- Marcello Hernández, an SNL cast member and John Carroll University alum, releases his first Netflix special Jan. 7.
- The Miami native began stand-up in Cleveland clubs and poetry slams while at John Carroll.
- His breakout SNL bit “Domingo” helped raise his profile; he also launched a scholarship at his alma mater.
Marcello Hernández’s Netflix special: American Boy lands Jan. 7
Marcello Hernández — who joined Saturday Night Live in 2022 — announced on Instagram that his debut Netflix special, American Boy, will premiere Jan. 7. In the post he thanked the Cleveland comedy scene where he got his start: “I started comedy at 18 in Cleveland, Ohio at dive bars, small clubs, and poetry slam rooms. 10 years later, stand up has given me everything.”
Instagram post: https://www.instagram.com/p/DSAbh0oEZKV/
From John Carroll soccer player to Cleveland stand-up
A Miami native, Hernández played soccer at John Carroll University in University Heights, Ohio, and graduated in 2019. While on campus he hosted shows, performed at local open mics across Cleveland and interned at Hilarities on East 4th Street — a formative experience that gave him backstage access to established comics.
Hernández has stayed connected to his alma mater: earlier in 2025 he created a scholarship at John Carroll and pledged to mentor one senior each year interested in comedy, entertainment or content creation.
How SNL and the “Domingo” sketch raised his profile
Hernández became the show’s first Gen Z cast member when he joined SNL and quickly connected with audiences. His character Domingo — introduced in an October 2024 sketch hosted by Ariana Grande — became a viral hit. The skit centers on an off-key bridesmaids’ performance that reveals a steamy one-night encounter between the bride and Hernández’s Domingo.
The sketch was replayed and reimagined multiple times on SNL, including the show’s 50th anniversary special, with high-profile performers like Pedro Pascal and Bad Bunny joining as Domingo’s brothers in later versions. The recurring spot turned into one of Hernández’s trademark bits and helped push his stand-up career to wider audiences.
Where to watch
Watch Marcello Hernández’s Instagram announcement here: https://www.instagram.com/p/DSAbh0oEZKV/
Watch an SNL clip featuring Hernández (YouTube): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6ymTaxN4
What to expect from American Boy
Expect a stand-up set that mixes personal stories, cultural observations and the fast-paced comic style Hernández developed in Cleveland’s smaller rooms. The special follows a decade of work that took him from open mics to late-night television and now to a global streaming audience.
Why it matters
The Netflix special marks a milestone for Hernández and highlights the role of regional comedy scenes in launching national careers. For John Carroll students and Cleveland fans, American Boy is a hometown success story made global.
This article includes reporting from Akron Beacon Journal and links to Hernández’s social posts and an SNL clip.
Image Referance: https://www.beaconjournal.com/story/entertainment/2025/12/12/marcello-hernanadez-snl-netflix-special-john-carroll-grad/87703637007/
