The word Ham to mean an "overacting inferior performer," apparently dates from about 1882 and originates from American English. Originally the word was hamfatter, meaning "actor of low grade," and has been linked to an old minstrel show song, "The Ham-fat Man" which dates from about 1863.
Today when people ham it up they deliberately exaggerate their emotions or movements.
(source)
Here's my husband hamming it up in 1995.
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