Jay Hernandez is an American actor, model and producer of Mexican descent. Best known to the general public for his roles in blockbusters directed by David Eyre “Suicide Squad” and “Brightness”, the horror film “Hostel” and the comedy “Very Bad Moms”. Performs a central role in the upcoming remake of the famous series "Private Detective Magnum".
Childhood and youth
Jay Hernandez was born on February 20, 1978 in Montebello, California. Full name - Javier Manuel Hernandez Jr. The actor was born in the United States and both of his parents are third-generation Mexican-American. Many fans and journalists confuse the nationality of Jay Hernandez, calling him a Mexican actor.
While studying in high school, Jay accidentally met a talent search agent in the elevator, who suggested that the young man try himself as an actor. He became his representative. He helped enroll in acting classes and sent photos of Jay Hernandez to various modeling and casting agencies.
Carier start
In 1998, the actor received one of the main roles in the teenage sitcom “Hanging Time”. He appeared in the last two seasons of the series: in 2000, the project was closed by the channel due to not too high ratings. In 2001, Jay Hernandez played the main character in the youth drama “Crazy and Beautiful,” Kirsten Dunst became his screen partner. In addition, the actor played a small role in the thriller “Wow Ride”.
Hernandez also appeared on several television series as a guest star. In 2002, he joined the main cast of the American Family series, but was replaced by another actor after the pilot left.
First successes
In 2002, the sports drama “Novice” was released, where Jay Hernandez played one of the main roles. In subsequent years, the actor began to work more actively in the movies. He appeared in such notable projects as the drama "In the Glory" and the horror film of Eli Rota "Hostel".
Jay also starred in the prequel to the cult criminal drama Brian De Palma, Carlito's Way, playing the character Al Pacino portrayed in the original. The film received negative reviews from critics, but the author of the novel, on which the film was shot, praised the creators of the project for the accurate adaptation of the source material.
In 2006, Jay starred in Oliver Stone’s drama "The World Trade Center", which tells about the tragedy of September 11th. The following year, he appeared as a cameo in the project of Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez "Grindhouse", starring in one of the fake trailers created specifically for screening before the film.
Also in 2006, Hernandez got the lead role in the drama series Six Degrees, which was closed by the channel after showing its first season due to low ratings. In addition, the actor appeared in the continuation of the hostel horror, which could not repeat the success of the original picture.
The most notable works
The most successful films of Jay Hernandez came in the new decade. In 2010, he played a major role in the crime drama Boys Raiders, two years later appeared in the youth melodrama Summer. Classmates. Love".
During this period, Jay began to work actively again on television, appeared as a guest star in several episodes of the popular series “Nashville” and “Last Hope”. In 2015, he received one of the main roles in the first season of the sci-fi project “Space”. However, his character did not appear in subsequent seasons of the series.
In 2015, the actor played a small role in the family film "Max." A year later, he played the role of love interest of the main character in the comedy "Very Bad Mommies", which unexpectedly became a hit for many. Also appeared in the superhero blockbuster Suicide Squad as El Diablo. For the role, the actor had to shave his eyebrows and apply complex makeup daily. David Eyre's picture received negative reviews from critics and disappointed many fans, but the work of Jay Hernandez received generally positive ratings.
Recent and future projects
At the end of 2017, two films with the participation of the actor were released. He played a small role in the fantasy action movie Brightness, where he again worked with David Eyre, and also returned in the sequel to Very Bad Mommies.
In addition, Jay Hernandez appeared in the final, seventh, season of the popular political series Scandal. In the fall of 2018, the premiere of the reboot of the legendary series of the eighties “Private Detective Magnum” is planned. The role of the main character, Thomas Magnum, which was originally performed by actor Tom Selleck, will be played by Hernandez. Many fans of the series were unsatisfied with the choice of the creators. They were especially upset by the absence of Magnum’s legendary mustache in the new version, however, critics, after watching several episodes, generally spoke positively about the project.
Personal life
The actor never tried to hide his personal life from the press. Jay Hernandez met his future wife Danielle Deutscher at the age of fourteen. The girl at that time was seventeen. They later co-starred in the series Hanging Time. In addition, Danielle appeared in several seasons of the series "Las Vegas".
In 2006, young people legalized their relationship, the couple have no children. Since 2009, Deutscher does not work as an actress.
Jay Hernandez has two older brothers and a younger sister. In his free time, the actor likes to watch MMA fights, his favorite athlete is Conor McGregor. He loves animals, there is a dog named Donner.