Saturday Night Live cast member Marcello Hernandez is establishing a scholarship at his alma mater and is preparing for his first standup comedy special for Netflix.
Hernandez, a 2019 graduate of John Carroll University in University Heights, Ohio, made a donation to create the Bo & Tom – Marcello A. Hernandez ’19 Scholarship. The fund aims to support a senior student pursuing a career in comedy, entertainment, or content creation. John Carroll University news release indicated Hernandez will provide mentorship to the selected student.
Junior students planning to graduate in 2026 are eligible to apply for the scholarship. Applications must include a statement outlining career goals and a video introduction. The deadline for submissions is Friday, May 16.
The scholarship is named in honor of two professors, Bo Smith and Tom Roche, who Hernandez credits with influencing his development in acting and business during his time at the university.
"I had a lot of great professors at John Carroll and Bo and Tom were an amazing tandem that made a huge impact on my career," Marcello said. "I am eternally grateful for their guidance and mentorship and I am so proud to create this fund in their names so that their collective legacy lives on for generations."
In addition to the scholarship, Hernandez is working on a new standup comedy special for Netflix. According to a Rolling Stone profile, he performed shows in March to develop material for the special.
This project marks Hernandez's first standup special. He has maintained an active standup career since 2019.
He joined Saturday Night Live in 2022 and has become known for characters such as Domingo and his appearances on Weekend Update.
Details regarding the Netflix special are limited, but it is expected to debut on the streaming platform later in 2025. Reports suggest the material draws from his upbringing.
Alan R. Miciak, Ph.D., president of John Carroll University, commented on the new fund. “His talent on stage and in front of the camera is matched only by his generosity in mentoring the next generation of entertainers and leaders. His perspective, work ethic, and real-world experience will benefit each recipient of the Bo & Tom - Marcello A. Hernandez ‘19 Scholarship.”
