Jay Hernandez Biography

Javier Manuel "Jay" Hernandez, Jr. (born February 20, 1978) is an American actor. 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 followed that up with several major Hollywood films like Torque, Ladder 49 and Friday Night Lights (2004), Hostel (2005), World Trade Center (2006), Lakeview Terrace (2008) Takers (2010) and Suicide Squad (2016).

Early life

Hernandez was born February 20, 1978 in Montebello, California, the son of Isis (ne Maldonado), 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 14 years old and Daniella was 17 at that time. 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 Carlito's Way: Rise to Power, 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 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.

In 2016, he starred as metahuman ex-gangster El Diablo in the superhero film Suicide Squad.

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 Nuez
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
2005	Carlito's Way: Rise to Power	Carlito Brigante
2006	Nomad	Erali
2006	Karas: The Prophecy	Nue	Voice
2006	World Trade Center	Dominick Pezzulo
2007	Grindhouse	Bobby	Teaser trailer segment "Thanksgiving"
2007	Live!	Pablo
2007	Hostel: Part II	Paxton
2008	American Son	Junior
2008	Lakeview Terrace	Javier Villareal
2008	Quarantine	Jake
2008	Nothing Like the Holidays	Ozzy
2010	Takers	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	In post-production

Television

Year	Title	Role	Notes
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	3 episodes
2013	Ghost Ghirls	Agent Sanchez	1 episode
2014	Gang Related	Daniel Acosta	Unknown episodes
2015	The Expanse	Dmitri Havelock

Awards and nominations

Year	Association	Category	Work	Result
2002	ALMA Awards	Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture		Crazy/Beautiful
2006	Fangoria Chainsaw Awards	Dude You Don't Wanna Mess With (Best Hero)		Hostel
2006	Teen Choice Awards	Movie - Choice Scream		Hostel