In a startling revelation, acclaimed British actor Jared Harris has detailed the significant physical toll his role in the hit period drama Mad Men took on his health, directly attributing it to the on-set consumption of cigarettes and alcohol.
Harris, who portrayed the tragic financial officer Lane Pryce, disclosed that the requirement to chain-smoke real tobacco cigarettes and drink substantial amounts of Scotch whisky during filming led to a serious health scare. The actor found himself adopting these habits even when the cameras weren't rolling, a method-acting technique that had dire consequences.
'My doctor told me I had to stop,' Harris stated bluntly. The physical effects became impossible to ignore, serving as a stark warning about the very vices the show so glamorously depicted. His commitment to authenticity for the 1960s-era show forced a real-life reckoning with the habits of his character.
The role, which earned him an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor, is a fan favourite. Yet, the personal cost was high. Harris's experience highlights the often-unseen physical demands placed on actors who immerse themselves in roles involving historically accurate but harmful substances.
Despite the challenges, Harris looks back on his time in the Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce office with affection. He remains a beloved figure from the iconic series and has since gone on to star in other major productions like The Crown and Foundation.
His story serves as a fascinating, and somewhat cautionary, behind-the-scenes glimpse into the lengths actors go to for their art and the very real impact a character can have on their life.
