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When it comes to iconic TV characters, only a few have left as indelible a mark as the anti-heroes brought to life by actors like Bryan Cranston and James Gandolfini. From the morally complex Walter White inBreaking Badto the iconic Tony Soprano inThe Sopranos, these figures have continued to captivate audiences.
However, the actors behind these roles often grapple with the weight of their characters, as revealed by Jon Hamm, who masterfully portrayed the chain-smoking, booze-guzzling high-profile ad exec Don Draper in the period drama,Mad Men.
Jon Hamm Reflected on the Burden of HisMad MenCharacter
Jon Hammtook on the role of the advertising executive Don Draper in 1960s New York, who tries to balance his personal and professional life, inMad Men. While it’s been quite popular, Hamm has not been too pleased with how his character has been celebrated mostly for his flawed and problematic traits.
In an interview withThe Hollywood Reporter, he noted how often such characters are seen as a model of masculinity, despite their moral failings and personal issues.
The character got celebrated for the wrong reasons. People thought that Don was this paragon of masculinity or whatever. There were so many think-pieces, and you go, “Wait, he was pretty f**ked up.”
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He also reflected on how his fellow actors likeBryan CranstonandJames Gandolfinihave had similar struggles with their morally ambiguous roles in shows likeBreaking BadandThe Sopranos, respectively.
Jimmy Gandolfini, whom I knew a little bit, had a similar relationship to Tony Soprano, and Bryan Cranston had it with Walter White.
Reflecting on the series finale, which sees Don Draper retreating to California in search of enlightenment after a life full of inner turmoil, Hamm praised the showrunner, Matthew Weiner for giving an appropriate ending to the story of Don Draper.
Jon Hamm on Shared Struggles with Bryan Cranston and James Gandolfini
During his interview, Jon Hamm also reflected on whether he was able to receive any substantial advice from Cranston and Gandolfini regarding these challenges or how to move past such struggles.
While he said that he never received any direct advice from them, he did reflect on the unique connection he shared with both actors.“Jimmy and I have a very interesting connection,”he said while sharing how he has formed a poignant connection with Gandolfini’s son, Michael Gandolfini.
When he passed away, his son, Mikey, reached out to me, and I’ve been a bit of a mentor to him. He said, “My dad told me that you were a good guy.” I literally was like, “OK, let’s be friends.” And he is. He’s my buddy.
As for theBreaking Badstar, he shared that he met him during a photoshoot for an AMC lineup.“He’s in his tighty-whities and a chemical apron,”he said as he recalled how Cranston joked that he had the better deal with his suave wardrobe.
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Additionally, he also stated that Cranston’s friendship and wisdom have been invaluable, as they share a unique bond that allows them to relate to the challenges of playing morally complex characters and to commiserate over the shared experience.
The Sopranosis available to watch on Max.
Breaking Badis available to watch on Netflix.
Mad Menis available to watch on Amazon Prime Video.
Laxmi Rajput
Senior Writer
Articles Published :3448
Laxmi Rajput is a Senior Writer at FandomWire, with over 3,300 articles published covering film, TV, and pop culture. With a degree in Broadcast Journalism and over three years of experience in content writing, she pivoted to entertainment journalism because let’s be honest, superheroes, sitcoms, and Netflix binges are way more fun. Laxmi frequently covers Marvel, Harry Potter, Star Wars, and popular TV shows, offering both fan-first enthusiasm and thoughtful analysis. Her work often dives into Marvel theories, revisits the genius of The Big Bang Theory, or unpacks the Netflix phenomenon of Stranger Things.
