Marcello Hernández
Timestamps are as accurate as they can be but may be slightly off. We encourage you to listen to the full context.
Podcast Summary
In this engaging episode of Armchair Expert, Dax Shepard and Monica Padman sit down with Marcelo Hernández, the breakout star from Saturday Night Live known for his viral skits and Netflix comedy special "American Boy." Marcelo shares his remarkable journey from aspiring professional soccer player to comedian, including his unique path through college in Ohio, his pandemic pivot to content creation, and his eventual landing at SNL. (24:00)
- The conversation explores themes of immigrant family dynamics, generational differences in parenting styles, cultural identity, and the power of authenticity in comedy
Speakers
Marcelo Hernández
Marcelo Hernández is a comedian, sketch performer, and actor best known for his work on Saturday Night Live. Born in 1997, he grew up in Miami in a Cuban-Dominican household with his mother, biological father, and stepdad. After initially pursuing professional soccer at a Jesuit college in Ohio, he discovered his passion for stand-up comedy and made the bold decision to leave the soccer team to pursue entertainment full-time, eventually landing his breakthrough role at SNL.
Key Takeaways
Follow Your Passion Even When It Means Leaving Security Behind
Marcelo's decision to quit soccer - something he'd dedicated his entire life to and earned a college scholarship for - to pursue comedy demonstrates the courage required to chase your true calling. (24:15) He describes having to tell his coaches and teammates face-to-face about leaving the team, which was emotionally devastating but necessary for his growth. The key insight is that sometimes you have to disappoint people who believed in you to stay true to yourself. Anyone facing a career pivot should prepare for the emotional difficulty of leaving behind what's safe and familiar, but recognize that staying in the wrong path out of obligation serves no one.
Use Your Background as Your Creative Advantage
Rather than hiding his Cuban-Dominican heritage, Marcelo weaponized it as his comedic superpower. He discovered he could write faster in Spanish and developed characters around his cultural experience, leading to viral content. (53:00) His breakthrough video about using an accent when feeling uncomfortable resonated because it was authentic to his experience. The takeaway is that what makes you different in mainstream culture often makes you valuable in creative industries. Instead of trying to assimilate completely, lean into what makes your perspective unique.
Create Systems to Overcome Creative Blocks
During the pandemic, Marcelo developed a systematic approach to content creation: morning pages, jumping rope, writing with friends, and consistent output. (52:00) He discovered that having his assistant bring up topics while he responded in Spanish helped him access ideas faster than writing in English. This process-oriented approach kept him productive during a mentally challenging time. Creative professionals should experiment with different methods to find what unlocks their best work, whether it's changing languages, environments, or collaborators.
Build Your Network Before You Need It
Sean Patton's advice to visit New York every season and build connections before moving there permanently proved invaluable for Marcelo's career. (36:36) By the time he relocated, he already had a network that led to opportunities and ultimately his SNL audition. This strategic relationship-building approach meant he wasn't starting from zero in a competitive market. Aspiring professionals in any field should identify their target market and begin building authentic relationships well before making major moves.
Diversify Your Income Streams While Building Your Dream Career
Marcelo juggled multiple $200 gigs - writing for YouTube channels, helping a rich guy with stand-up, and creating content - while pursuing his main goal. (56:00) This "quilt" approach provided financial stability without requiring a full-time job that would limit his availability for opportunities. He also leveraged his bilingual skills and cultural knowledge to create content that others couldn't. The lesson is to find ways to monetize your skills in smaller increments rather than relying on one major breakthrough, giving yourself the flexibility to pursue your primary passion.
Statistics & Facts
- Marcelo went from scoring 4-5 goals in his junior year to 20 goals in his senior year after completely changing his training mentality and work ethic. (22:18) This dramatic improvement came from waking up early to work out, controlling his diet, and taking soccer seriously as never before.
- During the pandemic, Marcelo was making $1,100 every two weeks from his telemarketing job selling medications to people 65 and over through Medicare. (50:38) This job kept him financially stable while living with his parents in Miami.
- His fourth viral video on TikTok got millions of views, specifically the one about using an accent when feeling uncomfortable in social situations. (53:58) This breakthrough content piece led to his first paid social media opportunities.
