Emmy winner Jon Hamm reflects on iconic set moment with Tom Cruise

Jon Hamm reflected on a standout moment in his career during a live Q&A, calling a scene from Top Gun: Maverick the most unforgettable of his decades-long acting journey.

The 55-year-old Emmy winner spoke with Josh Horowitz at Apple TV’s Your Friends & Neighbors event at 92NY in New York City on March 29.

When asked about his most memorable set experience, Hamm admitted it wasn’t from his acclaimed run on Mad Men, but from a more recent project.

“Walking onto the set of Top Gun: Maverick, there’s a four-story American flag to my left, Tom Cruise walking toward me in Maverick gear with a giant smile, three F-18s in the background, hundreds of naval aviators in the foreground—it was surreal,” Hamm recalled.

“He’s clapping, ready for a hug, and says, ‘I’m so glad you’re here.’ I had this out-of-body moment thinking, ‘I cannot believe this…’”

Hamm, who grew up in St. Louis, Missouri, added that the original Top Gun was more than a movie for him as a teenager.

“It was a religion. I saw it a hundred times with friends, in the days before streaming. To be part of that world and witness it firsthand—it was incredible.”

The actor also discussed his versatility in transitioning between comedy and drama. “It’s nice to have credibility on both sides of the aisle.

You’re not forced to only play one note,” he said, attributing some of his success to shifts in the industry during the early 2000s.

“I kept my options open and said yes to a lot of silly, goofy things.”

Hamm’s career spans critically acclaimed dramas like Mad Men and comedies, including 30 Rock, showcasing his range and adaptability.