Jon Hamm Honored as Harvard’s Hasty Pudding Man of the Year 2025

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Jon Hamm Honored as Harvard’s Hasty Pudding Man of the Year 2025/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Jon Hamm, best known for his role as Don Draper in Mad Men, was named Harvard’s Hasty Pudding Theatricals’ 2025 Man of the Year. The actor endured a lively roast before receiving his Pudding Pot award, participating in humorous skits and satirical ad pitches. Hamm, who recently starred in Fargo and Landman, joins a prestigious list of past winners, including Barry Keoghan, Bob Odenkirk, and Jason Bateman.

Harvard University’s Hasty Pudding Theatricals Man of the Year Jon Hamm holds his award, Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, in Cambridge, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Jon Hamm Named Hasty Pudding’s 2025 Man of the Year: Quick Looks

Jon Hamm Honored – Recognized for his contributions to entertainment at Harvard’s annual event.
Mad Men Meets Comedy – Hamm performed a Don Draper-style pitch for outrageous products.
Roast & Ridicule – Teased about his looks, height, and lack of an Academy Award.
Prestigious Award – Follows past honorees like Barry Keoghan, Bob Odenkirk, and Jason Bateman.
Hasty Pudding Theatricals – The world’s third-oldest theater troupe, dating back to 1844.
Cynthia Erivo Next – Wicked star to be honored as Woman of the Year on Feb. 6.

Jon Hamm Honored as Harvard’s Hasty Pudding Man of the Year 2025

Jon Hamm Receives Hasty Pudding’s Man of the Year Honor: Deep Look

A Harvard Tradition: Celebrating Excellence in Entertainment

Harvard University’s Hasty Pudding Theatricals, the world’s third-oldest theater group, continued its time-honored tradition by naming Jon Hamm as the 2025 Man of the Year. Known for his Emmy-winning portrayal of Don Draper on Mad Men, Hamm was celebrated in a mix of comedy, roasting, and theater in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

The event, part of Grammy weekend festivities, saw Hamm participate in hilarious antics before receiving his Pudding Pot award, a signature honor given to entertainers with a lasting impact.

Jon Hamm’s Roast: Height Jokes & Academy Award Teasing

Before receiving the coveted Pudding Pot, Hamm was subjected to a playful roasting by members of the Hasty Pudding Theatricals. The skit poked fun at:
His height – Hamm was compared to past winners, with playful digs at his stature.
His lack of an Academy Award – A recurring joke throughout the night.
His good looks (or lack thereof, according to the roasters) – A contestant in a Paul Rudd mask (the 2018 honoree) was humorously suggested as the more attractive winner.

Hamm also faced a bizarre trivia challenge—competing against a piece of deli meat, which the presenters jokingly claimed had won an Oscar for Production Design in 2017.

Don Draper Returns: Hamm’s Hilarious Ad Pitches

One of the highlights of the night was Hamm channeling his Mad Men character Don Draper, delivering mock pitches for ridiculous products, including:
Car insurance for a baby driver
A pen for a woman who landed her dream job—only to be fired immediately
A lifetime bath-time voucher with Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe

In classic Draper fashion, Hamm delivered the last pitch with dramatic flair:

“Hi, do you love Daniel Radcliffe? How about Harry Potter?” he asked an excited woman on stage.
“I would say let’s sit in a tub together, but that sounds, A, terrifying, and B, marginally illegal.”

Hamm on Comedy, SNL & His Most Challenging Role

During a post-roast press conference, Hamm credited Saturday Night Live creator Lorne Michaels for helping him develop his comedic side. While he’s best known for drama, Hamm has hosted SNL three times and appeared in several comedic roles.

However, he admitted that Don Draper remains his most rewarding and difficult role:

“It was the most challenging and the most fun character I’ve ever played.”

Hamm also addressed his role as Monty Miller in Landman, joking that his character’s fate is sealed:

“Usually when you’re surrounded by your loved ones on a hospital bed and they’re crying, and the machine has a flat line on it—it’s not great.”

Hasty Pudding: A Rich Theatrical Legacy

Hasty Pudding Theatricals, founded in 1844, is one of the oldest and most prestigious theater organizations in the world. It has honored entertainers for decades, celebrating their impact on film, television, and comedy.