Donald Francis "
Don"
Draper is a fictional character and the protagonist of
AMC's
television series Mad Men. He is portrayed by 2008
Golden Globe winner
Jon Hamm. Until the third season finale, Draper was Creative Director of
Manhattan advertising firm Sterling Cooper. He became a founding partner at a new firm, Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce, after he and his superiors abandoned their old agency in advance of an unwanted acquisition.
Draper's character is partially based on
Draper Daniels, the creative head of the
Leo Burnett advertising agency in
Chicago in the 1950s who created the
Marlboro Man campaign.
In 2009, the fictional Draper was named the most influential man in the world by
Ask Men ahead of such real-life figures as
Michael Phelps and
Barack Obama.
Character biography
Most of the characters in the series know little, if anything, of Draper’s history and true identity; Harry Crane remarks in the third episode of the series, "Draper? Who knows anything about that guy? No one’s ever lifted that rock. He could be
Batman for all we know." Clues are given through flashbacks, confessions, and clandestine visits to figures from his past.
The name "Don Draper" is an alias; his given name is <!-- PLEASE DO NOT CHANGE THIS...
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