Jay Hernandez

Early life

Hernandez was born on February 20, 1978, in Montebello, California, the son of Isis (née Maldonado), a secretary and accountant, and Javier Hernandez Sr., a mechanic. He has a younger sister, Amelia, and two older brothers, Michael and Gabriel. He attended Don Bosco Technical Institute in Rosemead, California, but transferred to Schurr High School in Montebello for his senior year. While riding an elevator in a high-rise in Los Angeles, he was approached by talent manager Howard Tyner who suggested he had what it took to have a successful career in Hollywood. He enrolled Hernandez into acting school and sent his pictures to casting agents. He is first generation Mexican-American; his parents are immigrants from Michoacán, Mexico.

Career

From 1998 to 2000, Hernandez played Antonio Lopez on the NBC series Hang Time. His name break came with his role opposite Kirsten Dunst in the 2001 Touchstone Pictures feature Crazy/Beautiful. He has since appeared in several major Hollywood films, including lead roles in Carlito's Way: Rise to Power, the 2005 horror film Hostel and World Trade Center. He appeared in the action/crime film Takers (2010).

He appeared in the 2005 crime prequel Carlito's Way: Rise to Power as Carlito Brigante, the role originated by Al Pacino in the 1993 film of the same name.

Hernandez portrayed Paxton in Eli Roth's Hostel (2005) and its 2007 sequel, Hostel: Part II.

In 2015, he appeared in Max as a US military sergeant assigned with the titular rescue dog, which was traumatized by his previous handler's death.

In 2016, he starred as Jessie Harkness in the comedy film Bad Moms, and as metahuman ex-gangster El Diablo in the superhero film Suicide Squad.

On February 20, 2018, Hernandez was cast as Thomas Magnum in CBS drama series Magnum P.I. reboot. It premiered on September 24, 2018. After four seasons, it was canceled in May 2022, before being rescued by NBC with a two-season order that June.

In 2024 it was announced that Hernandez was to direct his first film, Night Comes, an apocalyptic horror film starring Dafne Keen, Samantha Lorraine and Alexander Ludwig. Principal photography took place in Vancouver, Canada in 2024.

Personal life

In 2006, Hernandez married his former Hang Time co-star Daniella Deutscher.

Filmography

Film

Television

Awards and nominations

References

References

1. (2007). "The New York Times". [[Baseline (database).
2. Garcia Berumen, Frank Javier (August 1, 2014). [https://books.google.com/books?id=oHIHDAAAQBAJ&q=JayHernandez%2CFebruary20%2C1978&pg=PA306 ''Latino Image Makers in Hollywood: Performers, Filmmakers and Films Since the 1960s'']. McFarland, p. 307. Archived at [[Google Books]]. Retrieved August 13, 2016.
3. [http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/get_out/article_2f46a92a-224c-5bd8-a6dd-2a0205f2dd00.html "Actor gets a tortured role in 'Hostel'"], eastvalleytribune.com, January 11, 2006.
4. (June 27, 2001). "Suddenly, Expectations Are Being Heaped on Him".
5. Anita Gates. (October 1, 2005). "Carlito, When He Was Young". [[The New York Times]].
6. [https://www.nytimes.com/video/movies/100000003748629/max-jay-hernandez-on-his-character.html "Max: What Kind Of Dog Is Max?"]. ''The New York Times''. June 18, 2015.
7. (February 20, 2018). "'Magnum PI' Reboot Pilot at CBS Casts Jay Hernandez in Lead Role".
8. (September 20, 2018). "'Magnum P.I.' Review: This Humdrum CBS Procedural Is the Corporatized, Synergistic Reboot of the Future".
9. (June 30, 2022). "'Magnum P.I.' Rescued By NBC With 2-Season, 20-Episode Order".
10. Harrigan, Will. "Dafne Keen Starring In Horror Thriller 'Night Comes — First Look Unveiled {{!}} Cosmic Book News".
11. Grobar, Matt. (2024-05-09). "Dafne Keen & Samantha Lorraine To Star In Jay Hernandez's Horror Thriller 'Night Comes'".
12. Horst, Carole. (2024-11-06). "'Deadpool & Wolverine's' Dafne Keen Stars With Samantha Lorraine in 'Night Comes': See First Look at Thriller Launching Sales at AFM (EXCLUSIVE)".
13. (2023-11-06). "Night Comes".
14. Cabrera, Daniela. (August 2016). "Jay Hernandez & His Wife Had A Very '90s Meeting".
15. Rubble, Royal. (July 26, 2025). "Aztec Batman: Clash Of Empires Trailer Released".