Eighth time’s the charm for Jon Hamm.
The actor won his first Emmy on Sunday night, after receiving Outstanding Lead Actor nominations for his work on “Mad Men” every year since the renowned AMC drama debuted in 2007.
“There’s been a terrible mistake, clearly,” he joked from the podium, accepting his award in front of a standing ovation.
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“This is impossible. It’s impossible to be named with all of those extraordinary gentlemen. It’s impossible to be standing here, up here,” he continued. “It’s impossible to have done this show with this incredible cast, with these incredible people, these incredible writers, our incredible crew.”
The 44-year-old was still shocked after leaving the stage, telling Access Hollywood’s Liz Hernandez that he suspected presenter and good friend Tina Fey might have pulled a few strings in his favor.
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“I think it’s all a huge joke that somehow Tina’s played on me,” Jon smiled.
“It was very nice of her,” he said of being able to receive the honor directly from the “30 Rock” creator.
The two have been pals for years — Jon guest-starred on the NBC comedy as one of Tina’s onscreen love interests, and, most recently, also appeared in her Netflix series “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.”
“I told [Tina] on stage, I said, ‘I’m glad that you read my name, whatever it says on there,'” he said of his win.
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“Mad Men” ended its seven-season run in May. The period drama nabbed four consecutive Outstanding Drama Series Emmys along the way, along with a reputation as one of the most critically acclaimed television shows in history.
Jon said his Emmy represents a culmination of everything he and the “Mad Men” team have strived for.
“It’s obviously an incredible journey that we all have been on with the show, and work that we’re so, so proud of,” he told Access. “It’s just nice. It’s so nice, and I’m so happy to be standing here.”
Liz pointed out that Jon seemed to find the moment surreal, and he agreed. Despite his and the show’s numerous accolades, the actor said he’s still a bit star-struck after all this time.
“Being surrounded by the caliber of talent that I have been in my category for so long, not to mention the rest of the categories and television in general, [it] has been so, really, humbling,” he said. “I am in disbelief.”
— Erin Biglow
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