Jay Hernandez


Javier Manuel Hernandez Jr. is an American actor and fashion model. After making his television debut in NBC's Hang Time, Hernandez made his film debut opposite Kirsten Dunst in the romantic drama Crazy/Beautiful. He has since starred in numerous films, including Friday Night Lights, Hostel, Bad Moms, and as Chato Santana / El Diablo in Suicide Squad. He portrays Thomas Magnum in the CBS reboot of Magnum P.I.

Early life

Javier Manuel Hernandez was born on February 20, 1978, in Montebello, California, the son of Isis, a secretary and accountant, and Javier Hernandez Sr., a mechanic, both of whom are third-generation Mexican Americans. 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 seventeen. He attended Don Bosco Technical Institute in Rosemead, California, but transferred to Schurr High School in Montebello his senior year. While riding an elevator in a high-rise in Los Angeles, Hernandez was approached by talent manager Howard Tyner who suggested Hernandez had what it took to have a successful career in Hollywood. He enrolled Hernandez into acting school and sent his pictures to casting agents.

Career

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 ', the 2005 horror film Hostel 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 ', 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 and its 2007 sequel, .
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.
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, news outlets reported that Hernandez was cast as Thomas Magnum in CBS drama series Magnum P.I. reboot. The series premiered on September 24, 2018.

Personal life

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

Filmography

YearFilmRoleNotes
2000 Living the LifeKikicho
2001Crazy/BeautifulCarlos Nuñez
2001Joy RideMarine
2002The RookieJoaquin "Wack" Campos
2004TorqueDalton
2004Ladder 49Keith Perez
2004Friday Night LightsBrian Chavez
2005HostelPaxton Rodriguez
2005'Carlito Brigante
2006NomadErali
2006Karas: The ProphecyNueVoice
2006World Trade CenterDominick Pezzulo
2007GrindhouseBobbyTeaser trailer segment "Thanksgiving"
2007Live!Pablo
2007'Paxton Rodriguez
2008American SonJunior
2008Lakeview TerraceDetective Javier Villareal
2008QuarantineJake
2008Nothing like the HolidaysOzzy
2010TakersDetective Eddie Hatcher
2012LOLJames
2013TrooperCarlos Coto
2015MaxSergeant Reyes
2015The Night Is YoungDean
2016Bad MomsJessie Harkness
2016Suicide SquadChato Santana / El Diablo
2017A Bad Moms ChristmasJessie Harkness
2017BrightRodriguez
2019Toy Story 4Bonnie's dadVoice

YearTitleRoleNotes
1998–2000Hang TimeAntonio LopezUnknown episodes
1999USA HighJose1 episode
2000UndressedEddieUnknown episodes
2000One WorldOctavio1 episode
2002American FamilyCisco2 episodes
2006–2007Six DegreesCarlos Green14 episodes
2012Last ResortPaul Wells7 episodes
2013NashvilleDante Rivas6 episodes
2013Ghost GhirlsAgent Sanchez1 episode
2014Gang RelatedDaniel AcostaUnknown episodes
2015The ExpanseDimitri Havelock
2017ScandalCurtis PryceSeason 7
2018–presentMagnum P.I.Thomas MagnumMain role
2020Hawaii Five-0Thomas Magnum

Awards and nominations