Kiss puts ‘Mad Men’ actor in hot seat

  • By Nicole Evatt Associated Press
  • Friday, June 14, 2013 2:59pm
  • LifeGo-See-Do

No one is more surprised than Kevin Rahm that his “Mad Men” character, Ted Chaough, has become a major player in the AMC drama’s sixth season.

“Matt (Weiner, the show’s creator) had told me that there were big things coming for the character, but I didn’t see it.”

Rahm’s character appeared in a handful episodes in past seasons as the boss of a competing advertising firm. But the recent merger of his and Don Draper’s companies — along with a shocking kiss with Peggy Olson (Elisabeth Moss) — has thrust Ted to the forefront of the 1960s ad world drama.

In a recent interview, the one-time “Desperate Housewives” actor compared leading man Jon Hamm to Hollywood megastar George Clooney and discussed why he’s staying tight-lipped about that Ted/Peggy lip lock.

Q: Initially you wanted to be a lawyer?

A: My intent was to go to law school. … And then what I realized quickly is what I wanted was to be on “L.A. Law.” And ironically now I get to work with Mr. (Harry) Hamlin.

Q: You also share the screen with Jon Hamm. What’s that like?

A: The first scene two years ago when we met in the Benihana on the Honda episode, it was daunting. I mean Jon’s the nicest guy, a genuinely good guy and so he makes it easier. … He’s just a good guy. I call it the “Clooney effect,” when you don’t get famous till you’re 30 or in your mid-30s.

Q: What do fans usually want to talk about?

A: They all want to know what is going to happen (with Peggy and Ted), if something is going to happen and if it does … when.

Q: So what exactly was the deal with the Ted-Peggy kiss?

A: You can argue that it’s out of gratitude. You could argue that he’s completely in love with her and he’s fighting it.

Q: It is impossible to get spoilers from “Mad Men” actors. Why is that?

A: For threat of life and limb! It’s been pounded into us. Matt (Weiner) gives a speech before every table read and he says, “Welcome. We’re really happy to have you here. You’re part of the family now and if you say anything we will destroy you.”

So yeah, he explains the commercial viability of the show is that no one knows. And that’s rare these days. … That’s what creates the buzz about Bob Benson and Ted and Peggy and Don. What’s going to happen to Don?

Q: I understand you recently celebrated your one year anniversary with your wife, Amy Lonkar, a cardiothoracic surgeon. How has married life been?

A: It’s the best decision I ever made. She grounds me in a great way. … She puts my job in perspective real quick. You know any time people are talking about Emmys you start to think I’m pretty cool, and then I talk to her about her day and I go “Yeah, we (actors) play. We play.”

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Life

Sarah Jean Muncey-Gordon puts on some BITCHSTIX lip oil at Bandbox Beauty Supply on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024, in Langley, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Bandbox Beauty was made for Whidbey Island locals, by an island local

Founder Sarah Muncey-Gordon said Langley is in a renaissance, and she’s proud to be a part of it.

A stroll on Rome's ancient Appian Way is a kind of time travel. (Cameron Hewitt)
Rick Steves on the Appian Way, Rome’s ancient superhighway

Twenty-nine highways fanned out from Rome, but this one was the first and remains the most legendary.

Byrds co-founder Roger McGuinn, seen here in 2013, will perform April 20 in Edmonds. (Associated Press)
Music, theater and more: What’s happening in Snohomish County

R0ck ‘n’ Roll Hall of Famer Roger McGuinn, frontman of The Byrds, plans a gig in Edmonds in April.

Mother giving in to the manipulation her daughter fake crying for candy
Can children be bribed into good behavior?

Only in the short term. What we want to do is promote good habits over the course of the child’s life.

Speech Bubble Puzzle and Discussion
When conflict flares, keep calm and stand your ground

Most adults don’t like dissension. They avoid it, try to get around it, under it, or over it.

The colorful Nyhavn neighborhood is the place to moor on a sunny day in Copenhagen. (Cameron Hewitt)
Rick Steves: Embrace hygge and save cash in Copenhagen

Where else would Hans Christian Andersen, a mermaid statue and lovingly decorated open-face sandwiches be the icons of a major capital?

Last Call is a festured artist at the 2024 DeMiero Jazz Festival: in Edmonds. (Photo provided by DeMiero Jazz Festival)
Music, theater and more: What’s happening in Snohomish County

Jazz ensemble Last Call is one of the featured artists at the DeMiero Jazz Festival on March 7-9 in Edmonds.

Kim Helleren
Local children’s author to read at Edmonds Bookshop

Kim Helleren will read from one of her books for kids at the next monthly Story Time at Edmonds Bookshop on March 29.

Chris Elliott
Lyft surprises traveler with a $150 cleaning charge

Jared Hakimi finds a $150 charge on his credit card after a Lyft ride. Is that allowed? And will the charge stick?

Inside Elle Marie Hair Studio in Smokey Point. (Provided by Acacia Delzer)
The best hair salon in Snohomish County

You voted, we tallied. Here are the results.

The 2024 Kia EV9 electric SUV has room for up to six or seven passengers, depending on seat configuration. (Photo provided by Kia)
Kia’s all-new EV9 electric SUV occupies rarified air

Roomy three-row electric SUVs priced below 60 grand are scarce.

2023 Toyota RAV4 Prime XSE Premium AWD (Photo provided by Toyota)
2023 Toyota RAV4 Prime XSE Premium AWD

The compact SUV electric vehicle offers customers the ultimate flexibility for getting around town in zero emission EV mode or road-tripping in hybrid mode with a range of 440 miles and 42 mile per gallon fuel economy.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.