Jon Hamm’s compelling portrayal of Don Draper in Mad Men transformed him into a household name and exemplified his talent for capturing complex, layered characters. With a career spanning TV, film, and theater, Hamm remains a dynamic, respected figure in Hollywood.
Jon Hamm
Jon Hamm played multiple sports in high school, including football, baseball, and swimming, showcasing his athletic versatility.
Before acting fame, he worked as a set dresser on adult films, a job he credits with teaching him professionalism.
Hamm auditioned seven times before landing the role of Don Draper, demonstrating perseverance.
He won the Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series in 2015 after 12 nominations.
Jon Hamm is a three-time host of Saturday Night Live, earning critical praise for his comedic timing.
Despite his serious roles, he has showcased a natural talent for comedy in shows like 30 Rock and Parks and Recreation.
Hamm attended the University of Missouri and later studied at the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco.
He contributed significantly to charity, raising over $100,000 for cancer research at a Desert Smash tennis event.
Hamm portrayed a suave villain in the film Baby Driver, widely applauded by critics and fans alike.
He made his directorial debut in the film Becky in 2020, venturing into thriller territory.
Jon Hamm earned awards from the Screen Actors Guild as part of Mad Men’s ensemble cast twice.
He voiced a character in the animated series The Powerpuff Girls, showing his diverse voice acting skills.
Jon grew up in St. Louis, Missouri, often visiting his mother’s favorite spots, which grounded him in Midwestern values.
His intense Don Draper character was inspired in part by Hamm’s personal struggle with identity and past.
Jon Hamm serves on several boards and participates actively in theater production beyond his acting roles.
Bob Odenkirk successfully pulled off one of the rarest career pivots in Hollywood history, transforming from a cult comedy writer into a critically acclaimed dramatic actor and action hero. For decades, he worked behind the scenes writing for legends, creating the alternative comedy scene in the nineties. However, his role as the morally flexible lawyer Saul Goodman introduced him to a global audience and earned him multiple award nominations. Furthermore, his recent turn as an action star proves that it is never too late to reinvent yourself. Prepare to call Saul with the man who brings him to life.
Bob OdenkirkBob Odenkirk
He wrote the legendary “Matt Foley: Van Down by the River” sketch for Chris Farley. While working at The Second City in Chicago, Bob Odenkirk created the character of the frantic motivational speaker specifically for Farley. He later brought the sketch to Saturday Night Live, where it became one of the most famous segments in the show’s history.
He almost played Michael Scott on The Office. The producers considered him the top choice for the role if Steve Carell declined the offer. He eventually appeared in the final season of the show as a manager who acts suspiciously like Michael Scott, giving fans a glimpse of what could have been.
He trained for two years to become an action star for the movie Nobody. At the age of fifty-eight, he underwent brutal physical training to perform his own fight choreography. He wanted to do his own stunts to show the audience that an ordinary dad could truly experience that level of exhaustion and pain.
He suffered a major heart attack on the set of Better Call Saul. During the filming of the final season, he collapsed. His heart stopped beating for nearly twenty minutes. Fortunately, the on-set health safety supervisor performed CPR immediately. He saves hislife and allowing him to finish the series after recovery.
He originally had not seen Breaking Bad when he accepted the role of Saul Goodman. When the producers offered him the part, he had to call a friend to ask if the show was actually any good. He accepted the job primarily because he needed the money, unaware he was joining one of the biggest shows on television.
He discovered the comedy duo Tim & Eric. Bob Odenkirk saw a DVD they sent him and immediately recognized their bizarre genius. He helped them get their first show on Adult Swim, effectively launching their careers and the specific style of cringe comedy they popularized.
He won two Emmy Awards for writing before he became famous for acting. He earned trophies for his writing work on Saturday Night Live and The Ben Stiller Show. Despite his massive success as an actor later in life, the Emmys surprisingly never awarded him a statue for his performance as Saul Goodman.
He appeared in Seinfeld as Elaine’s boyfriend. In the episode “The Abstinence,” he played Ben, a doctor who technically hadn’t passed his licensing exam. Elaine eventually breaks up with him because he isn’t a “real” doctor, a classic Seinfeldian conflict.
He shared an office with Conan O’Brien at Saturday Night Live. The two future legends worked together as writers in the late eighties and remained close friends. They often spent their time doing silly bits to make each other laugh rather than working on actual sketches for the show.
He created the cult classic sketch show Mr. Show with Bob and David. Along with David Cross, he pioneered a style of sketch comedy where every scene transitioned seamlessly into the next. Although it wasn’t a ratings hit at the time, comedians today cite it as a major influence on modern humor.
Saul Goodman was only supposed to appear in three episodes. The writers intended for the lawyer to be a temporary character to help Walt and Jesse out of a jam. However, Odenkirk’s performance was so electric that they kept bringing him back, eventually giving him his own spinoff series.
He voiced a major character in The Incredibles 2. He provided the voice for Winston Deavor, the wealthy businessman who wants to bring superheroes back into the spotlight. He noted that he channeled his inner enthusiastic salesman to bring the character to life.
He wrote a memoir titled Comedy Comedy Comedy Drama. The book chronicles his journey from sketch comedy writer to dramatic actor. In it, he speaks candidly about his career struggles and the “cynicism” he had to let go of to find happiness.
The hairpiece he wore as Saul Goodman was a deliberate character choice. Bob Odenkirk and the stylists designed a mullet-comb-over hybrid to show that the character was trying to look younger and “cool.” He jokingly referred to the hairpiece as his main acting partner.
Finally, Bob Odenkirk played the father in Greta Gerwig’s Little Women. In a departure from his usual sleazy or comedic roles, he played the kind and gentle Mr. March. This role showcased his range and ability to play warm, sincere characters just as effectively as con men.
Viggo Mortensen is more than just Aragorn—he’s a seasoned actor, poet, photographer, and publisher with a rich multicultural background. Discover fascinating insights into his multifaceted career and artistic passions.
Viggo Mortensen
Viggo Mortensen was born on October 20, 1958, in New York City and has Danish, American, and Argentine heritage.
He gained worldwide fame for portraying Aragorn in the epic “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy.
Mortensen pursues multiple art forms beyond acting, including photography, poetry, painting, music, and publishing.
He founded Perceval Press to support artists and authors whom mainstream publishers often overlook.
Viggo is known for his dedication to roles, learning new skills like horse riding and sword fighting for “The Lord of the Rings.”
He earned three Academy Award nominations, including for the films “Eastern Promises,” “Captain Fantastic,” and “Green Book.”
Mortensen began his career in films with a small role in Ridley Scott’s “Witness” (1985).
He is fluent in English, Danish, Spanish, and French, owing to his multinational upbringing.
Apart from Hollywood, Viggo has worked in independent films and international cinema, always choosing challenging characters.
He once infamously responded to a journalist’s rude question by flipping the bird—a testament to his passionate and sometimes fiery personality.
Mortensen’s interest in poetry and photography often intersects with his film projects, capturing behind-the-scenes moments and inspirations.
He is also a humanitarian, involved in social and environmental causes, often using his art and platform to highlight important issues.
Viggo has performed live readings of poetry and frequently collaborates with other artists across creative disciplines.
He speaks openly about his family life, including his three children and relationship with his wife, which gives him a down-to-earth aura.
Despite his fame, Mortensen maintains a somewhat private life and earns admiration for his humility and depth both on and off screen.
