'Mad Men' Final Season Air Date, Cast News: Jon Hamm Completes Rehab for Alcohol Addiction as Final Episodes Premiere on April 5
"Mad Men" star Jon Hamm has just completed a 30-day stay in rehab for alcohol addiction, and it comes just before the final seven episodes of the 1960's period drama start airing on April 5. Hamm plays the confident and hard-drinking advertising man Don Draper.
In what seems like life imitating art, Hamm has had to deal with alcohol issues. He checked into a high-end rehab center in Connecticut late February, according to the TMZ.
"With the support of his long-time partner Jennifer Westfeldt, (Hamm) recently completed treatment for his struggle with alcohol addiction," said publicist Annett Wolf in a statement. "They have asked for privacy and sensitivity going forward," she added.
During a recent "Mad Men" press day at the Lincoln Hotel in New York, the cast did some promotional interview sessions with a rotating pack of writers and TV hosts. At the time, it was not yet known that Hamm had been to rehab, so none of the questions had been about that. Don Draper's drinking was not covered as well.
Looking back at Hamm's career, before "Mad Men" he was a working actor who had not yet found his "star," so to speak. Enter the character of Don Draper in 2017, and suddenly, he got seven Emmy nominations as best dramatic actor and become one of the most popular and recognizable faces and names around.
With the inevitable end of "Mad Men," the question is: "What's next?" Therein potentially lies the pressure that Hamm is facing. He has had numerous guest roles outside of "Mad Men" as well as movie roles. But none made as much a mark as his role in "Mad Men."
Hamm made a light joke in a recent interview, saying he hoped he won't have to do only rom-coms for the rest of his career. Light comedies are fun, but as an actor who has had to essay a very complex part like Don Draper, Hamm is probably wishing to sink his teeth on something as challenging in his next TV or movie role.