The theatre group, which dates to 1844 and claims to be the world's third-oldest still operating, said Hamm will receive his Pudding Pot award at a celebratory roast. Afterward, he will attend a performance of Hasty Pudding Theatricals' 176th production, 101 Damnations.
"I can't believe there are so many people here," Hamm said after accepting his Pudding Pot award on Friday.
"Did you all seriously think I was dead? This is such a wonderful honour."
Hasty Pudding gives the awards to people who have made lasting contributions to entertainment. (AP PHOTO)
Before accepting the Pudding Pot, Hamm endured a roasting at the hands of two members of the Hasty Pudding Theatricals. They mocked his height, poked fun at the fact he had not won an Academy Award and suggested many previous winners were better looking.
To make their point, they even had him take part in a contest with someone wearing a Paul Rudd mask, the 2018 winner of the award. Hamm also participated in a trivia contest with an piece of deli meat on a table — who the presenters suggested had won an Academy Award for production design.
The best part, though, was making Hamm channel his Mad Men character, advertising executive Don Draper, and pitch several items. Among them was selling car insurance to a baby driver and a pen to a woman who had just landed her dream job and was promptly fired. Then, there was selling a lifetime voucher for bath time with Harry Potter.
"Hi, do you love Daniel Radcliffe? How about Harry Potter?" Draper asked an excited woman on stage. "I would say let's sit in a tub together but that sounds like, A, terrifying, and B, marginally illegal."
Afterwards at a press conference, Hamm credited Saturday Night Live creator Lorne Michaels with bringing out his funny side and said Don Draper was the most challenging and fun character that he has ever played.
Hasty Pudding Theatricals gives the awards to people who have made lasting and impressive contributions to the world of entertainment.
Hamm is best known for starring in Mad Men, but he has had a storied acting career. Among his achievements, he received Emmy, Golden Globe, and Screen Actors Guild Award nominations for his portrayal of Sheriff Roy Tillman in the series Fargo, he has starred in several movies, including Bad Times At The El Royale, and he has hosted Saturday Night Live three times.
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