Jon Hamm Then and Now

Jon Hamm Then

Jon Hamm, born on March 10, 1971, in St. Louis, Missouri, experienced a tumultuous and challenging childhood.

His parents divorced when he was just two years old, leaving Hamm in the care of his mother. 

Tragically, his mother passed away when he was only ten, leading him to move in with his father and grandmother. 

This period of stability was short-lived, as his grandmother soon passed away. 

Despite these hardships, Hamm managed to focus on his education and personal growth.

During his sophomore year at the University of Texas, Hamm faced another devastating loss when his father died. 

This series of familial losses left him feeling unsettled, prompting him to leave the University of Texas and return to his hometown of St. Louis.

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Seeking a fresh start and a new direction, Hamm enrolled at the University of Missouri. 

There, he discovered a passion for acting, participating in stage productions and spending two summers with a repertory company. 

His time at the university not only honed his acting skills but also provided a sense of purpose and direction.

After earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in English in 1993, Hamm returned to St. Louis. 

He began teaching at the prestigious John Burroughs School, an institution he had attended during his formative years. 

From 1993 to 1995, Hamm taught drama, sharing his knowledge and passion for the arts with his students.

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This experience as an educator allowed him to give back to the community and maintain a connection to his roots while nurturing his own dreams of pursuing an acting career.

Hamm’s early life was marked by significant personal losses and challenges, but his resilience and determination helped shape his journey. 

His experiences influenced his later success in Hollywood, where he became best known for his iconic role as Don Draper on the critically acclaimed television series “Mad Men.” 

Despite the difficulties he faced, Hamm’s perseverance and talent propelled him to become one of the most respected actors in the industry.

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Jon Hamm’s Acting Career

Jon Hamm moved to Hollywood in 1995, determined to pursue a career in acting. 

His persistence paid off when he made his television debut in 2000 with a guest role on “The Hughleys” and his film debut in Clint Eastwood’s “Space Cowboys.” 

Hamm’s breakthrough came when he reprised his lead role from the Los Angeles play “Lipschtick” in the film “Kissing Jessica Stein” (2001), written by Jennifer Westfeldt. 

The film was well-received and marked the beginning of his relationship with Westfeldt, a partnership that lasted until 2015.

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Hamm continued to build his career by playing a significant role in the TV police procedural “The Division” from 2002 to 2004. 

Following the show’s cancellation, he secured recurring roles on “The Unit” and “What About Brian” in 2006 and 2007, respectively.

Hamm’s career skyrocketed when he was cast as Don Draper in the critically acclaimed series “Mad Men,” which premiered in 2007. 

As Draper, Hamm portrayed a complex, morally ambiguous advertising executive who had assumed the identity of a fellow soldier killed in combat.

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The show was an immediate success, earning widespread praise from critics and viewers alike. 

Hamm’s performance garnered him two Golden Globe Awards for Best Actor in a Dramatic Role (2008 and 2016) and eight Emmy Award nominations, ultimately winning in 2015 for the show’s final season. 

His work on “Mad Men” solidified his reputation as a talented actor capable of delivering nuanced and powerful performances.

In addition to “Mad Men,” Hamm showcased his versatility through various television roles, including appearances on “30 Rock” as Dr. Drew Baird, “Children’s Hospital,” “A Young Doctor’s Notebook,” “Parks and Recreation,” and “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.”

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In 2019, he portrayed the archangel Gabriel in the Amazon miniseries “Good Omens” and narrated the sports documentary series “All or Nothing: The Philadelphia Eagles” in 2020. 

These roles demonstrated Hamm’s ability to seamlessly transition between drama and comedy, further establishing his range as an actor.

Hamm also made significant contributions to the film industry. He starred in the crime thriller “The Town” (2010) and “Friends with Kids” (2011), a romantic comedy written and directed by Jennifer Westfeldt. 

In “Million Dollar Arm” (2014), Hamm portrayed a sports agent in a heartwarming drama. 

He continued to diversify his filmography with roles in the comedy “Keeping Up with the Joneses” (2016) and the action comedy “Baby Driver” (2017).

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His portrayal of a former U.S. diplomat in “Beirut” (2018) and his participation in the ensemble comedy “Tag” (2018) showcased his ability to tackle varied genres. 

In “Bad Times at the El Royale” (2018), Hamm plays a salesman caught in the intrigue of a hotel with a storied past.

Hamm’s film career continued to flourish with roles in “Lucy in the Sky” (2019), a drama about an astronaut’s struggle to adjust to life on Earth, and “The Report” (2019), a true story about an investigation into CIA interrogation tactics post-9/11. 

He also appeared in Clint Eastwood’s biopic “Richard Jewell” (2019), which recounted the story of a security guard wrongly accused of the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games bombing. 

In 2021, Hamm starred in the dramedy “Wild Mountain Thyme” and Steven Soderbergh’s “No Sudden Move.”

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He reached new heights with his portrayal of a vice admiral in “Top Gun: Maverick” (2022), the highly anticipated sequel to the 1986 blockbuster about navy jet pilots. 

Hamm’s diverse body of work across television and film underscores his status as a versatile and accomplished actor.

Jon Hamm Movies

• Space Cowboys (2000)
• We Were Soldiers (2002) 
• Kissing Jessica Stein (2001)
• Ira & Abby (2006)
• The Ten (2007)
• Shrek Forever After (2010) – Brogan (voice)
• Howl (2010) 
• The A-Team (2010) 
• Sucker Punch (2011)
• Friends with Kids (2011)
• Bridesmaids (2011)
• The Town (2010) 
• Stolen (2012) 
• Clear History (2013)
• Million Dollar Arm (2014) 
• Minions (2015) – Herb Overkill (voice)
• Keeping Up with the Joneses (2016) 
• Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie (2016)
• Aardvark (2017)
• Marjorie Prime (2017) 
• Baby Driver (2017) 
• Beirut (2018) 
• Tag (2018)
• Bad Times at the El Royale (2018) 
• The Report (2019) 
• Lucy in the Sky (2019) 
• Richard Jewell (2019) 
• Wild Mountain Thyme (2020) 
• No Sudden Move (2021) 
• Top Gun: Maverick (2022) 
• Confess, Fletch (2022) 
• Corner Office (2022) 
• Metalocalypse: Army of the Doomstar (2023)
• Maggie Moore (2023)
• Unfrosted (2024)
• Mean Girls (2024)
• Transformers One (2024)  – Sentinel Prime (voice) 

Jon Hamm’s Wife

In June 2023, Jon Hamm married actor Anna Osceola. The couple first met on the set of “Mad Men” during its final season, where Osceola had a minor role. 

Their relationship became public in 2020, and they announced their engagement in February 2023. 

This marks a new chapter in Hamm’s personal life following his long-term relationship with Jennifer Westfeldt, which lasted 18 years before their split in 2015.

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During the years following their separation, Hamm was romantically linked to actor Dakota Johnson and “Saturday Night Live” producer Lindsay Shookus.

Hamm’s personal life has seen its share of challenges and public scrutiny. 

Shortly before the final season of “Mad Men” debuted in April 2015, Hamm publicly disclosed that he had undergone rehabilitation for alcohol abuse. 

This revelation came as a surprise to many fans and highlighted the pressures and difficulties he faced. 

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In an interview with Australia’s TV Week magazine, Hamm candidly discussed his struggle, stating, “Life throws a lot at you sometimes and you have to deal with it as much as you can.” 

He expressed deep gratitude for the support he received from family and friends during this challenging period, emphasizing the importance of having a strong support system.

Hamm’s openness about his battle with alcohol abuse and his subsequent rehabilitation resonated with many, adding a layer of depth to the public’s perception of the actor. 

His journey through recovery, coupled with the unwavering support from those close to him, exemplifies his resilience and commitment to personal growth. 

This candidness about his struggles and the recent joy of his marriage to Osceola paints a picture of an individual who has navigated both the highs and lows of life with grace and fortitude.

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Jon Hamm Now

Jon Hamm, now 53 years old, is an acclaimed American actor best known for his portrayal of Don Draper in the period drama series “Mad Men.” 

His performance in this iconic role garnered him numerous accolades, including a Primetime Emmy Award and two Golden Globe Awards, cementing his status as a distinguished figure in the entertainment industry. 

Hamm’s career is marked by his versatility and depth as an actor, which has allowed him to excel in both television and film.

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In recent years, Hamm has continued to expand his filmography with notable projects. 

In 2024, he appeared in the movie “Mean Girls,” and he is also part of the cast of “Unfrosted,” showcasing his ongoing relevance and adaptability in the industry. 

Additionally, Hamm is set to voice the character Sentinel Prime in the upcoming movie “Transformers One,” slated for September 20, 2024. 

This role highlights his talent in voice acting and his ability to engage with diverse genres, from drama and comedy to action and animation.

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Beyond his acting achievements, Jon Hamm has amassed a considerable net worth, estimated at $45 million. 

This financial success reflects his prolific career and the high demand for his talent in various high-profile projects. 

Hamm’s journey from his early struggles to his current status as a prominent actor demonstrates his resilience and dedication to his craft. 

As he continues to take on new and exciting roles, Hamm remains a significant and influential figure in the entertainment world.

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