Entertainment
Jeremy Allen White Says Portraying Real People Leaves Him in Cold Sweats
By Bailey Richards, Rebecca Aizin
Jeremy Allen White said he wakes up in cold sweats because of the pressure of playing real people. The 35‑year‑old, known for his role in The Bear, is starring as former Wall Street Journal reporter Jeff Horwitz in Aaron Sorkin’s follow‑up to The Social Network, The Social Reckoning. At the film’s world premiere at New York City’s Regal Union Square on Sunday, Oct. 4, White told PEOPLE that he was nervous about portraying another real person after recently playing Bruce Springsteen in 2025’s Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere. He explained that the responsibility of bringing a real, public figure to life had made him “wake up in the middle of the night, many nights, in cold sweats.” White added that he felt a great responsibility to tell the story honestly, focusing on understanding Jeff Horwitz’s perspective and the world he inhabited. The film follows Horwitz as he meets Facebook employee Frances Haugen about a potential story, based on events that led to The Wall Street Journal’s 2021 Facebook Files exposé. White has previously portrayed real people, including wrestler Kerry Von Erich in The Iron Claw (2023). The Social Reckoning opened in theaters on Oct. 9.
Frequently asked questions
What role is Jeremy Allen White playing in The Social Reckoning?
He portrays former Wall Street Journal reporter Jeff Horwitz.
Why does Jeremy Allen White say he wakes up in cold sweats?
He feels the pressure and responsibility of portraying real people, especially after playing Bruce Springsteen and Kerry Von Erich.
When did The Social Reckoning open in theaters?
It opened on Oct. 9.