Biography
David Hernandez was born and raised in the west side of Chicago,in the neighborhoods of Logan square/Bucktown and Humboldt Park. David Hernandez has proven over his lifetime to be a true Renaissance man.
David's family and friends thought that David would be perfect for television and film since he was the family entertainer along with his sister Deborah Hernandez. His career began almost like a written storyline. David was discovered on the streets of Chicago by by Sylvia Giannini and Jack Ginay of NBC Chicago in 1984 while filming a Docu-drama named "Still A Stranger" at Augusta and Rockwell in front of his Grandmothers Video game room business where David was interviewed. NBC Producer and director were so impressed with David, his captivating personality and animated ways, he was asked to audition for a national role in "Still A Stranger" A docu-drama whose intent was to introduce the Hispanic people and culture to the rest of the world, by showing real world trials, triumphs and defeats faced by hispanics.
David Hernandez portrayed the son of the family as Carlos. This program was his first time ever on television and he had a national role! David was a natural. Without any previous experience or training David held his own alongside seasoned name actors. Yes, he did audition against the more experienced actors of the time in his age range in Chicago, his natural talent proved to be right on the mark. It has been said that David Hernandez stole the roles' prior to any audition and that the audition was simply a formality at the time. There were few if any child actors in the industry with his natural abilities.
He was then hunted down by a talent Agent by the name of Myrna Salazar of Salazar & Navas Talent agency. She was at the casting audition for Night of Courage and read with David as his mother in the story. She offered him representation at the N.B.C. studios and David Flat out declined her offer and refused to share any contact information. The locals in the Humboldt park neighborhood recall, a lady was driving around in a Mercedes-Benz and wearing a fur coat. She was looking for David Hernandez. Word Spread fast and David received the information by the hand of his grandmother (Maria Mendez). She handed David Mrs. Salazars' business card. At the time David was not living at home with his parents he was only 14 years old. David contacted the agent and at that young age, traveled on his own by public transportation to see the talent agent who was located on Rush street in Chicago at the time. David handled his business affairs without any adult supervision. David began landing more and more work and was required to join the actors Union SAG, AFTRA and Actors Equity for live theater.
On or around 1986, he was offered a contract (an exclusive contract) with NBC in which David was ready and able to accept. His then agent somehow managed to botch the negotiations and blew the contract all together. This was his first big break network opportunity that would have taken him into the sitcom world. His Agent let him down and stated that the contract offered was not acceptable and he was better off not accepting it. He trusted her recommendation and later felt regret when he discovered the terms of the contract. This was an offer of a lifetime. Gone like the wind. David had no idea that he could have obtained other representation and avoided work by avoiding calls from his agent. This was detrimental to his career. Then life got in the way and David left the industry for many years.
Years later in his mid twenties, he owned a Sea Food Restaurant in the west side of Chicago for 9 years. During this time he avoided the movie industry all together. Then by chance a customer walked into his restaurant and recognized him. That same customer was also in the movie industry and spread the word that the 1980's acting dynamo was now all grown up and owned this restaurant. The industry came knocking on his door once again, inviting David to audition for the film "original Gangstas" David was not very interested in acting however. It took some persuading, fortunately he finally agreed to get involved. David now admits that one you get bit by the acting bug it is difficult ignore. However, David will not accept non-speaking roles and has been fortunate to always have his lines opposite big name stars. The movie industry in Chicago was lagging for many years and the main issue now is that any movies that come into town are usually pre-cast and the roles of interest are usually taken. Therefore, David has not participated in many auditions. He refuses to clutter his resume with what he considers to be non-growth credits. "It is either of some significance and shows your ability or it's just extra work".
David Hernandez on or around 2001 took full control of Coqui-tv on channel 25 on Comcast Network. Producing, directing and even editing the Bi-lingual Chicago cable television program in 2005 when he realized that the higher ups were not willing to expand or further improve programming. He had obtained experience in that field when he worked at Fox Television in Wichita Kansas (KSAS FOX 24) in the mid 1990's. He began as a switching engineer and moved into production at a later time back in Chicago.
Today David Hernandez does not pursue heavily the acting opportunities. David has always allowed for the opportunities to come to him. He has full faith that whatever roles are meant for him, "the good Lord will bring to his door" . This is unorthodox as many actors spend countless hours seeking their next gig and networking in the hopes of landing that big role. Interestingly enough David Hernandez has has always had the blessing of having only speaking roles, usually opposite the lead actors in the films.
On his resume there is a unwavering comment as referred to before, clearly and conspicuously stating that David will not accept any extra work (non-speaking role). "Not that there is anything wrong with being an extra" Mr. Hernandez remarked. However, David believes that this type of work does not represent his caliber of ability. Every Acting job he has landed is a speaking role, outside of the movies where the speaking scenes were deleted and only his image was used. Unfortunately this happened in the movie the promotion, Nothing Like the holidays and most recently The Chicago Fire - Hell of a ride episode.
He did try extra work once. He was asked by his industry friend Sue Kanutsen an extras casting director in the early 90's to be in the film "Code of Silence" his experience there was not what he desired and has not worked as an extra ever since. He was asked if he will act again and his response was " Talk to my agent and I don't do extra work". He smiled and assured that he is open to work as long as it is a meaningful role.
David Hernandez is now the V.P. in charge of production in an up and coming television networknamed "VSPANN" a broadcast network dedicated to Veterans and the communities they live in. The last reported project was that of a role in the Chicago Series " Chicago Fire" as Acevedo. Prior to that was "Mob Doctor" in which David Hernandez portrays the gang leader Umberto Cruz of the Latin Kings. David admitted that he has never been in a gang and the thought of portraying a member of a real gang was possibly dangerous. However, the opportunity to work side by side with William Forsythe, Jennifer Beals, Mike Starr and with a few lines was welcome.
David Hernandez grew up around many gang members. There was pressure to join, yet David never did, saying " He was more afraid of his father than any gang member". He was warned by his father Felix Antonio Hernandez that if he ever caught wind that David was involved in a gang that would be the end of David. Today David has various scars that he states are his war wounds. Obtained in various situations in the avoidance of joining gangs and in situations where he was accused of being a gang member when he was not. He learned how to stand up for himself in the tough Chicago streets and today is a loving husband and a father and is eternally grateful to his now deceased father for keeping him on the straight and narrow.
In the January 1989 issue of T.V. Guide with "The 1989 Network News All-Star Team," featuring Tom Brokaw, Peter Jennings, Andrea Mitchell, and Leslie Stahl on the cover Inside was a written interview that was had with one of the supporting role actors "Tom Hodges" of the movie Night of Courage". David was not interviewed. Yet David's Name came up, he was one of the lead actors of that Monday night movie of the week.
Tom Hodges, stated that during the shoot in Humboldt park one night the police had advised the movie producers to shut down for the night that a gang war was in progress and would take place in that very park. David Hernandez stepped up and said that he would talk to the heads of the gangs named, and he did. He confronted them with Hispanic pride and expressing his views on the importance of respect for other Hispanics. He insisted that this film was important and that they consider his Latin Blood plea. Incredibly a truce was struck for the night. The entire night the cast and crew were able to work without incident and the gangs from each side of the park intently watching the film being made.
