Among the actors he beat out: last year's Globe champ Hugh Laurie ("House") and reigning Emmy winner James Spader ("Boston Legal"). The show also won the outstanding drama series prize.

"It was a surprise to say the least," Jon said when we met a few days ago. "Very stiff competition and I'm certainly the new guy. I'm incredibly honored to have been chosen.... We were sitting on the balcony watching the sun go down, we had a TV out there. As those things go, it was pretty nice. It was amazing. Everybody cheered and it felt really collegial and fun - like a good thing had happened to the family. It really felt great."

There's a good chance for more awards on Sunday at the Screen Actors Guild Awards (There will be a star-studded ceremony for that one) with Jon, 36, again nominated for outstanding actor in a drama series and the show's cast up for outstanding ensemble.

On "Men," Jon plays Don Draper, creative director and eventually junior partner of Sterling Cooper Advertising Agency on New York City's Madison Avenue in the 1960s; He is the show's protagonist with a mysterious past.

"When I read the script - and I never say this because I don't want to jinx things - I said to several friends of mine and my girlfriend, 'I really want to be in this. I wonder what movie star they're gonna to give the lead to, I'll never get that. But I want to be a part of this.' And, somehow, six or eight auditions later, I ended up getting it and it's obviously been great."

Before "Mad Men" caused such a sensatiion last year, Jon had been working steadily in recurring roles on a succession of television series including "The Unit," "What About Brian," "The Division" and "Providence" along with the occasional feature film ("Ira & Abby," "We Were Soldiers").

But the show, AMC's first original scripted drama, wowed critics and quickly gained a loyal following.
"I think it's found the perfect home on AMC," he said. "It's not unlike the first season of 'The Sopranos.' The first year of that show, a lot of people didn't know what it was and didn't want to watch a gangster show or whatever. Then they found it and realized how deep it was. I think that's similar to our show. Our fans are very, very loyal and excited about the show and I wish we were just about to make some more for them but unfortunately we're stuck in this strike."

They were due to begin shooting the second season in February or March but at this point, there are no scripts prepared and the strike continues.

"I wish we were working, we;re not. But I understand why.I was fortunate though to work on a couple of films."
One of those movies are the big-budget sci-fi flick "The Day the Earth Stood Still" which stars Keanu Reeves and Jennifer Connelly. The other is the mystery-thriller "The Boy in the Box." Between the series, the awards and the upcoming movies, Jon is on the verge of major stardom.

"It's all still pretty new and I think fortunately, I look a little bit different on the show than I look in real life. I don't walk around around wearing three-piece suits with my hair slicked back so that makes it a little but easier. But it's always nice when people recognize you for your work and they say good things about you."