Hottie Jon Hamm plays Don Draper on AMC’s Mad Men, but in real life he’s no mysterious lothario like his character.  He shared a bit about his past (no stolen identities) and his philosophy on life with Barbara O’Dair.

On his early life:

I lost both of my parents at a relatively young age and bounced around various families and homes and friends and groups for quite awhile.  If there’s any connection between Don Draper and me, it’s understanding that where you come from isn’t necessarily as important as where you are.

On deciding on an acting career:

I started acting in grade school and kept returning to it in high school and college.  Theater departments are usually a big collection of orphans and screwups – kind of lost tribes – and I found kinship there.  When I started thinking about what to do with the rest of my life, acting was the only  thing I kept coming back to.

On the wisdom that comes with age:

There is no one answer to happiness, despite what advertising or politics or entertainment tells you.  Everybody has a different definition.  The main thing is to [stay true to] your own happiness.  To say, Okay, this is what I feel, this is what I think is important, and this is what I am going to pursue.  Oh, and while you’re pursuing your own happiness, don’t hurt anyone along the way.

Wise words!  Too bad Jon didn’t win an Emmy this year…

[ Images by Jody Cortes / WENN.com ]

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