Jon Hamm’s Road to Mad Men
Hey there! Did you know, before Jon Hamm became the legendary Don Draper in Mad Men, he was just another actor trying to make it in Hollywood? Shocking, right? He wasn’t sure if he’d ever be a hit thanks to his not-so-lucky audition history. Can you believe he missed out on a role in The West Wing? Yup, Rob Lowe got the part instead.
Jon was in doubt when he came across the Mad Men script. He thought it was pretty cool, but wasn’t sure if he could snag the lead role, especially after losing The West Wing part to Rob Lowe. But guess what? Life took a turn, and Jon got called early for Mad Men auditions, beating other famous faces to take up Don Draper’s role.
Rob Lowe was in the running for Don Draper’s character as well but couldn’t even make it to the auditions. Guess things worked out pretty well for Jon after all!
A Chat Among TV Antiheroes
What’s extra cool is that joining Mad Men put Jon in the same club as other remarkable actors who’ve played unforgettable antiheroes on TV. Think Tony Soprano and Walter White – complex characters that left a significant mark on screen.
Jon once admitted chatting with James Gandolfini, who played Tony, and Bryan Cranston, who played Walter, about how their characters are viewed by fans. According to Jon, despite their popularity, these characters weren’t meant to be heroes but were often seen that way.
Interestingly, Jon shares a strong bond with Michael, James Gandolfini’s son. They even did a photoshoot together for AMC, promoting Mad Men and Breaking Bad.
Wrapping It Up: Jon Hamm’s Iconic Role
After Mad Men, Jon’s career really took off. Despite his initial doubts and struggles, he brilliantly portrayed Don Draper, earning him two Golden Globes and a Primetime Emmy. That’s impressive!
Like his character Don, Jon faced his fair share of ups and downs on his journey to Mad Men. But in the end, he delivered a fantastic performance, creating a character that’ll be remembered for a long time.
The seven-season run of Mad Men was a huge success, and Jon’s incredible acting was a major reason why. If you’re a hardcore fan, or even if you’ve never seen the show, don’t worry. You can watch the entire series on AMC+.
In Conclusion
Jon Hamm’s transformation into the iconic Don Draper wasn’t a walk in the park. His struggles and doubts made his journey all the more remarkable, proving that with talent and perseverance, one can overcome all obstacles and achieve greatness. His portrayal of Don Draper in Mad Men is a testament to his exceptional acting skills, setting a high standard for TV drama performances. It’s safe to say that every step of his journey was worth it in the end.
For more details, visit Project Casting Blog on https://www.projectcasting.com/blog/news/jon-hamm-behind-the-scenes-of-mad-men-casting-and-reflecting-on-iconic-tv-characters/