Jon Hamm Reveals He’s 'Mystified' by Viral Dance Meme as Hoppers and Your Friends & Neighbors Return
At the Los Angeles premiere of Hoppers on Feb. 23, jon hamm spoke about a sudden surge of viral fame after a short club scene from his drama, Your Friends & Neighbors, became a TikTok meme. The moment — the actor closing his eyes and dancing to DJ Kato’s "Turn The Lights Off" — has taken on a life of its own online, and Hamm described the reaction as mystifying, adorable and fun.
Jon Hamm reacts to the viral TikTok meme
Hamm, who is 54, has expressed a positive take on the attention. He framed the meme as a pleasant development, noting that it is nicer to be known for something upbeat rather than negative. The clip that sparked the trend comes from season 1, episode 8 of the drama in which his character, a disgraced hedge fund manager, is briefly lost in the music on a nightclub dance floor. Late in 2025 the short scene began circulating widely on TikTok, inspiring copycat videos in which users closed their eyes and swayed in imitation.
How the meme started, its impact, and what’s next
The viral moment boosted interest in both the series and the track that underscores the scene; the original song saw renewed popularity after the clip spread online. For Hamm the meme has been an unexpected but welcome cultural turn — a light, human beat from a show that otherwise explores darker themes. He has embraced the attention as a harmless and charming reinterpretation of a small on-screen choice.
Beyond the meme, Hamm’s schedule includes multiple projects referenced on the red carpet. The animated film Hoppers opened with its premiere on Feb. 23 and is set to arrive in theaters on March 6. Season 2 of Your Friends & Neighbors is scheduled to premiere on April 3. Hamm has spoken about the honor of joining the animation canon and referenced enduring titles such as Toy Story and WALL-E when reflecting on the care that goes into the project he joined.
The actor is also set to reunite with a former costar in an upcoming film in which both play themselves. That project centers on a bride-to-be who seeks revenge after a celebrity "hall pass" incident; Hamm’s involvement helped bring his costar on board. Additional roles and collaborations are part of his immediate slate, underscoring a busy period that now includes a newfound meme status.
What the meme means for Hamm’s public image
For an established actor, becoming a viral meme later in a career can be a curious phenomenon. Hamm has acknowledged the strangeness of becoming "meme-worthy at the ripe old age of 54, " while also welcoming the levity it offers. The online trend has been characterized by viewers as earnest and unintentionally funny, qualities that have amplified its appeal and led to numerous recreations and edits.
Moving forward, the meme’s life will likely follow typical viral patterns: short-term spikes, follow-on recreations, and an occasional cultural afterlife through edits and references. For Hamm, the immediate priorities are clear: the theatrical rollout of Hoppers and the arrival of a new season for his drama. The meme, he suggests, is a pleasant footnote — an odd, affectionate cultural moment that has highlighted a brief, human beat in a larger body of work.
Recent updates indicate the situation is settled as a positive pop-culture blip rather than a controversy; details may continue to evolve as the projects roll out and the meme circulates further online.
