimer
Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer has been a box office phenomenon in 2023, drawing huge volumes of cinemagoers alongside the similarly-timed release of Barbie. Oppenheimer tells the dramatic story of American scientist, J. Robert Oppenheimer (portrayed by Cillian Murphy), and his role in the development of the atomic bomb.
This film, like many of Nolan’s works, has a star-studded cast (including a group of his regulars), but what is especially striking about this film is not just the quality of the acting but the volume of recognisable and renowned actors who have signed onto the film to appear in mostly small, supporting roles.
Some of the cameos, if you’re unfamiliar with the film, are genuinely surprising and are worth discovering for yourself. Among them are Academy Award-winning performers who appear for single scenes. To avoid these spoilers we have left some of these actors out of this summary.
But, if you have seen Oppenheimer and came across a familiar face and you can’t place what else they have appeared in, there is a chance they are featured below. Read on for a list of just a selection of the outstanding casting choices in Oppenheimer, the role the actor is perhaps best known for and a role we recommend seeking out.
Cillian Murphy – J. Robert Oppenheimer
Best Known For: Tommy Shelby, Peaky Blinders
We Recommend: Jim, 28 Days Later
Robert Downey Jr. – Lewis Strauss
Best Known For: Tony Stark/Ironman, The Avengers
We Recommend: Harry Lockhart, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang
Emily Blunt – Kitty Oppenheimer
Best Known For: Mary Poppins, Mary Poppins Returns
We Recommend: Iris, Your Sister’s Sister
Matt Damon – Leslie Groves
Best Known For: Jason Bourne, The Bourne Identity
We Recommend: Sonny Vaccaro, Air
Florence Pugh – Jean Tatlock
Best Known For: Alice, Don’t Worry Darling
We Recommend: Dani, Midsommar
Josh Hartnett – Ernest Lawrence
Best Known For: Danny Walker, Pearl Harbour
We Recommend: Danny, Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre
Rami Malek – David Hill
Best Known For: Freddie Mercury, Bohemian Rhapsody
We Recommend: Elliot Alderson, Mr Robot
Kenneth Branagh – Niels Bohr
Best Known For: King Henry V, Henry V
We Recommend: Lawrence Olivier, My Week With Marilyn
Jason Clarke – Roger Robb
Best Known For: Malcolm, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes
We Recommend: Dan, Zero Dark Thirty
Benny Safdie – Edward Teller
Best Known For: Joel Wachs, Licorice Pizza
We Recommend: Nick Nikas, Good Time
Tom Conti – Albert Einstein
Best Known For: Lawrence, Merry Christmas, Mr Lawrence
We Recommend: Judge Gerald Biggleswade, Paddington 2
Alden Ehrenreich – Senate Aide
Best Known For: Han Solo, Solo: A Star Wars Story
We Recommend: Hobie Doyle, Hail Caesar!
James D’Arcy – Patrick Blackett
Best Known For: Edwin Jarvis, Agent Carter
We Recommend: Multiple roles, Cloud Atlas
David Dastmalchian – William Borden
Best Known For: Wojchek, Dracula: Voyage of the Demeter
We Recommend: Jack Delroy, Late Night with the Devil
Dane Dehaan – Kenneth Nichols
Best Known For: Major Valerian, Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets
We Recommend: James Dean, Life
Jefferson Hall – Haakon Chevalier
Best Known For: Jason and Tyland Lannister, House of the Dragon
We Recommend: Thorne Geary, Taboo
David Krumholtz – Isidor Rabi
Best Known For: Bernard, The Santa Clause
We Recommend: Monty Levin, The Plot Against America
Matthew Modine – Vannevar Bush
Best Known For: Dr. Martin Brenner, Stranger Things
We Recommend: Private/Sergeant J.T. “Joker” Davis, Full Metal Jacket
Jack Quaid – Richard Feynman
Best Known For: Hughie Campbell, The Boys
We Recommend: Fish Bang, Logan Lucky
Olivia Thirlby – Lilli Hornig
Best Known For: Leah, Juno
We Recommend: Anderson, Dredd
Danny Defararri – Enrico Fermi
Best Known For: Andrew Madoff, Madoff
We Recommend: Max, Shiva Baby
