Campus & Community
What a Hamm
Seniors Ava Pallotta (left) and Jessica Zisk kiss performer Jon Hamm during his roast Friday at Farkas Hall as Hasty Pudding’s 2025 Man of the Year.
Niles Singer/Harvard Staff Photographer
Cinematic and television star enjoys some amusement as Hasty’s 2025 Man of the Year
Was it a piece of deli meat or the actor Jon Hamm that Elle magazine once characterized as “possessing a distinctive Midwestern farm charm”? That inquiry was among several challenging moments in the “Ham or Hamm?” segment of Hasty Pudding’s 2025 Man of the Year celebration on Friday at Farkas Hall. You are excused if you find yourself perplexed.
Hamm, an Emmy and Golden Globe recipient recognized for his performances in “Mad Men,” “Fargo,” and the Boston-based crime thriller “The Town,” was celebrated — and roasted — prior to a preview of Hasty’s 176th show, “101 Damnations.” The president of the theatrical troupe, Catherine Stanton ’25, along with cast vice president, Bernardo de Moura Sequeira ’26, teased the actor about his height, attractiveness, and his friendship with fellow performer Paul Rudd. Hamm was thrilled to join in on the fun, revisiting his “Mad Men” persona, among other antics.
Hamm alongside “The Real Paul Rudd” portrayed by junior Weston Lewin.
Niles Singer/Harvard Staff Photographer
Kissing the Pudding Pot.
Niles Singer/Harvard Staff Photographer
Accompanied on stage by Mattea Conforti ’28 (from left), Will Jevon ’27, and Christopher Rivers ’25.
Niles Singer/Harvard Staff Photographer
“Well, now I can proudly say I got into Harvard,” the actor remarked while signing the guest book.
Stephanie Mitchell/Harvard Staff Photographer
The honored individuals of Hasty Pudding throughout the years.
Stephanie Mitchell/Harvard Staff Photographer
Prior to the festivities, Andrew Farkas ’82, for whom Hasty Pudding’s theater was renamed in 2018, took the opportunity to welcome Hamm and discuss the organization’s mission.
“We are a creative and charitable community whose profits from all activities are mainly directed to support performing arts-focused educational institutions globally,” he stated. “We have discovered that providing individuals with a stage and allowing them to express their aspirations can significantly enhance self-worth and growth, which encapsulates what Hasty Pudding stands for: assisting others while enjoying ourselves and generating art in various forms.”
Following the roast, Hamm was inquired about the future of his character in the television series “Landman,” which has fans worried may not return for another season. “I’ve mentioned to many who have viewed the show, without revealing too much, but typically, when you find yourself surrounded by loved ones at a hospital bed where they’re crying and the monitor shows a flat line, things aren’t looking good,” he shared.
He also reminisced about “Mad Men,” declaring it a “pinnacle in my life and career.” Regarding his comedic side, the opportunity to host “Saturday Night Live” marked a turning point for Hamm. He expressed his gratitude to the show’s creator, Lorne Michaels, “for granting me that chance, which opened doors to ‘30 Rock,’ leading to ‘Bridesmaids.’ . . . I will always be grateful to him for that.”
When asked about “The Town,” Hamm asserted that his Boston dialect in the Ben Affleck-directed film was “meant to be subpar.”
“That’s my story, and I’m sticking with it,” he added before kissing his Pudding Pot.
Hasty Pudding will recognize the 2025 Woman of the Year, Cynthia Erivo, with a roast on February 5.