Javier Manuel Hernandez Jr. (born February 20, 1978), known professionally as Jay Hernandez, is an American actor and fashion model.[1] After making his television debut in NBC's Hang Time, Hernandez made his film debut opposite Kirsten Dunst in the romantic drama Crazy/Beautiful (2001). He has since starred in numerous films, including Friday Night Lights (2004), Hostel (2005), Bad Moms (2016), and as Chato Santana / El Diablo in Suicide Squad (2016). Since 2018, he has played the role of Thomas Magnum in the reboot of Magnum P.I.
Jay Hernandez | |
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![]() Hernandez at the 2016 San Diego Comic Con | |
Born | Javier Manuel Hernandez Jr. (1978-02-20) February 20, 1978 (age 44) Montebello, California, U.S. |
Occupation |
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Years active | 1998–present |
Spouse |
Hernandez was born on February 20, 1978, in Montebello, California, the son of Isis (née Maldonado), a secretary and accountant,[2][3] and Javier Hernandez Sr., a mechanic,[2][4] He has a younger sister, Amelia, and two older brothers, Michael and Gabriel. He met his wife, actress Daniella Deutscher, when he was fourteen years old and Daniella was 17.[4] He attended Don Bosco Technical Institute in Rosemead, California, but transferred to Schurr High School in Montebello his senior year.[3] While riding an elevator in a high-rise in Los Angeles,[2][3] Hernandez was approached by talent manager Howard Tyner who suggested Hernandez had what it took to have a successful career in Hollywood.[4] He enrolled Hernandez into acting school and sent his pictures to casting agents.[2]
From 1998 to 2000 he played Antonio Lopez on the NBC series Hang Time. Hernandez subsequently hit success with his role opposite Kirsten Dunst in Crazy/Beautiful. He has since appeared in several major Hollywood films, including playing the lead roles in Carlito's Way: Rise to Power,[5] the 2005 horror film Hostel[3] and World Trade Center. Hernandez appeared in the action/crime film Takers, which was released in August 2010.
Hernandez appeared in the 2005 crime prequel Carlito's Way: Rise to Power, playing Carlito Brigante, the role originated by Al Pacino in the original 1993 film Carlito's Way.
Hernandez portrayed Paxton in Eli Roth's Hostel (2005) and its 2007 sequel, Hostel: Part II.
In 2015, he appeared in Max as a sergeant in the United States military assigned with the titular rescue dog, which was traumatized by his previous handler's death.[6]
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.[7] The series premiered on September 24, 2018.[8] After four seasons, the show was canceled in May 2022, before being rescued by NBC with a two season order in June.[9]
In 2006, Hernandez married his former Hang Time co-star Daniella Deutscher.[10]
Hernandez is a supporter of the Democratic Party and on Twitter regularly criticizes members of the Republican Party and former President Donald Trump.
Year | Film | Role | Notes |
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2000 | Living the Life | Kikicho | |
2001 | Crazy/Beautiful | Carlos Nuñez | |
2001 | Joy Ride | Marine | |
2002 | The Rookie | Joaquin "Wack" Campos | |
2004 | Torque | Dalton | |
2004 | Ladder 49 | Keith Perez | |
2004 | Friday Night Lights | Brian Chavez | |
2005 | Hostel | Paxton Rodriguez | |
2005 | Carlito's Way: Rise to Power | Carlito Brigante | |
2006 | Nomad | Erali | |
Karas: The Prophecy | Nue | Voice | |
World Trade Center | Dominick Pezzulo | ||
2007 | Grindhouse | Bobby | Teaser trailer segment "Thanksgiving" |
Live! | Pablo | ||
Hostel: Part II | Paxton Rodriguez | ||
2008 | American Son | Junior | |
Lakeview Terrace | Detective Javier Villareal | ||
Quarantine | Jake | ||
Nothing like the Holidays | Ozzy | ||
2010 | Takers | Detective Eddie Hatcher | |
2012 | LOL | James | |
2013 | Trooper | Carlos Coto | |
2015 | Max | Sergeant Reyes | |
2015 | The Night Is Young | Dean | |
2016 | Bad Moms | Jessie Harkness | |
2016 | Suicide Squad | Chato Santana / El Diablo | |
2017 | A Bad Moms Christmas | Jessie Harkness | |
2017 | Bright | Rodriguez | |
2019 | Toy Story 4 | Bonnie's dad | Voice |
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
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1998–2000 | Hang Time | Antonio Lopez | Unknown episodes |
1999 | USA High | Jose | 1 episode |
2000 | Undressed | Eddie | Unknown episodes |
2000 | One World | Octavio | 1 episode |
2002 | American Family | Cisco | 2 episodes |
2006–2007 | Six Degrees | Carlos Green | 14 episodes |
2012 | Last Resort | Paul Wells | 7 episodes |
2013 | Nashville | Dante Rivas | 6 episodes |
2013 | Ghost Ghirls | Agent Sanchez | 1 episode |
2014 | Gang Related | Daniel Acosta | 13 episodes |
2015 | The Expanse | Dimitri Havelock | 5 episodes |
2017 | Scandal | Curtis Pryce | Season 7 |
2018–present | Magnum P.I. | Thomas Magnum | Main role, 76 Episodes; also producer (2021–present) |
2019 | BoJack Horseman | Himself/Mario (voice) | Episode: "A Horse Walks into a Rehab" |
2020 | Hawaii Five-0 | Thomas Magnum | Episode: "Ihea 'oe i ka wa a ka ua e loku ana?" |
2023 | The Good Doctor |
Year | Association | Category | Result | Work |
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2002 | ALMA Awards | Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture | Nominated | Crazy/Beautiful |
2006 | Fangoria Chainsaw Awards | Dude You Don't Wanna Mess With (Best Hero) | Hostel | |
Teen Choice Awards | Movie – Choice Scream | |||
2020 | National Hispanic Media Coalition Impact Awards | Outstanding Performance in a Telelvision Series | Won | Magnum PI |
General | |
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National libraries | |
Other |
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