John Slattery
With the wry charm of ad man Roger Sterling, he became the sophisticated, silver-haired heart of 'Mad Men,' embodying a fading era's allure and angst.
Born 1962 (age 64)·American actor and director·Birthday: August 13·Baby Boomers
Biography
John Slattery's path to becoming a defining face of prestige television was one of steady, character-driven work. A Boston native, he honed his craft on New York stages and in a string of sharp supporting roles in films and TV throughout the 1990s. Then came 'Mad Men.' As Roger Sterling, the acerbic, martini-swilling senior partner, Slattery delivered a masterclass in layered performance—a man of effortless charm masking profound existential drift. The role earned him multiple Emmy nominations and cemented his image. Beyond acting, he stepped behind the camera to direct episodes of the series and later helm the feature film 'God's Pocket.' Slattery’s career is a testament to the power of a performer who can make world-weariness both compelling and darkly funny.
Baby Boomers
1946–1964
The largest generation in history at the time. Shaped by postwar prosperity, the Vietnam War, the sexual revolution, and Watergate. They questioned every institution their parents built — then ran them.
John was born in 1962, placing them squarely in the Baby Boomers. The events that shaped this generation — postwar prosperity, civil rights, Vietnam, and the counterculture — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When John Was Born
The biggest hits of 1962
#1 Movie
Lawrence of Arabia
Best Picture
Lawrence of Arabia
#1 TV Show
Beverly Hillbillies
John's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1962Born
Cuban Missile Crisis brings the world to the brink
Gas: $0.31/galHome: $12,800Min wage: $1.15/hrPresident: John F. Kennedy"Stranger on the Shore" — Acker BilkBest Picture: Lawrence of Arabia
1967Started school
Summer of Love in San Francisco; first Super Bowl
Gas: $0.33/galHome: $14,250Min wage: $1.40/hrPresident: Lyndon B. Johnson"To Sir, with Love" — LuluBest Picture: In the Heat of the Night
1975Became a teenager
Fall of Saigon ends the Vietnam War
Gas: $0.57/galHome: $27,600Min wage: $2.10/hrPresident: Gerald Ford"Love Will Keep Us Together" — Captain & TennilleBest Picture: One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
1978Could drive
First test-tube baby born
Gas: $0.63/galHome: $35,300Min wage: $2.65/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Shadow Dancing" — Andy GibbBest Picture: The Deer Hunter
1980Could vote
John Lennon shot and killed in New York
Gas: $1.19/galHome: $47,200Min wage: $3.10/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Call Me" — BlondieBest Picture: Ordinary People
1983Turned 21
Internet adopts TCP/IP, creating the modern internet
Gas: $1.16/galHome: $57,700Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Every Breath You Take" — The PoliceBest Picture: Terms of Endearment
1992Turned 30
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
2002Turned 40
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2012Turned 50
Curiosity rover lands on Mars; Sandy Hook shooting
Gas: $3.64/galHome: $143,200Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Somebody That I Used to Know" — GotyeBest Picture: Argo
2022Turned 60
Russia invades Ukraine; Queen Elizabeth II dies
Gas: $3.97/galHome: $348,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"As It Was" — Harry StylesBest Picture: Everything Everywhere All at Once
2026Age 64 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Received four Primetime Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actor for his role as Roger Sterling on 'Mad Men'.
- Won two Screen Actors Guild Awards as part of the 'Mad Men' ensemble cast.
- Directed multiple episodes of 'Mad Men' and made his feature film directorial debut with 'God's Pocket' in 2014.
Did You Know?
He is married to actress Talia Balsam, who played his character's wife, Mona, on 'Mad Men'.
Slattery had a recurring role as Howard Stark, father of Tony Stark/Iron Man, in several Marvel Cinematic Universe films.
He is a graduate of The Catholic University of America's drama program.
“You can't be a little pregnant. You either are or you aren't.”
