Jon Hamm: Reports Of Split From Gal Pal Make Actor A Mad Man — Still An Item With Jennifer Westfeldt

Jon Hamm is a very mad man today, as he finds himself denying rumors that he split from his gal pal of 18 years, actress and screenwriter Jennifer Westfeldt, after supermarket tabloid In Touch magazine reported that Westfeldt dumped the Don Draper actor before he entered a 30-day alcohol rehab program.

Hamm, whose character on the critically acclaimed — if little-watched — AMC drama Mad Men is pictured downing a drink in what often seems like every scene, recently revealed that he was also coping with a drinking problem and had spent a month in a New Canaan, Connecticut, substance abuse treatment facility.

The split rumors were fueled in part by Westfeldt’s statements in a recent interview about the stresses of dealing with the “dark” character that Hamm has played for seven seasons on Mad Men, which completed filming its final seven episodes last year.

Don Draper’s complicated personal issues “weighed heavily” on Hamm, the Kissing Jessica Stein star acknowledged.

“The end was of course bittersweet and complicated for Jonny,” Westfeldt told GQ Magazine. “But I know that when he wrapped the show in L.A., in the wee hours of July 3 last year, and then immediately got on a plane to New York to meet me and our dog, Cora, for dinner with a few close friends and to watch the fireworks, he felt a predominant sense of relief. He remarked on the cosmic coincidence of the date: Independence Day. Finally.”

But when at recent events promoting the debut of the Part Two of the final Mad Men season, Hamm was seen showing up alone, further rumors of a split from Westfeldt kicked into high gear.

When the In Touch story hit supermarket checkout counter magazine racks, Hamm — through his personal PR flak — felt compelled to respond.

“The story that appeared in this week’s edition of In Touch magazine is not true,” said a statement attributed to the publicity rep. “The only gentleman Jennifer visited regularly in Connecticut was Jon, while he was in rehab. They continue to ask for the public’s understanding and sensitivity during this challenging time.”

According to a report on the E! News site, Hamm, in fact, has appeared to be “doing well” and looks happier than he has in many years, his friends say.

“Life throws a lot at you sometimes, and you have to deal with it as much as you can,” Hamm said in an interview shortly after his rehab stint became public knowledge.

Jon Hamm, 44, and Jennifer Westfeldt, 45, have been an item since 1997 — remarkable durability for a showbiz couple.

[Image: Cindy Ord/Getty Images]