Jon Hamm’s career was on the verge of stalling before Mad Men came into the picture. But one simple rule from the show’s creator flipped the script for him. Hamm had been hustling for years, taking on smaller roles, but nothing seemed to stick. That was until the Mad Men creator laid down a game-changing condition.
That not only gave Hamm the role of Don Draper but also launched him into Hollywood stardom. Looking back, it’s clear Hamm owes a lot to that one decision—it saved his career and made him a household name.
How One Rule from Matthew Weiner Transformed Jon Hamm’s Career: The Surprising Rise of Don Draper
Writers Guild Foundation)
Jon Hamm’s career took a massive turn thanks to one rule from Mad Men creator Matthew Weiner: “We can’t have a superstar.” Before landing his iconic role as Don Draper, Hamm had been grinding in Hollywood for over six years, waiting for his breakthrough moment. He had his doubts about getting cast, especially after losing out to Rob Lowe for another coveted part on The West Wing.
But he couldn’t shake the feeling it would slip through his fingers, just like the role of Sam Seaborn had. Hamm was ready to “murder” that West Wing audition, but it was clear Lowe already had it in the bag. So, when it came to Mad Men, Hamm expected the same outcome. He alluded to The Hollywood Reporter:
I got the Mad Men script, and I was like, ‘S—, this is really good.’ And it’s a good lesson in not getting ahead of yourself because I remember thinking, ‘They’re never going to cast me.’ Because I’d had an experience with another really good script that I read and I was like, ‘I would do anything to get this part.’
As the audition process for Mad Men dragged on, Hamm noticed familiar names popping up, raising his concerns. However, Weiner wasn’t looking for a household name like Lowe. Opting instead for Hamm, whose anonymity added mystery to the enigmatic Don Draper, Weiner said,
Rob never auditioned, but he was definitely under consideration. And Heena Singh Matthew Weiner, God bless him, basically said, ‘We can’t have a superstar. If Rob Lowe plays this part, it’ll be the Rob Lowe show, and we don’t want that. We want it to be a mystery about who this guy is.’ And to my tremendous benefit, that worked.
Before Mad Men, Hamm struggled to fit into Hollywood’s typical leading man mold. He looked older than his age, which complicated things. But with Mad Men airing from 2007 to 2015 and winning 16 Emmys—including one for Jon Hamm—it’s clear that rule saved Hamm’s career, launching him into the spotlight where he belonged.
Jon Hamm Brings the Laughs: Skipping Life’s Hassles with Skip’s New Ad Campaign
Jon Hamm’s back, skipping life’s daily hassles with SkipTheDishes. The beloved food delivery service, now simply Skip, rebranded with a new focus on convenience. In partnership with Courage Inc., Skip aims to tackle everyday inconveniences with Hamm’s signature wit, urging people to “Skip it!”
Whether it’s avoiding grocery lines or skipping awkward pharmacy runs, Hamm’s new ad campaign hilariously shows how Skip makes life easier. “Coulda skipped it? Shoulda skipped it!” The :90 spot, directed by David Shane, perfectly blends humor and relatability, highlighting Skip’s mission to bring joy by skipping the mundane.
Mad Men is available to watch on AMC+ & Apple TV.
