by Luis I. Reyes
Jay Hernandez at European “Suicide Squad” Premiere
Handsome actor Jay Hernandez is perhaps best known but almost unrecognizable for his role as super powerful pyro kinetic hairless, tattooed super hero El Diablo/ A.K. A. Chato Santana in the hit movie Suicide Squad opposite Will Smith.
On July 26th in Honolulu Hawaii, Hernandez steps before the cameras and assumes the role of Thomas Magnum, when filming begins on the first season of Magnum P.I., the new CBS series reboot of the classic 80’s TV crime drama that catapulted Tom Selleck, his Ferrari and Hawaiian shirts to stardom and iconic status. It is hoped that this reboot which debuts in September does the same for the 40 year old Hernandez.
Magnum is a highly decorated US Navy Seal who decides to put his training and experience to work as a private detective in Hawaii after his return home from a tour of duty in Afghanistan. It’s a different take on the character that was not originally envisioned as Latino, but Hernandez is an American of Mexican descent and won the role.
In an Entertainment Weekly online interview at the time of Suicide Squad, Jay commented, “We’ve been hearing for many years that change is coming. Ultimately it’s about money… and the viewership by Hispanic audiences is undeniable. It’s a clear sign that things have to shift when you have success with things that are ethnically diverse.”
The pilot episode of Magnum P.I. was directed by Justin Lin who directed The Fast and The Furious franchise and introduces the characters with great action, visual flair and smart snappy dialogue set against beautiful Hawaiian locations. The reboot is produced and written by Peter Lenkov who also serves as showrunner for the Hawaii Five-O reboot which is in its ninth season.
Jay Hernandez
Hernandez was born and raised in Montebello, California to Isis Maldonado, an accountant and Javier Hernandez, a mechanic. He was discovered right out of high school while riding in a high rise elevator by a talent agent who suggested he become an actor and model. Jay made his TV debut in 1998 in the Saturday morning TV series Hang Time that ran for two seasons on NBC.
The young actor gained attention with his lead role as Carlos Nunez, a teenager from East L.A. who falls in love with a self-destructive girl from the West Side in the theatrical feature film Crazy/ Beautiful opposite Kirsten Dunst. His feature film credits include Disney’s The Rookie, Friday Night Lights opposite Billy Bob Thornton, Hostel, Bad Mom and its sequel Bad Mom’s Christmas. Hernandez played the young Carlito Brigante, a role created by Al Pacino in Carlito’s Way in its prequel Carlito’s Way: Rise to Power. His other TV credits include Scandal, American Family, Gang Related, Last Resort and Netflix’s Bright.
Jay Hernandez as Magnum P.I. makes its debut this fall on the CBS television network. He is ripped by ICM Partners/Talent Agent and Alchemy Entertainment/Manager.
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