‘Mad Men’ season 7: Now we know why Jon Hamm grows those hiatus beards so often
If you see Jon Hamm at a time in which he is not working on “Mad Men” or another project over the years, there is one very discernible characteristic about him that stands out: That mountain man beard on his face. Given Hamm’s dark hair color, we imagine that he has a hard time even not growing a beard when this is the intention, and that makes it rather frustrating as an actor when you have to play a clean-shaven character for a long stretch of time.
When you think about that for a second and then read the quote below, you will almost instantly have a good understanding as why Hamm often chooses not to shave when he does not have to to play a role. Speaking to OK! Magazine, “Mad Men” makeup artist Lana Horochowski literally said that she has to shave the actor numerous times a day just for him to still have that same look on TV:
“For so long, they were all so clean-shaven. We shoot such long hours, and for Jon, [Hamm] we shave sometimes two, three times a day. Now that we’re in the later season, some of them are wearing fake facial hair. It’s more skin maintenance. We throw a little tinted moisturizer on them.”
If there is some good news for Hamm now, it is that we could feasibly see it where he would not have to be so clean shaven in the new season, and for one simple reason: Don Draper is on “leave” from SC&P, and who knows when he will be going back? Given the show’s habit of time jumps, it would not surprise to see season 7 start off with him months ahead in time, struggling to find work or even struggling to get out of bed. Or, who knows? Maybe “Dick Whitman” has found another way to make a living, and con another group of people into thinking that he is something more than what he really is.
“Mad Men” season 7, in case you have not heard for whatever reason, will be split up into two separate seasons that will air in 2014 and 2015, with is great for Jon’s chances to eventually take home an Emmy award. If you want to at least hear Jon talk about the show’s upcoming production dates, click here; we’ll hopefully have a little more scoop later this fall, but remember that this show is notoriously private and actors are not allowed to say anything.
Photo: AMC