April Lee Hernández
Encyclopedia
April Lee Hernandez is an American
film and television actress. She has also been credited as April L. Hernandez and April Hernandez Castillo.
in The Bronx
. She is of Puerto Rican
descent and has described herself as a "strong Latina
". Went to Aquinas High School
in the Bronx, New York then Hernandez studied nutrition
in Hunter College
, but dropped out to pursue a comedy career after being inspired by John Leguizamo
's off-Broadway production Mambo Mouth.
, she has also appeared in several commercials, as well as on the television series ER
, Law & Order
, and 30 Rock. In June 2010 she was cast for the American cult series Dexter
.
, in which she played Eva, based on real-life high school
student Maria Reyes.
Hernandez has said that she was "determined" to be cast in Freedom Writers. She admires Jennifer Lopez
, and has stated that Lopez "opened the door for me so that I don't have to take certain roles" as a Hispanic-American actress.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
film and television actress. She has also been credited as April L. Hernandez and April Hernandez Castillo.
Biography
Hernandez grew up near the Grand ConcourseGrand Concourse (Bronx)
The Grand Concourse is a major thoroughfare in the borough of the Bronx in New York City...
in The Bronx
The Bronx
The Bronx is the northernmost of the five boroughs of New York City. It is also known as Bronx County, the last of the 62 counties of New York State to be incorporated...
. She is of Puerto Rican
Puerto Rican people
A Puerto Rican is a person who was born in Puerto Rico.Puerto Ricans born and raised in the continental United States are also sometimes referred to as Puerto Ricans, although they were not born in Puerto Rico...
descent and has described herself as a "strong Latina
Latino
The demonyms Latino and Latina , are defined in English language dictionaries as:* "a person of Latin-American descent."* "A Latin American."* "A person of Hispanic, especially Latin-American, descent, often one living in the United States."...
". Went to Aquinas High School
Aquinas High School (New York City)
Aquinas High School is an all-girls, private, Roman Catholic high school in The Bronx, New York. It is located within the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York.- Background :...
in the Bronx, New York then Hernandez studied nutrition
Nutrition
Nutrition is the provision, to cells and organisms, of the materials necessary to support life. Many common health problems can be prevented or alleviated with a healthy diet....
in Hunter College
Hunter College
Hunter College, established in 1870, is a public university and one of the constituent colleges of the City University of New York, located on Manhattan's Upper East Side. Hunter grants undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate degrees in more than one hundred fields of study, and is recognized...
, but dropped out to pursue a comedy career after being inspired by John Leguizamo
John Leguizamo
Jonathan Alberto "John" Leguizamo is an Colombian-American actor, producer, voice artist, and comedian.-Early life:...
's off-Broadway production Mambo Mouth.
Television
Aside from performing stand-up comedyStand-up comedy
Stand-up comedy is a comedic art form. Usually, a comedian performs in front of a live audience, speaking directly to them. Their performances are sometimes filmed for later release via DVD, the internet, and television...
, she has also appeared in several commercials, as well as on the television series ER
ER (TV series)
ER is an American medical drama television series created by novelist Michael Crichton that aired on NBC from September 19, 1994 to April 2, 2009. It was produced by Constant c Productions and Amblin Entertainment, in association with Warner Bros. Television...
, Law & Order
Law & Order
Law & Order is an American police procedural and legal drama television series, created by Dick Wolf and part of the Law & Order franchise. It aired on NBC, and in syndication on various cable networks. Law & Order premiered on September 13, 1990, and completed its 20th and final season on May 24,...
, and 30 Rock. In June 2010 she was cast for the American cult series Dexter
Dexter (TV series)
Dexter is an American television drama series, which debuted on Showtime on October 1, 2006. The sixth season premiered on October 2, 2011. The series centers on Dexter Morgan , a bloodstain pattern analyst for the Miami Metro Police Department who moonlights as a serial killer...
.
Movie
She is known for her role in the 2007 drama Freedom WritersFreedom Writers
Freedom Writers is a 2007 American drama film starring Academy Award winner Hilary Swank, Scott Glenn, Imelda Staunton and Patrick Dempsey. It is based on the book The Freedom Writers Diary by teacher Erin Gruwell who wrote the story based on Woodrow Wilson Classical High School in Long Beach,...
, in which she played Eva, based on real-life high school
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
student Maria Reyes.
Hernandez has said that she was "determined" to be cast in Freedom Writers. She admires Jennifer Lopez
Jennifer Lopez
Jennifer Lynn Lopez is an American actress, singer, record producer, dancer, television personality, and fashion designer. Lopez began her career as a dancer on the television comedy program In Living Color. Subsequently venturing into acting, she gained recognition in the 1995 action-thriller...
, and has stated that Lopez "opened the door for me so that I don't have to take certain roles" as a Hispanic-American actress.
Television
- ERER (TV series)ER is an American medical drama television series created by novelist Michael Crichton that aired on NBC from September 19, 1994 to April 2, 2009. It was produced by Constant c Productions and Amblin Entertainment, in association with Warner Bros. Television...
- Law & OrderLaw & OrderLaw & Order is an American police procedural and legal drama television series, created by Dick Wolf and part of the Law & Order franchise. It aired on NBC, and in syndication on various cable networks. Law & Order premiered on September 13, 1990, and completed its 20th and final season on May 24,...
(2004) - 30 Rock30 Rock30 Rock is an American television comedy series created by Tina Fey that airs on NBC. The series is loosely based on Fey's experiences as head writer for Saturday Night Live...
(2006) - DexterDexter (TV series)Dexter is an American television drama series, which debuted on Showtime on October 1, 2006. The sixth season premiered on October 2, 2011. The series centers on Dexter Morgan , a bloodstain pattern analyst for the Miami Metro Police Department who moonlights as a serial killer...
(2010)
Television Credits
- Blind Justice (2007) - Cindy
- Johnny Zero (2007) - Sal or Salmone
- Nurse Jackie: Pilot (2007) - Actor
- The View (2007) - Host
- 30 Rock