Jon Hamm is embracing his unlikely status as a viral sensation. The actor, best known for his role as Don Draper in Mad Men, is finding humor in the unexpected resurgence of a dance scene from the Apple TV+ series Your Friends &. Neighbors. The clip, featuring Hamm dancing to DJ Kato’s “Turn The Lights Off,” exploded on TikTok in late 2025, sparking countless recreations and a renewed appreciation for the 2025 track. Hamm recently discussed the meme during the Los Angeles premiere of his recent Pixar film, Hoppers, revealing his bemused reaction to the internet’s fascination.
“It wasn’t like I got paid for it. It’s lovely, obviously. It’s nice,” Hamm, 54, told People. “It’s certainly nice to be known for something pleasant rather than something negative. I discover it mystifying and adorable at the same time, but it’s fun.” The scene itself originates from the eighth episode of the first season of Your Friends & Neighbors, where Hamm portrays Andrew “Coop” Cooper, a former hedge fund manager navigating a life of financial crime after being fired from his job.
The Scene That Launched a Meme
The viral clip shows Cooper, eyes closed, completely lost in the music of “Turn The Lights Off” at a club. The song, originally released in 2011, experienced a significant boost in popularity as the meme took hold. Footage of the scene quickly spread across social media platforms, particularly TikTok, inspiring users to recreate Hamm’s carefree dance moves. The trend quickly became a cultural moment, demonstrating the power of social media to resurrect and reimagine older content.
The song itself has seen a resurgence in streams and downloads, according to reports. DJ Kato’s “Turn The Lights Off” is available on multiple streaming platforms, including Spotify and Apple Music. A search on YouTube reveals numerous videos compiling recreations of the dance, further solidifying its place in internet culture.
Beyond the Meme: Upcoming Projects
Whereas the meme has brought a new wave of attention to his work, Hamm remains focused on a diverse range of projects. He stars in Season 2 of Your Friends & Neighbors, which is set to premiere on April 3. He’s also lending his voice to the animated film Hoppers, set for release in theaters on March 6. Hamm described his involvement with Pixar as a long-held ambition, stating, “I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t a goal of mine ever since I was starting this career a million years ago, to be part of this.” He added that Pixar’s films have “earned their place in the pantheon, not just of animation, but of storytelling,” citing Toy Story and WALL-E as examples of the studio’s commitment to quality.
Reuniting with a Former Colleague
Hamm is also set to reunite with his Mad Men co-star, John Slattery, in the upcoming film Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass. The film, which features both actors playing themselves, centers around a bride seeking revenge on her fiancé. Slattery revealed to E! News that Hamm personally convinced him to seize on the role, calling him with the script and immediately securing his commitment. The pair previously collaborated on the 2022 comedy Confess, Fletch and the 2023 true-crime comedy Maggie Moore(s), continuing a professional relationship that began with their iconic roles on Mad Men.
Slattery explained that Hamm called him while he was in Budapest, jet-lagged and in the middle of the night, to pitch the project. “I said, ‘Send it.’ I was in Budapest, it was the middle of the night, I was jetlagged. He sent me the script and I read it at one in the morning, then called him back immediately and said, ‘I’m in.’ ”
Hamm’s ability to embrace the unexpected virality of the dance scene speaks to his solid-natured approach to fame and his willingness to connect with audiences in new and unconventional ways. As he continues to take on diverse roles in both live-action and animated projects, it’s clear that Jon Hamm’s career is far from slowing down.
Fans can expect Season 2 of Your Friends & Neighbors to premiere on April 3 and Hoppers to hit theaters on March 6. Hamm and Slattery’s latest collaboration, Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass, is currently in post-production with a release date yet to be announced.
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