‘Mad Men’ Star Jon Hamm Was Charged With Assault For Horrific Fraternity Hazing Incident

It has been revealed in court documents that Mad Men star Jon Hamm was arrested and charged with assault during his time at the University of Texas in Austin for a horrific fraternity hazing incident. The incident involved paddling a pledge, setting his pants on fire and dragging him by his genitals with a claw hammer. However, just prior to his rise to stardom, Hamm was able to get the charges dismissed. Despite the dismissal for Hamm, the heinous hazing incident caused the Sigma Nu fraternity to be closed on the campus.

The Daily Mail reports that the Mad Men star was arrested for charges of assault after it was discovered he took part in a horrendous hazing ritual that went terribly wrong. A Sigma Nu pledge was paddled over 30 times, his pants were set on fire and he was dragged by his genitals with a claw hammer by older members. One of those members was Jon Hamm. The arrest warrant was issued in 1992, but a plea deal was reached which allowed for charges to be dismissed.

Just a year after his arrest for the horrific hazing, Hamm began rising to stardom. Radar Online notes that the incident seems to be confirmed by friends who say the hazing was an “isolated incident” in Jon’s life. They claim he has since tried to better himself.

“The hazing incident was an isolated incident in Jon’s life. Since then, he’s been strong enough to take steps to make himself a better person.”

The hazing incident was discovered on the heels of the Mad Men star exiting a 30-day stint in rehab for alcohol issues. The Mad Men actor says that his role as Don Draper has affected his real life. He notes that one can’t get in the mindset of that character year-after-year and not be affected by it.

“Playing this guy does not come without its own difficulties, it’s not fun to live in this guy’s headspace year after year.”

Hamm notes that he wants to distance himself from characters like Don Draper — a character that is a womanizer, drinks and has a dark past — in the future, as it can be rough on one’s mental state.

“People ask, ‘What’s the difference between you and Don?’ Look, I drink, I get drunk. I’m not immune to that. And (creator) Matt (Weiner) will tell you, the darkness in Don has not abated, it’s gotten worse year after year. It’s relentless. And it can be hard on you as a person. I love coming to work; I love the people I work with. But it’s been rough.”

Does Jon Hamm’s past hazing incident surprise you?

[Image Credit: Getty Images/ Stringer]