Mad Men – Season 4 Actor Biographies and Character Descriptions
July 30, 2010 by Lance Carter
Filed under Performing Arts News
JON HAMM – “Don”
Jon Hamm’s nuanced portrayal of the high-powered, philandering advertising executive, Don Draper has firmly established him as one of Hollywood’s most talented and versatile actors, and earned him numerous accolades, including the 2008 Golden Globe® Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series – Drama. Additionally, Hamm has been nominated for an Emmy® Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series (2008, 2009) and a Screen Actors Guild® Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series (2008, 2009, 2010). In 2009 and 2010, he joined with the entire cast to win the Screen Actors Guild® Award for Best Ensemble in a Drama Series.
On the big screen, Hamm will next star opposite Ben Affleck and Rebecca Hall in The Town, which Affleck also directed. Additional upcoming films include roles in the indie feature Howl, about poet Allen Ginsberg, opposite James Franco, Mary-Louise Parker, Jeff Daniels, and David Strathairn, and in Zack Snyder’s fantasy-thriller Sucker Punch. His previous film credits include Shrek Forever After, in which he voiced the character ‘Brogan,’ The Day the Earth Stood Still, Stolen, Ira & Abby, Kissing Jessica Stein and We Were Soldiers.
Hamm first came to audience’s attention in the NBC series “Providence.” Signed for a cameo role, he so impressed the producer’s that he ended up with an 18-episode run in the series. Additional television credits include the popular Lifetime television series “The Division,” as well as “What About Brian,” “The Unit,” “Numb3rs” and “CSI Miami,” among others. Hamm has also appeared on the Emmy-winning comedy, “30 Rock,” for which he received a 2009 Emmy® nomination for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series, and has twice hosted “Saturday Night Live” to critical acclaim.
A native of St. Louis, MO, Hamm received his Bachelor of Arts in English at the University of Missouri-Columbia and currently resides in Los Angeles.
What’s happening with Don Draper this year?
Don Draper’s marriage dissolved after his worst fear came to fruition: Betty discovering his secret past, causing her to reject him and ultimately seek a divorce. As he struggled with the dissolution of his marriage and family, Don also faced the disbandment of Sterling Cooper. As everything in his life that defined him was stripped away, Don rallied Roger, Bert and Lane to launch a new firm. With the birth of Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce, Don faces the process of redefining his relationships and his world.
