Why Jon Hamm is channeling Liam Neeson for his return to hosting ‘SNL’ after 15 years
Jon Hamm returns to host Saturday Night Live this weekend after a 15-year break — so why is he focused on the Taken movies?
Hosting SNL takes "a specific set of skills, as Liam Neeson might say," Hamm told Gold Derby at the premiere of his new Apple TV+ series Your Friends and Neighbors. "But it's really fun, and it's unlike anything else in the business."
Hamm will star on the April 12 episode of NBC's sketch-comedy series, alongside musical guest Lizzo. "It's been 15 years since I hosted," Hamm said. "I think I forgot if I'm supposed to be nervous, and when. I'm looking forward to doing it again." Watch the video:
Jon Hamm is “very much looking forward” to hosting #SNL this weekend, where the musical guest is Lizzo. It’s been 15 years since he hosted! pic.twitter.com/vUPIBOqLpc
— Marcus James Dixon (@marcusdixon) April 10, 2025
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
While at the height of Mad Men, where Hamm portrayed chain-smoking ad executive Don Draper, he hosted Saturday Night Live in October 2008, January 2010, and October 2010. In the years since, the actor had several uncredited cameos on the late-night program, including during this February's celebrity-heavy 50th anniversary special, where he appeared opposite Meryl Streep.
Hamm's gig this weekend will put him in the SNL four-timers club. One more and he'll claim the coveted five-timers club embroidered jacket and enjoy access to the private lounge where folks like Steve Martin, Tom Hanks, and Tina Fey often hang out.
To date, Hamm has received a 18 Emmy nominations across five different television shows, none of which is Saturday Night Live. He won for Mad Men in 2015, and also contended for 30 Rock (2009, 2010, 2012), Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (2015), Fargo (2024), and The Morning Show (2024).
His latest series is Your Friends and Neighbors, from showrunner Jonathan Tropper. Hamm stars as Andrew "Coop" Cooper, a down-on-his-luck New York hedge fund manager who loses his wife and his job in quick succession. As a way to gain money — and a little excitement in his life — Coop starts burglarizing his rich friends and neighbors, believing none of them will ever realize what's missing from their lavish homes.
"Jonathan put together a really interesting story that has several levels to it," Hamm told Gold Derby about the new project. "It's not just a funny, sexy whodunnit with pretty people and rich people doing bad things, but it also is a little bit of commentary on where we are right now in this late-stage capitalist world in ridiculously conspicuous consumption."
Your Friends and Neighbors also stars Donovan Colan, Isabel Gravitt, Aimee Carrero, Mark Tallman, Olivia Munn, Lena Hall, Hoon Lee, and Amanda Peet. The drama series premieres April 11 on Apple TV+.
SIGN UP for Gold Derby’s free newsletter with latest predictions