When "Mad Men" first debuted in 2007, it featured a cast made up mostly of unknown actors.
Before the hit AMC show, many of the cast members had bit roles in TV shows and films, one was even a clown who performed at birthday parties.
But with the success of the Emmy-winning drama series, the actors' careers skyrocketed.
Today, Jon Hamm, January Jones, Christina Hendricks, John Slattery, and others, have all seen major career boosts thanks to "Mad Men."
Before Jon Hamm was suave ad executive Don Draper...
... he was a struggling actor landing minor roles in episodes of "Ally McBeal" and "Gilmore Girls."
Hamm's pre-"Mad Men" acting career has become something of a legend now. He had trouble finding roles due to his "older appearance," and he was eventually dropped by his agency. He also briefly taught an acting class at his old high school in St. Louis (where one of his students was "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt" star Ellie Kemper).
His first credited TV appearance was "Gorgeous Guy at Bar" in an episode of "Ally McBeal."
Today, we know John Slattery as the outspoken, scotch-drinking Roger Sterling.
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