Mad Men is a drama television series.
Jonathan Daniel Hamm ( born March 10 , 1971 ) is an American actor , director , and television producer best known for playing advertising executive Don Draper for the AMC television drama series , Mad Men ( 2007 -- 2015 ) . Mad Men is an American period drama television series created by Matthew Weiner and produced by Lionsgate Television . Season one begins in March 1960 and moves through November 1970 by the conclusion of season seven . The first season of the American television drama series Mad Men premiered on July 19 , 2007 and concluded on October 18 , 2007 .