(NewsNation) — Golden Globe and Emmy Award winner Jon Hamm is known for playing Don Draper, America's most iconic executive, on Mad Men. He is currently narrating the audio version of the best-selling business book, When Business is Love: The Spirit of Hästens at Work, at Play and Everywhere in Your Life by Jan Rhyde.
Hamm spoke on NewsNation's “Morning in America” about his new book, his thoughts on business, the co-star he'd like to have next to him on a long flight, the perfect burger and what he's watching instead of the NCAA Tournament. recently.
The following is a conversation between Hamm and “Morning in America” anchor Marky Martin, edited for clarity. Another clip of the interview can be found below.
“When business becomes love”
Marky Martin: We know you as Don Draper. I Love You, who currently plays Paul Marks on Season 3 of “The Morning Show.” You yourself actually anchor the morning show, Trippie. These are characters who are very striving for success. And this business book that you're narrating, were you always business-oriented even before Hollywood?
Jon Hamm: I would almost certainly say no. That's why this project was so interesting to me because I am somewhat involved in business practice.
MM: Tell us more about the book you talk about here and why you took on this project in the first place.
JH: Well, I don't remember too much about its origins, but I just remember thinking the idea was interesting to me. The idea here is basically to lead with love, lead with a positive attitude, and run your business in a way that you want to be treated as a person, as a colleague, as a boss, as an employee. . And as I understand more and more what Jan is really talking about, and learn the history of Hästens, I realize that Hästens is a company with over 100 years of history, which started manufacturing saddles and beds in Sweden in the 19th century. and continues to this day. We've continued that tradition throughout and now manufacture basically the best beds in the world. You think this. “Well, that's a really great message. Do one thing, do it the best you can, and treat your employees, your customers, your employees the same way you want to be treated.” , I thought this was kind of a great message to get involved in an endeavor like this.
MM: Certainly we could use more of it and kindness goes a long way. Please tell us more about Jean. He is an author and CEO of a company that sells luxury beds that cost over $1 million. Jon Hamm, have you ever slept there? And is it really that much better than Tempur-Pedic?
JH: Yes, that's the simple answer. Yes, I slept there. And yes, they are phenomenal. Obviously, prices at certain levels are, in some ways, ridiculously inflated. He doesn't start at $1 million by any stretch of the imagination. But they are a kind of luxury item. And the idea that they become part of your life. Basically we spend one-third of our lives in bed, and it's an important part of our day. When you think about it, it becomes just as important as your diet and your mental health. And as Jean started looking at ways to create a better environment for that, this led him to think about mental health. And it's just a wonderful, wonderful kind of environment that they've created, starting with the beautiful beds.
MM: Going back to your early days, even when someone showed you love and kindness within the industry, do you think it made a huge difference to your situation or how you felt yourself being different on set or in the business? Do you have a story about a time when you decided how to treat someone?
JH: I absolutely agree. When we look back on our careers, don't we think of examples of the opposite? A not-so-kind person who leads with a stick rather than a carrot. And you think: “Well, maybe there's a better way. And even if I had the chance, I might not do it this way.” Jan provides a great example of this. It's not just a business book, it's a book about how to live your life. There's a better way and it works. People think, “Oh, you have to be this shrewd, cruel taskmaster to really get things done.” That's the American way, and we have to kind of macholy get through this, and there's another way, and it's actually much better, and it's more sustainable over time. That's what it feels like. I have certainly benefited from that. I have had great teachers in my life and have been blessed with examples of great people not only in the entertainment industry, but also in education and childcare, where I previously worked. And that's a great feeling.
ham's wedding
MM: Speaking of love, you got married last year! congratulations! I found out it was a filming location. How did this happen?
JH: Yes, it was! It was a beautiful wedding. We were very lucky with the weather. It was in beautiful Big Sur. We just celebrated our 9 month anniversary a few weeks ago. So this is something really cool and a new chapter and fits perfectly with this project.
going ham with ham
MM: Well, congratulations! What a wonderful couple! I'd like our viewers to know a little more about you, so I thought you could play a game with me. So we were thinking of a fast-break game called Going Ham with Jon Hamm. We're a morning show, so what's the first thing you do when you wake up in the morning?
JH: Brush your teeth.
MM: Now, the competitive game of your choice. What makes you mad?
JH: I like playing tennis. I like playing singles and doubles. I started playing tennis in my 30s and I love it. That's great training. It's very exciting. I haven't tried pickleball yet, but I've heard it's pretty good too.
MM: Well, you and I have a tennis match. Well, you love to travel. What are the three things you should always have on hand? What's in your suitcase?
JH: Yeah, I always bring a book with me. Whatever I was reading at the time. It's not just the new audiobook's fault. I like reading. I always bring my Adidas slides. This isn't a sales pitch for Adidas to send me slides. I like to say it's the most comfortable thing in the world. And I always bring cash.
MM: Well, it helps you get from point A to point B. If you were on a long flight and had to be sandwiched between two former classmates from a previous project, who would you sit in between?
JH: John Slattery and Jennifer Aniston. It will be a fun row.
MM: If you could make your own hamburger, what would you put on it?
JH: I'm a simple guy. As you know, there is a restaurant in California called In N Out Burger. Basically, you serve a burger, cheese, tomato, lettuce, a little mustard, ketchup, and a dill pickle, and that's it. Alright, let's go.
MM: What headlines have you been paying attention to lately? What stories are you following?
JH: Oh my god, too many. One, I think we're all concerned about the current political climate. I think that's what we're thinking about internationally and in this country. Most recently, I've been following the terrible tragedy of a bridge collapse in Baltimore. I reframed how great the people were who spread the information and stopped people from driving onto that bridge. Unfortunately, we lost six of his workers on the bridge. But how many cars were crossing that bridge just before the accident happened? And the port pilot said, “This isn't going to work. We don't know what's going to happen, so someone should direct the traffic on that bridge.'' I needed a way to say, “Please stop.'' It's scary when something like that happens. Because it brings back memories of many of the tragedies we have all experienced. So my heart goes out to the people of Baltimore and I hope they can clean up their city and rebuild it better.
MM: No one knows how many lives Mayday saved. To end on a high note, I know you're a big sports fan. Did you watch the Iowa vs. LSU game last night? Who was selected for the final four?
JH: Here's what's interesting. I'm an avid hockey fan, so I didn't watch the game. I watched the St. Louis Blues defeat the Edmonton Oilers in overtime. I literally saw it on my phone – well, it wasn't dinner time. I wasn't that rude! But the Blues are still fighting for the last playoff spot, so I transferred the energy of the Final Four to the final energy of getting the Blues over the hump and into the playoffs. That's all I care about.
