Mad Men's Don Draper faced criminal charges over violent 'hazing' episode while studying at college
Jon Hamm linked to 1991 lawsuit after 'taking part in violent fraternity initiation'
Mad Men star Jon Hamm took part in a violent university hazing in 1990 at the University of Texas that led to criminal charges, according to court and school records obtained this week.
The Emmy-nominated actor had not previously been publicly linked to a lawsuit filed by a member of a fraternal social organisation who said he was severely beaten, dragged by a hammer and had his pants lit on fire. In the 1991 lawsuit, the pledge said Hamm participated "till the very end".
Criminal records obtained Thursday show Hamm, now 44, was charged with hazing and received deferred adjudication, which under Texas law means he had to successfully complete probation but was never convicted. A separate charge of assault was dismissed.
Representatives for Hamm and Mad Men creator Matthew Weiner did not respond to requests for comment.
None of the records were sealed, but Hamm was not famous when the incident happened and his connection to the case didn't come to light until Star magazine reported on it earlier this week. The case resurfaced just as the critically acclaimed Mad Men begins airing its final season on AMC.
According to the lawsuit, Hamm became "mad, I mean really mad" after the 20-year-old student joining the fraternity failed to recite things he was supposed to memorise about Hamm and other fraternity members.