Overview

Jonathan Daniel “Jon” Hamm (born March 10, 1971) is an American actor. He gained wide recognition for his portrayal of Don Draper in the AMC television series Mad Men (2007–2015), a role that earned him a Primetime Emmy Award and two Golden Globe Awards. Outside of Mad Men, Hamm has appeared in a range of television and film roles, showcasing his versatility as an actor. Hamm decided he wanted to be an actor while in college. He relocated to Los Angeles in the mid-90s and, unfortunately, found little success. After three years without a booking, he was dropped by his agent, and he decided that if he didn’t book anything by age 30, he would go back to his home state and work a regular job. His career has grossed over $4.7 billion worldwide in 34 movies.

What Is Jon Hamm’s Net Worth?

Jon Hamm, a celebrated American television and film actor, boasts a substantial net worth of $45 million. This financial success stems primarily from his acting career, notably his iconic portrayal of Don Draper in the acclaimed AMC series “Mad Men.” Beyond this signature role, Hamm has cultivated a diverse portfolio of acting credits across both television and film, complemented by his talents as a voice actor.

Early Life and Career Beginnings

Jonathan Daniel Hamm entered the world on March 10, 1971, in St. Louis, Missouri. His childhood was marked by his parents’ divorce when he was just two years old. He resided with his mother until her passing when he was ten. Subsequently, he relocated to Normandy, Missouri, to live with his father and grandmother. Hamm’s introduction to acting occurred in the first grade, although he initially perceived it as a hobby rather than a viable career path. During his high school years, he actively participated in football, baseball, and swimming teams. Tragically, his father passed away shortly after Hamm’s high school graduation. Hamm pursued higher education at the University of Texas, where he faced legal repercussions following a hazing incident within a fraternity. He then transferred to the University of Missouri. During his time there, he immersed himself in theater, securing roles in productions such as “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and “Assassins.” In 1993, Jon Hamm earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Missouri. After graduation, Hamm returned to his high school to teach acting.

After two years of teaching, Hamm decided to pursue a full-time acting career and moved to Los Angeles. His initial foray into the Los Angeles acting scene was fraught with challenges. Arriving with a mere $150 and a car, Hamm initially shared accommodation with other aspiring actors. To sustain himself, he worked as a waiter while attending auditions. After three years of unsuccessful auditions, his agency terminated their representation. Remaining steadfast, Hamm continued to work as a waiter, setting himself a new deadline: to achieve established actor status by the age of 30, or relinquish his ambitions and return home. Fortunately, his persistence paid off, and Hamm began to secure roles. In 2000, he made an appearance on NBC’s “Providence,” initially as a guest star, which then evolved into a recurring role spanning 19 episodes. This led to his debut film appearance in “Space Cowboys.” By 2001, Hamm had landed significant roles in films such as “Kissing Jessica Stein” and “We Were Soldiers.” During this period, he continued to appear in television series such as “The Division,” “CSI: Miami,” “Numb3rs,” and “The Sarah Silverman Program.”

Breakthrough Role: “Mad Men” and Subsequent Success

Despite his established presence in the acting world, Jon Hamm’s true breakthrough arrived in 2007 when he was cast as Don Draper in the hit series “Mad Men.” Hamm’s casting was unexpected, given that he was chosen from a pool of 80 auditionees, many of whom possessed greater fame. “Mad Men,” set in the 1960s, saw Hamm portray an advertising executive. Hamm drew inspiration for his character from memories of his father, who, like Don Draper, was an influential figure with a mysterious past. The series quickly gained popularity, debuting with an audience of 1.7 million viewers. Hamm garnered critical acclaim for his performance, earning a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in 2008.

Throughout the run of “Mad Men,” Jon Hamm’s salary progressively increased. By the end of the series, Jon Hamm was earning a peak amount of $275,000 per episode, equating to approximately $4 million per season. Around the time “Mad Men” concluded in 2015, Jon Hamm finally won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series after being nominated for the award 12 times during the series’ run.

During his time on “Mad Men,” Hamm actively pursued various film roles. In 2008, he starred in “The Day the Earth Stood Still,” which, despite mixed reviews, grossed an impressive $230 million worldwide. In 2009, Hamm took on a leading role for the first time in the film “Stolen.” That same year, he provided voice acting for “Shrek Forever After” before appearing in “The Town.” In 2011, he appeared in “Sucker Punch,” “Bridesmaids,” and “Friends with Kids.” In 2014, Jon Hamm played a sports agent in the film “Million Dollar Arm.” In 2015, Jon Hamm showcased his voice acting abilities again in “Minions,” playing Herb Overkill. The movie was a massive box office hit with earnings of over $1 billion. Next year, he starred in “Keeping Up With the Joneses.” Another notable role was in 2017’s “Baby Driver.” Over the course of Hamm’s career, he has also appeared in TV series such as “Saturday Night Live,” “30 Rock,” “A Young Doctor’s Notebook,” “Black Mirror,” and “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.” In 2017, he joined the cast of the series “Good Omens” as the Archangel Gabriel.

Endorsements and Other Ventures

In addition to his acting career, Jon Hamm has supplemented his income through various endorsements. Since 2010, he has been the voice for Mercedes-Benz commercials. While the specific financial terms of his Mercedes-Benz endorsement deal remain undisclosed, similar high-profile actors typically enter into long-term contracts encompassing a predetermined number of commercials per year. Based on comparable endorsement contracts, Jon Hamm is likely operating under a 5-year $15-25 million deal to work with Mercedes. That’s $3-5 million per year if you want to think of it that way. But the money is likely paid upfront. Hamm has also lent his image to endorsements for H&R Block and American Airlines, further contributing to his overall earnings.

Real Estate Investments

Jon Hamm’s real estate portfolio includes notable properties in both New York City and Los Angeles. In 2013, Jon Hamm and Jennifer Westfeldt acquired a 1,000-square-foot penthouse on the Upper West Side of Manhattan for $2.45 million. After the couple’s separation, the penthouse underwent extensive renovations before being rented out for almost $15,000 per month in 2017. In 2017, Jon Hamm also invested $3.375 million in a four-bedroom house in Los Feliz, Los Angeles.

Personal Life

Jon Hamm was in a long-term relationship with actress and screenwriter Jennifer Westfeldt from 1997 to 2015. During his role in “Mad Men,” where his character Don Draper frequently smoked, Jon Hamm used herbal cigarettes as he had quit smoking at the age of 24. In 2015, Hamm sought treatment for alcoholism.

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