Tom Hernández


Domingo Tomás "Tom" Hernández Bethencourt, better known as Tom Hernández, was a Spanish-born American theater, films, and television actor, who played supporting roles, usually Hispanics, throughout his career. He was mainly known for their roles in the American film The 3rd Voice, and in the Spanish films "Fuerza Mortal" and "Tunka, el guerrero". However, he is best remembered by his interpretation of Don Diego character at the San Diego's fair Del Mar Fair during almost of four decades until his death in 1984. He held the position of goodwill ambassador of the fair, promoting it and he welcomed people that came to the fair with his greeting in Spanish "¡Bienvenidos, Amigos!", greeting for which he was known. He was brother of also actor Pepe Hern and uncle of present-day actor Justin Lopez from The Three Stooges.

Biography

Hernández was born on October 9, 1915, in Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerife, to Domingo Hernández and Dominga Bethencourt. In 1920, Hernandez emigrated with his parents and an eldest brother to the United States when he was five. He also had a younger brother, the future actor Pepe Hern.
Eventually, Hernandez became interested in film, and got jobs of helper, which led him to small roles with marked Hispanic roots. Domingo chosen the Tom Hernandez stage name, seeking a certain approach to their host country, but without completely abandoning their roots.
After working in theater for a long time, he was offered a small role in Tarzan and the Slave Girl, and during the '50s was common to see him at many American films and some episodes of some American TV series, playing supporting roles.
The film in which, perhaps, had the greater role in his Hollywood career was "The 3rd Voice"
That brief moment of brilliance on the big screen in the early 60 allowed to Tom Hernandez access to more regular jobs in renowned television series as " The Virginian", "" and "Daniel Boone", one of the last TV series in which he worked. Already into the '70s, his appearances on screen were losing relevance, focusing thereafter, basically, in his job as goodwill ambassador in the Del Mar Fair, in San Diego, in which he had already begun to work from the 40s.
Although he continued to participate in some movies, highlighting its roles in the Spanish films Cuatro locos buscan manicomio, Fuerza mortal and Tunka, el guerrero.
By other way, since 1947 Hernández began to interpret Don Diego's character at the Del Mar Fair in San Diego, appearing as master of ceremonies for the annual meeting and occupying the work of promoter the fair, being goodwill ambassador in this fairgrounds.
He combined his work in films and its role as master of ceremonies for the fair until the last years of his life. He died on June 2, 1984 in Los Angeles, California.

Legacy

This is a list of films of Tom Hernández
YearTitleRoleNotes
1938Dead Men Tell No TalesSpanish Bartender
1950Tarzan and the Slave GirlMoloUncredited
1952Yankee BuccaneerGuardUncredited
1953SalomeTownsmanUncredited
1953Trouble Along the WayButlerUncredited
1953SombreroMan in CafeUncredited
1953The Desert SongLegionnaireUncredited
1953Latin LoversNora's Dancing PartnerUncredited
1954Phantom of the Rue MorgueGendarme LaraUncredited
1955The Last CommandAidaUncredited
1956Anything GoesFrenchmanUncredited
1956SantiagoSoldierUncredited
1957El reflejo del alma
1958Party GirlSketch Artist, Canetto TrialUncredited
1959Holiday for LoversPortrait PainterUncredited
1959It Started with a KissMinor RoleUncredited
1960The 3rd VoiceDesk´s Clerk
1961The ComancherosCroupierUncredited
1962Four Horsemen of the ApocalypseHeadwaiterUncredited
1962Tender Is the NightNoblemanUncredited
1963Fun in AcapulcoPhotographerUncredited
1965Choque de Sentimentos
1972Trouble ManPolice Sergeant
1974La dynamite est bonne à boire
1979Black Jack
1980Fuerza mortal Simpson
1980Cuatro locos buscan manicomioGerente
1981Asalto al casino
1981Homo hominis opus IDictatorShort,
1982Othelloblack command - as Fergusson
1984Tunka, el guerrerogreat sage

TV series

This is a list of television series in which he has appeared.
YearTitleRoleepisodes
1951The Adventures of Kit CarsonTom HernándezA Ticket to Mexico
1955Letter to LorettaAngeloThe Waiting Game
1955Death Valley DaysTonyThe Valencia Cake
1955My Little MargieHernandoPapa and Mambo
1956CheyenneRamónFury at Rio Hondo
1957State TrooperPepe SotoBeef ala Murder
1959Zorrochapters in 1957
1959LaramieMontero RíosThe Run to Tumavaca
1959Wagon TrainDennyThe Stagecoach Story
1960Bourbon Street BeatVictorLast Exit
1961'Carloswitch woman
1962'Babes in Wall Street
1962The VirginianThe Spanish OfficerRiff-Raff
1966The Desk SergeantWheels
1969Daniel BooneSurgeonThe Grand Alliance
1969Family AffairCaptainLost in Spain, Part 3