Kathy Griffin Opens Up About Her Dislike for Jon Hamm Following Alleged Party Insult
American comedian Kathy Griffin has publicly detailed the reasons behind her apparent dislike for actor Jon Hamm, sharing a story from a Hollywood dinner party that allegedly occurred over fifteen years ago. The 65-year-old standup comic discussed the incident during a recent appearance on Owen Thiele's In Your Dreams podcast, where she recounted what she describes as a rude encounter with the 54-year-old Mad Men star.
Alleged Confrontation at a Star-Studded Gathering
Griffin recalled the moment she was chatting with legendary actor Jack Nicholson at a dinner party hosted by the late, influential talent agent Sue Mengers. According to Griffin, Nicholson was engagingly discussing his work on the film The Departed, a rare topic for the notoriously private star. "He's talking about playing a Whitey Bulger type character, and Whitey Bulger had just been found and arrested after decades of being on the run," Griffin explained, noting her excitement at the conversation.
However, the exchange was reportedly interrupted by Jon Hamm, whom Griffin claims was intoxicated. "Hammy was wasted, so he’s next to me in my ear and he’s going, 'You’re so old. What’s it like to be so old? You know your Emmys are fake Emmys?'" she alleged on the podcast. Griffin says she retorted sharply, telling Hamm, "No, Hammy, and you don’t even have an Emmy," before turning her attention back to Nicholson, who apparently missed the entire altercation.
A Grudge Held for Years
The comedian stated she "never forgave Hammy for that," holding onto the memory of the alleged insult. The incident must have taken place prior to 2011, as host Sue Mengers passed away that year. Ironically, despite Griffin's jab about Hamm lacking an Emmy at the time, the actor went on to win his first Primetime Emmy Award in 2015 for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for his role in Mad Men, after numerous previous nominations.
Griffin's revelation emerged when podcast host Owen Thiele asked who was on her "hit list" for the coming year. After naming former President Donald Trump as her primary target, she shifted to Hamm. "I'll pick weird people like Jon Hamm," she began, adding, "Nobody hates Jon Hamm except me."
Additional Reasons for Disdain
The comedian provided further context for her feelings, revealing a separate, more personal grievance. She mentioned that she "used to date a guy that was in his fantasy football league, and I thought Hammy was rude to my boyfriend." Griffin noted, "I just thought, ooh, that shows bad character."
Despite her criticisms, Griffin conceded some professional admiration for the actor. She credited Hamm as "an amazing actor" and even admitted, "I hate to admit it – he's even funny." Host Thiele interjected to add, "And hot," to which Griffin agreed: "And hot. Of course he's hot."
The story adds a new layer to Hollywood's tapestry of behind-the-scenes tensions, highlighting how seemingly minor social slights can linger for years in the entertainment industry. Representatives for both Jon Hamm and Kathy Griffin have been contacted by The Daily Mail for comment regarding the allegations.
