Johnathan Daniel Hamm, gaining fame from his role as Don Draper in Mad Men, has become somewhat of a Hollywood heart throb. In 2007, he was named Salon’s Sexiest Man Living. In 2008, he was named one of People Magazine’s Sexiest Men Alive. Entertainment Weekly named him one of their “Entertainers” in both 2008 and 2010, and he also won GQ’s “International Man” award in 2010. Although much attention of the handsome actor is directed at his looks, Jon Hamm is much more than just a pretty face.
Hamm has charisma, range, and an acute ability to bring to life a character with depth and meaning. After moving to Los Angeles in 1995 and having difficulty finding an acting position, Hamm landed his first real role in the year 2000 at age 29, in the NBC series Providence. He made his feature-length film debut the same year with Clint Eastwood’s film Space Cowboys and has since starred in a plethora of massively successful hit television series and movies since. Most recently Jon Hamm has been cast in the Top Gun sequel titled Top Gun: Maverick. Hamm will star as a new character named Vice Admiral Cyclone. The new sequel has much to live up to after the massive success of the original, but with heavyweight tenured actors like Hamm in the mix, there is no doubt that it will be a success.
8 Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp (2015)
In 2015, Hamm landed a minor role in Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp. He plays a character named The Falcon, an adversary to one of the original and most beloved characters from the original film, the chef, Gene. Hamm plays an enemy from Gene's past, with military experience. The character in itself is not incredibly complicated and not one that would be incredibly difficult to portray, but it does a good job of exemplifying Hamm’s ability to portray a stern and stoic character. The situation in which Hamm is present, a military vendetta at a summer camp, is also incredibly funny. Both Hamm and Christopher Meloni, the actor who plays Gene, do a great job working off each other and creating this hilarious dynamic.
7 Baby Driver (2017)
In this 2017 film directed by Edgar Wright, John Hamm plays a character by the name of Buddy. He is a cool and collected modern outlaw with an equally criminal wife. This character, when compared to The Falcon from Wet Hot American Summer, is much more realistic in tone and cadence. The Falcon comes across as campy, and quirky, and while trying to be tough, he is offbeat. Buddy, on the other hand, is the perfect archetype of a bank robber; he is a stern but affable adrenaline junkie who is willing to put his life on the line for an opportunity for a big score.
6 TAG (2018)
TAG is a comedy film and was released in 2018; acting alongside Hamm are other big names such as Jeremy Renner, Ed Helms, Isla Fisher, and Hannibal Buress. The film follows the story of a group of friends who have been involved in a 30-year game of tag that they play once a year. Although primarily a comedy, this film also contains some incredible action moments, as well as drama surrounding the friendships that this group has maintained. Jon Hamm fits perfectly into the ensemble; his ability to play a character that is both incredibly funny and determined makes his character, Bob Callahan, a seamless addition to the narrative.
5
Bad Times at the El Royale (2018)
Another ensemble film, Bad Time at the El Royale, follows four strangers during their stay at a deserted hotel that straddles the border of Nevada and California. The film was released in 2018 and was written and directed by Drew Goddard. Stars of the film include Jeff Bridges, Cynthia Erivo, Dakota Johnson, and Chris Hemsworth. Jon Hamm plays a mysterious businessman with a big personality staying at the hotel alone. Hamm’s inclusion in these ensemble-type films, ones that rely heavily on distinct individual performances, is a testament to his unique acting performances.
4 Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (2015-2020)
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt is a hilarious series created in 2015 by Rober Carlock and Tina Fey stars Ellie Kemper as a fish-out-of-water, starting her life in New York City after being held captive by a cult for years. Jo n Hamm plays a character named Reverend Richard Wayne Gary Wayne, known to the main character, Kimmy, as The Reverend. He is the leader of the cult and is responsible for kidnapping Kimmy. The character is introduced late in the first season but doesn't gain much of a participatory role until later. The character of a kidnapper and cult leader can be a tough one to play. With the help of some incredibly talented writing, Hamm is able to bring this character to life. Instead of being some sort of arch-villain, The Reverend is integrated into the show well and serves as the butt of some pretty funny jokes.
3 30 Rock (2006-2012)
In another Tina Fey-created comedy series, 30 Rock, Jon Hamm plays a character by the name of Dr. Drew Baird. He is one of Liz Lemon’s romantic interests in the series, and although he only appears in seven episodes, his performances here really stand out. Compared to Hamm's other roles where he is cast as some cool, macho, tough guy, this performance by Hamm is where it seems to be the most normal. As Doctor Baird, he is not toting guns, nor is he engaging in any sort of fighting. He is just a sweet and charismatic middle-aged professional. However, the shtick with this character is that although he is incredibly nice, he is dumb as a rock. Liz Lemon supposes that all his accolades and success, including his doctorate, are because of his incredibly good looks. Later in the series, he loses both of his hands in an easily avoidable accident.
2 Marjorie Prime (2017)
Marjorie Prime is a 2017 film directed by Michael Almereyda. It takes place in a world where there are holographic recreations of your deceased loved ones, and Hamm plays just that. He portrays Walter, a younger version of Marjorie’s late husband. This film is a unique one for Hamm in that it really allows him some room to breathe. He is no minor character, nor even part of an ensemble. Hamm here, is the main act. The movie ultimately got mixed reviews, but if you enjoy Jon Hamm, and want to see what it looks like when he takes the main stage, then this film is a definite add to your watch list.
1 Mad Men (2007-2015)
Finally, our list closes with Mad Men. The series that brought Jon Hamm into the limelight and continues to serve as an example of his strong acting; a captivating drama, and a realistic timepiece. The 2007 series has Jon Hamm as the prestigious ad executive Don Draper. The show takes place in the 1960s, at Madison Avenue, as Donald Draper and his peers work to create new advertisements for the biggest names in corporate America. It is with this series and the legacy of Don Draper that Jon Hamm cements his role as Hollywood’s stoic badass. If you haven't seen the series, it is definitely worth the watch, and if you already have seen it, it may be about time for a re-watch.