Marcello Hernández: Catch him, if you can

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Man, listening to Marcello Hernández talk is a treat. His voice just bounces with energy! He’s got this amazing rhythm when he tells jokes – it reminds me so much of the Caribbean music I grew up with, like the classics my parents loved – artists like Juan Luis Guerra, Celia Cruz, and Tito El Bambino. It’s like that same musicality comes out when he speaks.

The 28-year-old comedian describes his father as a humorous, smaller-statured Dominican man, and his mother as a very vibrant and outgoing Cuban woman. He says growing up and seeing both of them be funny in their own ways greatly influenced him.

In his 2025 Netflix special, “American Boy,” Hernández hilariously described growing up in Miami, where he played soccer and became known for funny videos on the popular “Only in Dade” social media page. He then joined the cast of “Saturday Night Live” in 2022, bringing his energetic mix of Spanish and English to sketches like “Domingo” (with Sabrina Carpenter) and a parody of the Latin American show “Sabado Gigante.” He’s collaborated with stars like Pedro Pascal and Bad Bunny in sketches like “Protective Mom” (inspired by his own mother) to share the fun and unique style of Latino comedy with a wider audience.

On May 10th, comedian Gabriel Hernández will perform at the Hollywood Bowl in what’s being called the largest Spanish-language comedy show ever held there, as part of the Netflix Is a Joke festival. He’ll be joined by fellow Mexican comedian Sofia Niño de Rivera, and the show will also feature a performance by popular Colombian singer Feid – whose music Hernández happily sings along to, even during our conversation. He’s currently obsessed with the song “Chorrito Pa Las Animas.”

Hernández explained that this marks the first time a comedy show entirely in Spanish will be held at the Hollywood Bowl, and he was shocked when his agents told him the news.

Hernández appeared on our Zoom call wearing Clubmaster sunglasses, bundled up in a hoodie, scarf, and beanie. He’d just finished a walk in New York with his girlfriend, architect Ana Amelia Batlle Cabral, and was still shaking off the cold—he expected to warm up once he arrived in California.

He wants to be able to tell his children about performing at the Hollywood Bowl, saying something like, ‘Remember, your dad was the first to do that!’ It’s a family thing, he explains – his uncles always liked to point out when they were the first to try something new.

He exclaimed, gesturing dramatically at the screen, “I was the first person… in the world!”

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This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

Your Cuban and Dominican family plays a big role in your Netflix special, “American Boy.” How did growing up with them shape the way you find things funny?

Growing up with divorced parents often forces you to mature faster. It seems like a lot of us who’ve been through that develop a sense of humor as a way to cope. It’s ironic, because ending a relationship – saying ‘I can’t be with you anymore’ – is actually a very childish thing to do. I remember acting like a little adult when coordinating between my parents, calmly telling my dad things like, ‘Can you pick me up at 7? Let’s have dinner, and then drop me off so I’m ready for school tomorrow.’

Caribbeans love nicknames. What were some nicknames you had growing up?

The Dominican kids I met at summer camp were hilarious. They playfully teased me by calling me “rubio” and “gringo,” even though they knew I was also Dominican. My young cousin had trouble pronouncing my name, so he nicknamed me Mamelo, which is a playful, and somewhat cheeky, term in Spanish.

Do you ever consult your family before writing jokes?

I feel like I’ve put in the work and earned the right to share my experiences. My family and I are very close, and I would never do anything to embarrass them just for a joke. That’s not a risk I’m willing to take. My mom always comes to my performances wondering what I’ll say next, but we have a really strong bond. One thing I appreciate about growing up in an immigrant family is our sense of humor – we don’t take ourselves too seriously, especially when life can be so difficult.

Your mother is a Cuban refugee, and you’ve turned her experiences into a way to playfully acknowledge your own comfortable upbringing. How has listening to her stories and reflecting on the differences in your lives changed the way you see the world?

I’ve always been fortunate to have a stable life, unlike her, who had to build everything from scratch in a new country at an age when I’m now just dealing with everyday stresses. Seeing her experience has really shifted my outlook. I truly believe that perspective is what helps people cope with challenges and thrive. It all comes down to how you choose to see things. When you focus on gratitude, you’re much more likely to overcome difficulties and make a positive impact on the world.

When I was growing up, I volunteered at a local retirement home and became close to a group of Cuban women. I especially enjoyed spending time with one woman who was 98 years old, often taking her for walks in her wheelchair. She always seemed genuinely happy to see me. Sadly, she passed away a year after we met. That experience taught me the importance of cherishing time with others. Initially, going to the retirement home felt like a chore – something I’d rather not do when I just wanted to relax. But I eventually discovered a real sense of fulfillment in being there for people. I’ve also had the chance to meet many successful and famous people who are incredibly kind, generous, and compassionate, which motivates me to be a better person.

Who are some of those people for you?

Pedro Pascal credits a sketch on “SNL” as a turning point in his career. He’s especially grateful for the support he received from Kenan Thompson, who was always incredibly helpful when he first started. Colin Jost was consistently kind, and Ego Nwodim acted as a supportive older sister on set, impressing him with her talent. Kevin Hart also provided a lot of guidance and felt like an older brother to him.

Being a Latino and the first Gen-Z performer on “Saturday Night Live,” you’ve really helped the show evolve. Your sketches have featured fantastic Latino characters, and you even brought attention to the classic show “Sabado Gigante!”

I collaborated on that sketch with Steven Castillo, who is Mexican American. We both grew up watching that show, so it felt special to work on it together. It was great to perform with American comedians like Paul Rudd and Nate Bargatze – Nate was hilarious! I’m hoping when I look back on my time at SNL, I’ll be proud of the work I did. The advice is to write what you know, and I definitely know a thing or two about growing up Latino.

It’s really fun watching you and Bad Bunny work together in your sketches. Could you talk about how you built a good working relationship with him as performers?

He’s really just a down-to-earth person. I’ve gotten to know his family and friends, and he clearly values those close relationships. I feel lucky he’s welcomed me into his life. He works incredibly hard and is very talented, so when he’s on ‘SNL,’ I want to make sure I give him a good role. The ‘El Chavo Del Ocho’ sketch was something he was especially passionate about.

So, you’re the main comedian at an all-Spanish comedy show at the Hollywood Bowl, and Feid is performing too—will you be incorporating music into your set?

I’m a huge fan of his music! I even went to one of his concerts by myself before. The show starts with comedy, then transitions into high-energy reggaeton. I really want the audience to have fun, laugh, and dance – it’s pretty much my perfect night out.

Say you were in a crowd of Latinos at a karaoke bar — what would you sing?

Spanish just feels more sophisticated. I remember being a teenager in high school in Miami, and it was hilarious to be singing these really intense love songs on the bus with all the athletes. We thought we were so cool! There are tons of great songs to choose from – I even sign my emails with “La Bamba.” Some of my all-time favorites include “Loco” by Beéle and “Amor Narcótico” by Chichí Peralta. I also love “Me Rehúso” by Danny Ocean, and I was stopped in my tracks yesterday when I heard “Te Lo Agradezco, Pero No” by Alejandro Sanz and Shakira playing from a food cart!

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2026-04-28 13:32