Jay Hernandez

From 2018 to 2024, he played Thomas Magnum in the CBS television series Magnum P.I.

• Name — Jay Hernandez • Birth Name — Javier Manuel Hernandez • Born — 20 February 1978 • Birthplace — Montebello, California, U.S. • Occupation — Actor • Years Active — 1998–present Javier Manuel "Jay" Hernandez (born February 20, 1978) is an American 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.

Hernandez was born on February 20, 1978, in Montebello, California, the son of Isis (née Maldonado), a secretary and accountant, and 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.

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. 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.

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

• 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?"