Marcello Hernández Reflects on Former 'Sales Job' FollowingSNLPromotion: 'Really Mind-Blowing' (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Marcello Hernandez attends the 75th Writers Guild Awards Ceremony at Edison Ballroom on March 05, 2023.Photo:Dia Dipasupil/Getty

Dia Dipasupil/Getty

Life has changed in almost innumerable ways forMarcello Hernándezsince he joined the cast ofSaturday Night Livein 2022.The 27-year-old comedian “used to sell tickets on the street” for his stand-up sets, he tells PEOPLE, and now, he calls stars and cultural icons likePedro PascalandBad Bunnyhis friends.“I used to have a headset sales job and was doing comedy in very small venues and for very little people,” he says. “All this is really just a blessing. And it’s not lost on me.“A Miami native of Cuban and Dominican heritage, the opportunities Hernández has been offered feel extra pinch-me at times.“All of it is really mind-blowing,” he says of the chance to highlight his family’s experiences on such historic stages. “It means a lot to me. I wish my grandmother could see some of it.“SNL’s Marcello Hernández Swaps Comedy for Bartending, Serving Up Buchanan’s Cocktails at the Opening of Café Colmado in NYC.José “Tutes” TutivénThere’s perhaps no better example of just how pinch-me life is getting thanthe “Protective Mom” sketch Hernández and Pedro Pascal did onSNLlast year, which they then revisited in October 2023when Bad Bunny hosted the show.“It changed my life in a lot of ways that sketch, and how it picked up on social media. It’s definitely like a before and after [photo],” he says.“Meeting Benito was also really cool, to be close to somebody that’s that at his level,” Hernández continues of the Puerto Rican singer, 30. “I think that associating myself with them was a really big moment, and to bring a sketch back, it was a big moment.“Bad Bunny as Tia, Pedro Pascal as Mama, Marcello Hernandez, and Chloe Troast during the “Protective Mom 2” sketch on Saturday, October 21, 2023.Will Heath/NBC via GettyHernández brings visibility to key parts of his Latino heritage weekly onSNL, and this Hispanic Heritage Month, he’s partnered withBuchanan’s Scotch Whiskyto launch the #ComoLoDigas campaign as a means of celebrating his own identity as a 200%er — and the brand’s 200%er consumer base.“There’s a lot of 200%ers out there,” Hernández says, himself included. “I’m 100% American, but also 100% Latino, and I like to represent.“As a big fan of whisky in general, the partnership is a perfect fit. “I remember seeing [Buchanan’s] a lot when I was growing up at parties…. I think just highlighting people like myself who are American and also feel very connected to their family and their [Latino] roots is important.“SNL’s Marcello Hernández celebrates Latinos’ use of Language with Buchanan’s Whisky at Café Colmado in NYC’s ‘Loisaida’.José “Tutes” TutivénNever miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.This Hispanic Heritage Month,Buchanan’s Scotch Whiskyis partnering withSNLCast Member and 200%er Marcello Hernandez to launch the #ComoLoDigas campaign, to celebrate and display the many ways that our 200% fans pronounce (and enjoy) Buchanan’s and show that what may differentiate Latinos in language unites them in community.Saturday Night Liveairs Saturdays at 11:30 p.m. ET on NBC.

Life has changed in almost innumerable ways forMarcello Hernándezsince he joined the cast ofSaturday Night Livein 2022.

The 27-year-old comedian “used to sell tickets on the street” for his stand-up sets, he tells PEOPLE, and now, he calls stars and cultural icons likePedro PascalandBad Bunnyhis friends.

“I used to have a headset sales job and was doing comedy in very small venues and for very little people,” he says. “All this is really just a blessing. And it’s not lost on me.”

A Miami native of Cuban and Dominican heritage, the opportunities Hernández has been offered feel extra pinch-me at times.

“All of it is really mind-blowing,” he says of the chance to highlight his family’s experiences on such historic stages. “It means a lot to me. I wish my grandmother could see some of it.”

SNL’s Marcello Hernández Swaps Comedy for Bartending, Serving Up Buchanan’s Cocktails at the Opening of Café Colmado in NYC.José “Tutes” Tutivén

José “Tutes” Tutivén

There’s perhaps no better example of just how pinch-me life is getting thanthe “Protective Mom” sketch Hernández and Pedro Pascal did onSNLlast year, which they then revisited in October 2023when Bad Bunny hosted the show.

“It changed my life in a lot of ways that sketch, and how it picked up on social media. It’s definitely like a before and after [photo],” he says.

“Meeting Benito was also really cool, to be close to somebody that’s that at his level,” Hernández continues of the Puerto Rican singer, 30. “I think that associating myself with them was a really big moment, and to bring a sketch back, it was a big moment.”

Bad Bunny as Tia, Pedro Pascal as Mama, Marcello Hernandez, and Chloe Troast during the “Protective Mom 2” sketch on Saturday, October 21, 2023.Will Heath/NBC via Getty

Will Heath/NBC via Getty

Hernández brings visibility to key parts of his Latino heritage weekly onSNL, and this Hispanic Heritage Month, he’s partnered withBuchanan’s Scotch Whiskyto launch the #ComoLoDigas campaign as a means of celebrating his own identity as a 200%er — and the brand’s 200%er consumer base.

“There’s a lot of 200%ers out there,” Hernández says, himself included. “I’m 100% American, but also 100% Latino, and I like to represent.”

As a big fan of whisky in general, the partnership is a perfect fit. “I remember seeing [Buchanan’s] a lot when I was growing up at parties…. I think just highlighting people like myself who are American and also feel very connected to their family and their [Latino] roots is important.”

SNL’s Marcello Hernández celebrates Latinos’ use of Language with Buchanan’s Whisky at Café Colmado in NYC’s ‘Loisaida’.José “Tutes” Tutivén

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

This Hispanic Heritage Month,Buchanan’s Scotch Whiskyis partnering withSNLCast Member and 200%er Marcello Hernandez to launch the #ComoLoDigas campaign, to celebrate and display the many ways that our 200% fans pronounce (and enjoy) Buchanan’s and show that what may differentiate Latinos in language unites them in community.

Saturday Night Liveairs Saturdays at 11:30 p.m. ET on NBC.

source: people.com