The Man Fired Twice: 5 Brutal Truths About Mad Men’s Burt Peterson And Michael Gaston’s Explosive Role

The character of Burt Peterson, the ill-fated Head of Accounts at Sterling Cooper, remains one of *Mad Men's* most memorable and tragicomic figures, despite his limited screen time. As of December 2025, fan discussions and retrospective analyses continue to highlight Peterson's two spectacular firings as a perfect encapsulation of the ruthless, impersonal nature of the 1960s advertising industry. His explosive, career-ending outbursts, delivered masterfully by actor Michael Gaston, are a recurring motif that serves as a dark, humorous commentary on corporate mergers and the disposable nature of the white-collar workforce. Burt Peterson's story is a microcosm of the entire series’ themes: the constant threat of obsolescence, the clash between old guard professionalism and new corporate ruthlessness, and the simple fact that, in the world of Madison Avenue, no one is truly safe. His character provides a necessary counterpoint to the glamour, grounding the show in the harsh realities of corporate life.

Michael Gaston: The Man Behind the Explosive Outbursts

The memorable intensity of Burt Peterson’s scenes is owed entirely to the seasoned character actor who brought him to life. Michael Gaston is an American film and television actor known for his reliable and often intense portrayal of authority figures, law enforcement, and, in this case, a frustrated corporate man.

• Full Name: Michael Gaston
• Date of Birth: November 5, 1962
• Place of Birth: Walnut Creek, California, USA
• Career Highlights: Gaston has built a prolific career across film and television, often playing roles that require a strong, sometimes shadowy presence.
• Notable TV Roles:
  • Burt Peterson on *Mad Men* (Head of Accounts)
  • Agent Quinn on *Prison Break*
  • Gray Anderson on *Jericho*
  • Gale Bertram on *The Mentalist*
  • Alex Mahaffey on *The Sopranos*
  • Rick Harvey on *The Leftovers*
• Recent Work (2023-2025): Michael Gaston continues to be a working actor, appearing in various high-profile television series, solidifying his reputation as one of Hollywood's most dependable supporting players.

Gaston's ability to pivot between quiet professionalism and volcanic rage made the character of Burt Peterson instantly iconic, ensuring his scenes are perpetually revisited in *Mad Men* highlight reels.

The Brutal Running Gag: Burt Peterson’s Two Firing Scenes

The defining feature of the Burt Peterson character arc is his repeated, spectacular dismissal from the firm. This was not merely a plot device, but a powerful running gag that satirized the instability of the advertising world.

1. The First Firing: The PPL Merger (Season 3, Episode 1)

The first time we see Burt Peterson, he is already a senior account executive, having been mentioned a few times in Season 2. His tenure as Head of Accounts came to a screeching halt in the Season 3 premiere, "Out of Town," following the acquisition of Sterling Cooper by the British firm, Putnam, Powell and Lowe (PPL). * The Context: PPL was streamlining operations and eliminating redundant positions. Burt was chosen as one of the first cuts. * The Cruelty: The scene is particularly brutal as it is revealed that Burt’s wife had cancer and was undergoing radiation treatment, a fact that makes his firing even more devastating on a personal level. * The Outburst: Upon being given the news by Roger Sterling and Cooper, Peterson erupts, delivering a furious, expletive-laden tirade. He famously calls Bert Cooper a "cold fish" and curses the entire company, ending his speech with the unforgettable line, "I'm the Head of Accounts!" This initial firing established Burt Peterson as a tragic symbol of corporate disposability, a competent worker whose personal life and professional dedication meant nothing in the face of a balance sheet.

2. The Second Firing: The SCDP/CGC Merger (Season 6, Episode 7)

Three seasons later, Burt Peterson miraculously reappears. After Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce (SCDP) merges with Ted Chaough’s firm, Cutler, Gleason, and Chaough (CGC), Burt is now an executive at the newly combined company. * The Conflict: The new partnership creates internal friction, and the partners—particularly Roger Sterling—are looking for people to cut to solidify power. Burt’s perceived mediocrity and Roger's personal resentment made him an easy target. * The Justification: Fan analysis often points to the earlier Koss headphones episode, where Burt demonstrated incompetence by calling Peggy Olson late at night with incomplete information, suggesting his job performance was indeed subpar, making his firing professionally justified, unlike the first. * The Second Outburst: Roger Sterling, with Don Draper and Pete Campbell looking on, gleefully delivers the news of his second dismissal. Peterson, true to form, explodes again, launching into another furious, profane rant. This scene, often cited as one of the show's funniest moments, cemented his legacy as the man who simply could not keep a job on Madison Avenue.

The Lingering Question: What Happened to Burt Peterson After McCann?

While Burt Peterson's story largely concludes with his second firing, a brief but critical mention provides a final, tantalizing detail about his fate, one that speaks volumes about the cutthroat nature of the industry. After his second explosion, the ever-scheming Duck Phillips mentions to Pete Campbell that he had secured Burt Peterson a Vice Presidency position at the massive, monolithic advertising agency, McCann-Erickson. This small detail is profoundly significant:

Topical Authority Entity: McCann-Erickson. McCann-Erickson is the industry giant that eventually absorbs the main characters' firm in the final season. The fact that Burt Peterson, the symbol of corporate deadwood and constant firing, was able to land a VP role there suggests that McCann-Erickson was a place where mediocrity could not only survive but thrive, in stark contrast to the volatile, high-stakes environment of SCDP.

The final, dark joke is that the man who was too incompetent to survive at the boutique firms ultimately found a home in the massive, impersonal corporate structure of the industry's largest player. It underscores the show’s theme that size and stability often breed a different, less meritocratic kind of professional survival.

Burt Peterson's brief, fiery appearances serve as a constant reminder that for every Don Draper or Roger Sterling who thrives on chaos, there is a disposable Head of Accounts whose career is simply a casualty of the next merger, no matter how hard they fight or how much personal tragedy they endure. Michael Gaston’s performance ensures that the man fired twice will never be forgotten.

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