In a very surreal case of life imitating art, Mad Men lead actor Jon Hamm released a statement today through a publicist confirming his recent departure from high-end rehabilitation facility Silver Hill Hospital in New Canaan, Connecticut. With the support of his wife, actress and filmmaker Jessica Westfeldt, Hamm reportedly sought treatment for alcohol addiction over a thirty day program beginning in late February and has asked for “privacy and sensitivity going forward” in the following succinct statement:
“With the support of his longtime partner Jennifer Westfeldt, Jon Hamm recently completed treatment for his struggle with alcohol addiction. They have asked for privacy and sensitivity going forward.“
Hamm once told The Guardian that, as an actor, “Our names tend to come with something attached – an audience and an expectation, and I guess a price tag. The challenge is to choose the right things to do.” In that same interview, Hamm dismissed any similarities between himself and the fatally flawed anti-hero with whom he has become synonymous, Don Draper, saying “I’m not that methody. I am very cognisant that I am playing a character. Don Draper is a pretty dismal, despicable guy, so why I would want to take him home with me I don’t know.”
Mad Men’s final half-season begins airing Easter Sunday in the states on AMC, locally soon after on Foxtel and six years later on SBS. Series creator Matthew Weiner will visit Sydney later this year as part of the Vivid Ideas lineup. You can find out more on that here.
via Variety
Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for AMC
