‘Mad Men’ star Jon Hamm honored as Hasty Pudding Theatricals Man of the Year
By Payton Zagacki
The Hasty Pudding Theatricals of Harvard University awarded their 2025 Man of the Year to actor Jon Hamm.
Hamm is known for his performances in projects such as “Fargo,” “Landman,” “Grimsburg,” “Top Gun: Maverick,” “Baby Driver,” and “Your Friends and Neighbors,” as well as his Primetime Emmy and Golden Globe Awarded role as Don Draper in the hit series “Mad Men.”
Hamm was honored to be recognized by the oldest theatrical organization in the United States, saying, “From one theater kid to many others, I thank you for honoring me with this.”
“We are beyond excited to honor Jon Hamm as our 2025 Man of the Year,” said President Cathy Stanton. “Of course, to claim his Pudding Pot, he’ll have to prove he’s the real Jon Hamm—we’ve seen how good he is at keeping an identity under wraps!”
Hamm was presented his award at Farkas Hall, the home of the theatrical organization since 1888. Before he could be deemed worthy of his prize, Hamm had to participate in a celebratory roast, a tradition of the award ceremony. He was asked to complete all sorts of ridiculous tasks from cutting a fake ham to selling car insurance to a baby.
Hamm had no idea what to expect from the roast.
“I thought it would be more fun if I just sort of entered it like most things with eyes wide open, knowing that it’s all in good fun, and I’m glad I did,” said Hamm. “I did notice that the four or five men of the year before me are all in my phone, so I could have certainly hit them up, but I’m glad I didn’t and let it be a wonderfully pleasant surprise.”
The Hasty Pudding Theatricals’ Man of the Year is an award presented yearly to actors whose performances have made lasting contributions to the entertainment industry. Since its inception in 1967, many household names have been honored, including Clint Eastwood, Harrison Ford, Samuel L. Jackson, and last year’s recipient Barry Keoghan.
Hamm was able to reflect on his career, expressing gratitude for his breakout roles.
“Mad Men is, was, and will always be a highwater mark in my life and career,” said Hamm. “I think it will be ten years since we wrapped and twenty years this year since we started the show so it’s fading in the rearview but it’s still very prevalent in my life.”
Though the roast claimed the majority of Harvard students thought he was dead, Hamm will soon be gracing TV screens again in his new show, “Your Friends and Neighbors” on Apple TV+. Hamm stars as a New York hedge fund manager who is recently divorced and unemployed. He resorts to a life of crime to keep his family living the luxurious life they are accustomed to. The first two episodes air on April 11.
This year’s Hasty Pudding Woman of the Year award will be presented on February 5 to Cynthia Erivo.