Javier Manuel "Jay" Hernandez (born February 20, 1978) is an American and Mexican actor. After making his television debut in NBC's Hang Time, he made his film debut opposite Kirsten Dunst in the romantic drama Crazy/Beautiful (2001). He has since starred in numerous films, including Torque (2004), Friday Night Lights (2004), Hostel (2005), Bad Moms (2016), and as Chato Santana / El Diablo in Suicide Squad (2016). From 2018 to 2024, he played Thomas Magnum in the CBS television series Magnum P.I.
Early life Hernandez was born on February 20, 1978, in Montebello, California to Mexican parents, his mother Isis (née Maldonado), a secretary and accountant,Garcia Berumen, Frank Javier (August 1, 2014). Latino Image Makers in Hollywood: Performers, Filmmakers and Films Since the 1960s. McFarland, p. 307. Archived at Google Books. Retrieved August 13, 2016."Actor gets a tortured role in 'Hostel'", eastvalleytribune.com, January 11, 2006. and his father 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 who both came to the US in 1970.
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."Max: What Kind Of Dog Is Max?". The New York Times. June 18, 2015.
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
Year Film Role Notes 2000 Living the Life Kikicho 2001 Crazy/Beautiful Carlos Nuñez Joy Ride Marine Cameo 2002 The Rookie Joaquin "Wack" Campos 2004 Torque Dalton Ladder 49 Keith Perez Friday Night Lights Brian Chavez 2005 Hostel Paxton Rodriguez Carlito's Way: Rise to Power Carlito Brigante2006 Nomad Erali Karas: The Prophecy Nue Voice role World Trade Center Dominick Pezzulo2007 Grindhouse Bobby Teaser trailer segment: "Thanksgiving" Live! Pablo Hostel: Part II Paxton Rodriguez2008 American Son Junior Lakeview Terrace Detective Javier Villareal Quarantine Jake Nothing like the Holidays Ozzy 2010 Takers Eddie "Hatch" Hatcher 2012 LOL James 2013 Trooper Carlos Coto 2015 Max Sgt. Reyes The Night Is Young Dean 2016 Bad Moms Jessie Harkness Suicide Squad Chato Santana / El Diablo 2017 A Bad Moms Christmas Jessie Harkness Bright Rodriguez 2019 Toy Story 4 Bonnie's Dad Voice role 2023 The Long GameJB Peña 2025 Aztec Batman: Clash of Empires Yohualli Coatl / Batman Voice role; Direct-to-Video 2026 Toy Story 5 Bonnie's Dad Voice role 2027 TBA Post-production TBA Directorial debut
Television Year Title Role Notes 1998–2000 Hang Time Antonio Lopez Guest star (Season 4) Main cast member (Seasons 5–6) 1999 USA High Jose 1 episode 2000 Undressed Eddie Unknown episodes 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 Ghost Ghirls Agent Sanchez 1 episode 2014 Gang Related Daniel Acosta 13 episodes 2015–2016 The Expanse Dimitri Havelock 5 episodes 2017 Scandal Curtis Pryce Season 7 2018–2024 Magnum P.I. Thomas Magnum Main role, 96 episodes; producer (2021–2024) 2019 BoJack Horseman Himself/Mario Voice role;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?"
Awards and nominations YearAssociationCategoryResultWork2002ALMA AwardsOutstanding Actor in a Motion Picturerowspan=3 Crazy/Beautiful2006Fangoria Chainsaw AwardsDude You Don't Wanna Mess With (Best Hero)HostelTeen Choice AwardsMovie – Choice Scream2020National Hispanic Media Coalition Impact AwardsOutstanding Performance in a Television Series Magnum P.I.
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