Jay Hernandez

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).

Hernandez was born February 20, 1978 in Montebello, California, the son of Isis (née 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.

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.

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