Domingo Tomás "Tom" Hernández Bethencourt (October 9, 1915 - June 2,
1984), better known as Tom Hernández (or Tommy Hernandez), 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
(1960), and in the Spanish films "Fuerza Mortal" (1980) and "Tunka, el
guerrero" (1983). However, he is best remembered by his interpretation
of Don Diego character at the San Diego's fair (California) 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!" ("Welcome Friends!"), 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 (2012
film).Hernández was born on October 9, 1915, in Puerto de la Cruz,
Tenerife (Canary Islands, Spain), 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 (who was born in the U.S., twelve years after his
arrival there), 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 (1950), and during the '50s was common to see him at
many American films and some episodes of some American TV series,
playing supporting roles.
1984), better known as Tom Hernández (or Tommy Hernandez), 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
(1960), and in the Spanish films "Fuerza Mortal" (1980) and "Tunka, el
guerrero" (1983). However, he is best remembered by his interpretation
of Don Diego character at the San Diego's fair (California) 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!" ("Welcome Friends!"), 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 (2012
film).Hernández was born on October 9, 1915, in Puerto de la Cruz,
Tenerife (Canary Islands, Spain), 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 (who was born in the U.S., twelve years after his
arrival there), 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 (1950), and during the '50s was common to see him at
many American films and some episodes of some American TV series,
playing supporting roles.
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