Key Takeaways:
– AMC was initially doubtful about casting Jon Hamm as Don Draper in Mad Men.
– Hamm had to audition numerous times for the role and was nearly overlooked as he was considered ‘not sexy enough'.
– Following breakthrough success with Mad Men, Hamm recently appeared in The Morning Show and a cameo in Unfrosted.
Jon Hamm and the Mad Men Saga
Jon Hamm, who served up a legendary performance as the mesmerizing adman Don Draper in AMC's Mad Men, originally faced hesitations from the network. The show creators wanted someone sexy to portray what would turn out to be one of television's most iconic characters. Ironically, they did not consider Jon Hamm, who later won them over, a fit for that description.
The Persisting Auditions
Despite hauling in critical acclaim for his performance, Hamm wasn't AMC's first choice. He reportedly had to attend seven or eight auditions before securing the role. Back then, Hamm, living in Los Angeles since 1994, was struggling to land a breakthrough gig and had even resolved to leave the industry if things didn't pan out by the time he was 30.
In a recent conversation on The Graham Norton Show, where he appeared alongside Charlize Theron and Steve Coogan, Hamm opened up about his hardships in the early days of his career. He revealed how AMC initially doubted his suitability for the Mad Men role, considering him less than attractive.
The Shocking Revelation and Aftermath
Hamm's revelations astonished his fellow guests, particularly Theron, who exclaimed, “Were they all blind?”. The scenario clearly proves how irreplaceable Hamm was as Don Draper and how his performance solidified his stardom in Hollywood. Hamm also starred in The Morning Show alongside Jennifer Aniston. His recent ventures attest to his skyrocketing career since his Mad Men days.
Returning to Don Draper in Unfrosted
Fans were pleasantly surprised to see Hamm reprising his role as Don Draper in Jerry Seinfeld's Netflix feature, Unfrosted, alongside John Slattery's Roger Sterling. The movie, centered around Pop-Tarts, includes a segment set in a Madison Avenue advertising firm, leading to the unexpected cameo appearances of the Mad Men characters.
However, not everyone was thrilled with these cameos. They sparked a bit of controversy due to the mismatched tones between Mad Men's serious ambience and Unfrosted's comical parody style. Yet, fans remain hopeful for more serious opportunities to see Hamm play Don Draper in the future, despite their opinions about the Unfrosted cameo.
Access to Mad Men and Unfrosted
Fans can still enjoy Mad Men by streaming it on AMC+. Netflix subscribers, on the other hand, can catch Unfrosted on the platform. Jon Hamm's incredible journey from a struggling actor to becoming a household name as Don Draper serves as a reminder about the unpredictable turns a showbiz career can take. His tenacity and audacity in sticking to his acting career certainly paid off, making audience question the initial doubt about his suitability for his breakout role.
