Just when you thought Armie Hammer’s life couldn’t get any stranger, his latest birthday gift might have you reconsidering. On his podcast Armie HammerTime, the actor casually revealed that his mother, Dru Hammer, gifted him a vasectomy for his 38th birthday. Yes, you read that right—a vasectomy. Because nothing says “Happy Birthday, son!” like permanently slamming the door on more grandchildren. But honestly, it seems pretty on-brand for the ongoing saga that is Armie Hammer’s life.
Dru didn’t exactly keep things low-key when recounting her conversation with her son. According to her, it went something like this: “I call Armie, and I go, ‘What would you like for your birthday this year?’ He was like, ‘I don’t know. Maybe money. Whatever.’ And I was like, ‘I believe I’m going to give you a vasectomy.'” Says Fox News. Picture that exchange. Money? Nah. Family planning intervention? Absolutely. You almost want to see Armie’s face when he heard the word “vasectomy,” but apparently, he was on board. As he put it, “I have two beautiful kids. I don’t want any more kids. I’m good to go.” According to People. The man’s practical, you’ve got to give him that.
Hammer, who shares two children with his ex-wife Elizabeth Chambers, is still trying to navigate a career rehab tour since the epic PR implosion of early 2021. And what an implosion it was—accusations of sexual misconduct, unsettling DMs full of cannibalistic fantasies, and general chaos led to him getting dropped by his agency, WME, and swiftly booted from any movie project with his name attached (Vox). Not exactly the kind of plot twist that garners sympathy from Hollywood’s elite.
Faced with financial ruin and no more Daddy Hammer Trust Fund to fall back on, Armie Hammer took on a career pivot even more bizarre than his scandals. The guy started selling timeshares in the Cayman Islands. Yup. Selling timeshares. A source dished to People, “His dad won’t help him anymore, and he’s been cut off, so he got to work.” Hammer himself confirmed it with almost concerning enthusiasm, saying, “I loved it… it is so fun.” (E! Online). Imagine going from starring in Call Me by Your Name to convincing Karen from Ohio that her next vacation should be, well, anywhere.
In August 2024, Hammer made headlines again—this time for the most mundane of reasons. He announced via Instagram that he was selling his beloved pickup truck. The reason? He simply couldn’t afford the gas. “I have been back in L.A. for a few weeks now, but I am going to be selling my truck because I can’t afford the gas,” he wrote, as reported by the New York Post. Talk about a steep fall from the glory days of red carpets and chauffeur-driven Escalades.
Now, we have the vasectomy gift. It almost feels strategic, like Armie’s latest effort to paint himself as a regular, relatable dude—a guy who’s had a tough time, a guy whose mom gives him medical procedures instead of ties. He’s trying to own the narrative and maybe angle for a “candid redemption story” that Hollywood loves to script. The thing is, if these public revelations—courtesy of his podcast, Instagram, and mom—are meant to sell him as the guy next door, they’re also edging toward oversharing. Like, hey Armie, you might want to save something for the memoir.
So, what’s next for Hammer? Is this the start of a genuine redemption arc, or just more fodder for the perpetual car crash that is celebrity culture? One thing’s for sure—Armie Hammer remains the poster child for the bizarre intersection of privilege, scandal, and an attempt at blue-collar relatability. And if nothing else, Dru Hammer certainly knows how to give a memorable birthday present.