Good Hang with Amy Poehler Jon Hamm
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Apr 28, 2026 
Jon Hamm, the actor best known as Don Draper on Mad Men, chats about his career and friendships. He shares early audition tales, the grind before his breakout, and the origins of his Loser's Lounge camaraderie. Conversation includes baseball positions, on-set memories, his comic turns and alter ego Juan Jamón.
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How Hamm And Slattery Became Onscreen Brothers
- Jon Hamm and John Slattery met during Mad Men auditions and developed a brotherly working relationship that felt equal off-screen.
- Slattery recounts auditioning for Hamm's role, realizing Hamm was perfect, and bonding over early set photos from day one.
Watching TV Like Athletic Film Study
- Jon Hamm studied television performances like an athlete studies game tape, absorbing small pieces to learn acting craft.
- He described standing up in front of the TV, sampling scenes to internalize timing and choices as formative training.
The Arduous Mad Men Audition Process
- Jon Hamm described the long, multi-stage Mad Men audition that included pre-reads, multiple callbacks, and a New York executives meeting.
- He recalled being walked around the production office as 'Don Draper' before anyone officially told him he had the job.