Jon Hamm’s 10 Best Roles (That Aren’t Don Draper)

Jon Hamm may be best known for his role as Don Draper in the TV series, Mad Men, but he has many other characters that are worth consideration as some of his best. There’s no question that Hamm has excellent comedic acting chops, which many films and TV series have put to work in recent years. Additionally, he still has a lot to offer in dramatic settings without the character feeling like another iteration of Draper.

Hamm started in small roles in Hollywood, but Mad Men was the first major breakthrough that made him a household name. Since gaining notoriety, he’s been open to parts of all kinds, and while he has dabbled in film, it seems that television is where his strongest performances lie. The past few years have seen a resurgence of Hamm on television with his roles in The Morning Show, and Fargo. Known for his excellent chemistry with co-stars, Hamm adds a lot to every set he’s on.

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10 Tim Jones In Keeping Up With The Joneses (2016)

Genre: Comedy and Action

In Keeping Up With The Joneses, Hamm plays Tim Jones, a secret agent posing as a suburban husband in order to infiltrate a defense contracting company. Along the way, he and his fake wife, Natalie (Gal Gadot), meet their neighbors, Jeff (Zach Galifianakis) and Karen (Isla Fisher). As the group becomes further entangled with each other, and the investigation, the chemistry between Hamm and Galifianakis shines, and Hamm pulls his weight next to a comedic veteran. While the film did not perform well at the box office, it was not Hamm’s performance that was to blame.

9 Bob In Tag (2018)

Genre: Comedy and Action

Once again pitted against a group of comedians, Hamm plays Bob, in Tag, a film loosely based on a true story. A group of childhood friends have been playing the same game of tag since they were young, and four of them, including Bob, ally themselves to tag the one un-tagged member, Jerry (Jeremy Renner). While the premise is a bit silly, the film is filled with lots of heartfelt moments about friendship as well as comedic elements. Hamm is an excellent choice for a role such as this, which must balance the goofy moments with real emotion.

8 Rev. Richard Wayne Gary Wayne In Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (2015 -2020)

Genre: Sitcom

Though Hamm is a recognizable figure, he can still disappear into a role, and this was the case in Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. Hamm plays Rev. Richard, the man who trapped Kimmy (Ellie Kemper), and the other women underground in the inciting incident of the series. Throughout the show’s run, he appears several more times, all more campy and ridiculous than the last. While the Reverend is part of the heightened world of the show, he is not frightening to the audience, only a fun part of the series.

7 Cyclone In Top Gun: Maverick (2022)

Genre: Action and Thriller

Hamm plays a small, pivotal role in Top Gun: Maverick as Cyclone, a Vice Admiral who assembles the team of pilots that Maverick (Tom Cruise) must prepare for the mission. Jumping into the world of Top Gun is a tall order, especially the sequel, as there was a lot of build-up and excitement surrounding the long-awaited film. Despite this, Hamm does not crack under pressure and seamlessly fits into the architecture of the movie. He plays a strong foil to Cruise’s optimism and is an enjoyable character in the story.

6 Fletch In Confess, Fletch (2022)

Genre: Comedy and Crime

Based on the novel of the same name by Gregory McDonald, Confess, Fletch is a globe-trotting crime thriller that happens to have the hapless Fletch (Hamm) at the center of it. Fletch is continuously framed, out of his element, and trying to keep up with his scheming co-stars until he finally finds himself on top in the end. As the protagonist, who carries the film, Hamm doesn’t shy away from the spotlight and does the fish-out-of-water bit quite well in his time as Fletch.

5 Buddy In Baby Driver (2017)

Genre: Heist and Action

Hamm has proved himself in both drama and comedy, but Baby Driver may be the only role where he truly comes off as scary. As part of a group of thieves in Atlanta, Buddy (Hamm) seems like one of the safest of the bunch, until his wife is killed during a botched heist, and he goes after Baby (Ansel Elgort) with everything he’s got. The film takes several unexpected turns and delivers plenty of gore and action, but Hamm’s rage as Buddy gives the movie a sinister undercurrent. Although he is a secondary antagonist, Hamm makes his presence known in every scene he’s in.

4 Gabriel In Good Omens (2019 – 2023)

Genre: Fantasy and Comedy

The angel, Gabriel (Hamm), is in both seasons of Good Omens, but it’s in the second season that Hamm gets to have the most fun. In season 1, he is a serious agent of God and is seen as a hindrance and antagonist to Aziraphale and Crowley, even enjoying their possible destruction. However, the tables are turned when Aziraphale must hide archangel Gabriel in Good Omens.

At the start of season 2, he loses his memories, and shows up at Aziraphale’s door almost as a child, learning about the human world. This ability to capture angelic authority and childlike innocence within the same character is part of what makes Hamm a fantastic actor. It’s just as easy to love or hate him, depending on the scene.

3 Dr. Drew Baird In 30 Rock (2006 – 2013)

Genre: Sitcom

Season 3 of 30 Rock is when Hamm gets the most screen time, although he does make small guest appearances throughout the remaining seasons. In the show, he plays Drew, a handsome doctor, who turns out to be completely incompetent. It turns out he has been treated differently his whole life because of how handsome he is. This is a funny enough premise, but Hamm takes it and runs with it, really committing to physical comedy and seeming unintelligent. While Liz (Tina Fey) and Drew do break up, seeing them together is still a hilarious part of the show.

2 Paul Marks In The Morning Show (2019 – )

Genre: Drama

Paul Marks (Hamm) appeared on The Morning Show in season 3, as a tech billionaire who becomes involved with the network, UBA. Throughout the seasons’ run, Hamm’s character was frequently compared to real-life tech CEOs like Elon Musk or Jeff Bezos, but Hamm brings something unique to his portrayal of this archetype. He has fantastic on-screen chemistry with Jennifer Aniston and marks his initial return to dramatic television post Mad Men with a splash. He’s still a troubled businessman, but not quite as haunted as Don Draper.

1 Roy Tillman In Fargo (2014 – )

Genre: Drama and Crime

Since the premiere of season 5 of the anthology series, Fargo, Hamm’s performance as Roy Tillman has been generating a lot of buzz. Season 5 of Fargo is similar to the original movie, with Tillman as a sheriff in North Dakota, out to solve the mystery surrounding Dot (Juno Temple), despite his own shaky morals and checkered past. Against the setting of the Midwest, and with a new accent, Hamm stands out.

While on paper, this performance may sound similar to Hamm’s time as Draper, there’s still a lot more for him to do and explore as an actor. The stakes are raised, with murder involved, and he has a new code of ethics he abides by or ignores. Fargo is known for its outstanding ensemble cast that carries each season, and Hamm is no exception on that list.