Mad Men brought together one of the very best ensemble casts of all time, and it is through that this series ended up being so successful and so popular. Without the amazing actors bringing these characters to life, the show would have been nowhere near as compelling or as interesting.
Because the show is so dialogue-heavy and very much reliant on the actors to make it work, it shows the pure talent that the cast had that it went so well. While many of them really suited the roles that they picked up on the show, they have all thrived in other projects as well, both in television and the movie world.
Kiernan Shipka: Carriers - 6.0 (2009)
Kiernan Shipka literally grew up as an actress throughout Mad Men and during that time she quickly became a terrific actress. There's a reason Sally Draper got an increasing role within the show as things developed, and it's all down to her hard work and progress.
The movie Carriers is one that feels very fitting right now, as it takes place in a world ruined by a lethal virus. It has had a global impact, and therefore the movie follows a group who need to find a plague-free area for safety. However, as happens to be the case with many apocalypse style stories (looking at you, The Walking Dead) it isn't the infected that are the big issue, but the other humans.
Elisabeth Moss: The Invisible Man - 7.1 (2020)
Elisabeth Moss is a true highlight of Mad Men with her work as Peggy Olson being amongst the very best that happens throughout the show. Her journey throughout the series is the core focus and she rises up as Don Draper falls down, which is why she is arguably the true lead character of the show.
However, there's no denying that Elisabeth Moss was the lead role when it comes to The Invisible Man. This horror saw Moss playing, Cecilia, who is stalked by her former boyfriend who manages to become invisible. However, because nobody believes her story, she begins to fall into madness as Cecilia is forced to deal with the situation alone.
Vincent Kartheiser: Rango - 7.2 (2011)
The character of Pete Campbell was certainly a controversial one throughout Mad Men. He did some of the worst things during the show, yet at times he was also sweet, charming, and hardworking. Vincent Kartheiser played the role incredibly and made him someone people would love to hate, and then eventually just love.
Aside from Mad Men, Vincent has been involved in a wide variety of roles, including lending his voice to the popular movie, Rango. The film which focuses on a chamelon voiced by Johnny Depp was one of few non-Disney/Pixar movies to win the Best Animation at the Academy Awards.
Robert Morse: How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying - 7.2 (1967)
Robert Morse plays Bert Cooper perfectly in Mad Men. He makes the character charming and easy to connect with, all while managing to take no prisoners as the ultimate boss at the agency. He's deeply respected and slightly crazy, which creates for a great character.
In terms of his movie career, Robert Morse's best role came in the film, How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying. This comedic musical that is based on the stage show, where Robert taking on the lead role of Ponty, who is trying to climb the business world and make a success out of his life.
Jon Hamm: Baby Driver - 7.6 (2017)
Baby Driver is an incredibly intense movie that really allows the music to drive it forwards. The focus is all on the getaway driver, Miles and his ability behind the wheel, he suffers from tinnitus and uses music to help him, which plays an impact in the film.
Jon Hamm got to really showcase a different side of himself here, being the true bad guy, Jason Von Horn. Of course, there were plenty of elements from Mad Men where Hamm was considered the bad guy due to the grey area that Don Draper tended to exist within.
January Jones: X-Men: First Class - 7.7. (2011)
January Jones' Mad Men character, Betty Draper may never have had an edge over Don Draper, but when it comes to IMDb rated movies, January does have the beating of her co-star and on-screen husband, Jon Hamm. That comes from her work in the superhero world with X-Men: First Class.
This movie saw a new spin on the X-Men world by taking things back to the past on how the famous characters came to be. Jones played the villain, Emma Frost, who had telepathy, in this movie who worked alongside Magneto.
Alison Brie: The LEGO Movie - 7.7 (2014)
Alison Brie is a very talented actress and she really brought a lot to the Mad Men story whenever she appeared. Playing Trudy Campbell, Alison's character was certainly put through series emotional highs and lows, but that led to her being a very compelling character.
In The LEGO Movie, Alison's character doesn't quite have as many layers as Trudy. Playing Princess Uni-Kitty, who is a Master Builder from Cloud Cuckoo-Land, she's a very over the top and fun character, which certainly adds a lot what is a very funny film for all ages.
Jared Harris: The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button - 7.8 (2008)
Jared Harris' character of Lane Pryce might not be around right from the start of Mad Men, however, there is no denying that he makes his impact felt when he does join. Lane brings some of Mad Men's funniest and most emotional moments throughout the series, all of which help to make him an excellent character.
However, while that role was great, for Harris his best movie role comes from the 2008 hit, The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button, where he plays Captain Mike Clark. He meets Benjamin Button during World War II where he bravely sacrifices his life to attack a German U-boat. He only plays a part of the story, but Mike Clark certainly plays a factor in the overall story for this epic tale.
Christina Hendricks: Toy Story 4 - 7.8 (2019)
Christina Hendricks portrayed the powerful Joan Holloway in Mad Men who was one of the most important and intriguing characters on the show. She was one of very few women to end up in a position of power within the advertising world, and that provided a great story throughout the show.
Her character in Toy Story 4 was very similar to Joan in many ways. Gabby Gabby was rude, controlling, and demanding at times. But once she was able to explain herself and showcase her personality, it became clear she was soft, sensitive, and kind-hearted, which made her a great Toy Story character.
John Slattery: Avengers Endgame - 8.4 (2019)
John Slattery is a tremendous actor who has been involved in some fantastic movies, but the pick of the bunch according to IMDb is the highest-grossing film ever, Avengers Endgame. Slattery has been involved in the MCU in several films, playing Howard Stark and his supporting role in this blockbuster hit was very well done.
Within Mad Men, he thrives playing Roger Sterling. He's a fun character in the show who doesn't ever appear to take things too seriously unless it involves drinking. However, Roger does have a huge role to play in the series overall, being one of the strongest characters in the series.