Mad Men’s Don Draper, masterfully portrayed by Jon Hamm, once said, “When a man walks into a room, he brings his whole life with him. He has a million reasons for being anywhere. Just ask him.”
On January 31, those “million reasons” led Hamm to Harvard University, where he was honored as Hasty Pudding Theatricals’ 58th Man of the Year. He joins the ranks of past recipients such as Tom Hanks (1995), Harrison Ford (1996), and Robin Williams (1989).
After a morning filled with a tour of Harvard Yard and a private initiation ceremony, Hamm signed the guest book, where he wrote, “Well, now I can say I got into Harvard. Thank you to the powers that be for making the impossible possible.” He then added his name plaque to the wall, cementing his place in Hasty Pudding history.
Keeping with tradition, Hamm was roasted by Hasty Pudding’s President Cathy Stanton ’25 and Cast VP Bernardo Sequeira ’26. As a former host of Saturday Night Live (SNL), Hamm took the jokes about his roles and lack of Academy Awards in stride, often delivering witty one liners like “can’t say we haven’t tried,” when the Cast VP suggested that Hamm and Paul Rudd would make beautiful babies together. Hamm was also challenged to sell three ordinary products like Don Draper would: a pen to a newly unemployed person, car insurance to a “Baby Driver,” a nod to his 2017 film, and bathtime with Harry Potter.
After enduring the heat, Hamm was presented with the prestigious pudding pot. “This is such a wonderful honor. And you are so kind to have me. What kind I don’t know.”
Hamm went to say, “From one theater kid to many others, I thank you very much for honoring me with this.”
Hamm continued to express his gratitude during a press conference with Harrison Epstein ’25, and Liv Ernst ’26, sharing his personal connections to Cambridge, his wife’s hometown, and Boston, the setting of several films in his filmography, including The Town. Reflecting on his 25 year career, Hamm spoke about playing Roy Tillman in Fargo and collaborating with the show’s creator, Noah Hawley.
“You know, I’ve been super, super fortunate to work with some of the greatest writers we have going. And one of them is for sure Noah Hawley,” Hamm said. “Noah had a sense that he wanted to make this kind of larger-than-life character, this sort of Marlboro Man come to life, but with an interior life that maybe isn’t as obvious. And I think when you saw the scene of Roy luxuriating in his moisture pose and the sun glinting off of his nipple rings, that was probably a little more surprising to people.”
Hamm also credited SNL creator, Lorne Michaels for helping him break into comedy. “I really credit none other than Lorne Michaels for offering me a chance to host Saturday Night Live, which really let me show that I do have a funny side. Most of the people that knew me before Mad Men knew that was the predominant side of me. Hosting led to 30 Rock, Bridesmaids, and a lot of other gigs in the Tina Fey, Robert Carlock, Lorne Michaels universe. I’ll be forever grateful to him for that.”
When asked about the future of his character on the critically acclaimed Paramount+ series Landman, Hamm responded with a hint of finality, “I’ve said to most of the people that have seen the show, not to be a spoiler or anything, but usually when you’re surrounded by loved ones on a hospital bed and they’re crying, and the machine has a flat line on it, it’s not great. I’ll leave it at that.”
Following the press conference, Hamm took in a preview of Hasty Pudding Theatricals’ 176th production, 101 Damnations, which makes its public premiere on February 7. Tickets to the musical comedy spectacular can be purchased by visiting Hasty Pudding’s website or emailing [email protected].
As Hamm steps into his next role, he’ll have one more reason to add to his list: the honor of being Hasty Pudding’s 58th Man of the Year.
Grab an Old Fashioned, and cheers to that!
