While Saturday Night Live is on hiatus for the summer, Marcello Hernandez isn't taking much time off. The SNL star has continued to raise his profile outside of Studio 8H through movies, commercials, and more, further cementing his status as one of the most in-demand personalities to emerge from the current SNL cast. Now, he's adding another major television assignment to an already busy offseason.
The Saturday Night Live star has been tapped to host the 2026 ESPY Awards, set for July 15 in New York City. The announcement marks another major milestone for Hernandez, whose popularity has exploded over the few seasons and whose profile continues to expand well beyond SNL.
In a statement announcing the gig, Hernández reflected on how far he has come since his early days as a stand-up comedian:
"I started doing comedy 10 years ago, in Cleveland, Ohio, and I would take the train 12 hours to New York to sell comedy tickets on the street in Greenwich Village in exchange for stage time," Hernández said. "It is an honor, and frankly feels crazy to be hosting the ESPYS this year in New York. I'm sure the energy is going to be great."Marcello Hernandez (via ESPN)
The hosting job is the latest sign that Hernandez has become one of the most valuable and recognizable stars for not just Saturday Night Live, but NBC, too. While his day job remains Saturday Night Live, the actor has increasingly popped up across major projects and promotional campaigns.
Most recently, Hernandez has become a prominent voice for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He has appeared in Peacock and Telemundo advertising campaigns aimed at Spanish-speaking audiences, helping NBC build excitement for one of the biggest sporting events in its history. He also narrated U.S. Soccer's Never Chase Reality campaign and previously emceed the 2024 Major League Baseball Home Run Derby.
These jobs also coincide with an increased film presence for Hernandez. After a role in last year's Happy Gilmore 2, he co-stars with Kevin Hart in the upcoming comedy 72 Hours, and then has voice roles in The Angry Birds Movie 3 and Shrek 5.
So for ESPN, Hernandez has demonstrated an ability to connect with sports fans while also appealing to younger viewers and audiences who may not traditionally tune in to awards shows. It also speaks to his growing status within Saturday Night Live. While SNL has featured numerous breakout stars in recent years, like Ashley Padilla, Hernandez has arguably become the show's most recognizable current cast member.
Hernandez will now join an impressive list of late-night and comedy figures who have previously hosted the event, including Saturday Night Live alumni Dennis Miller, Norm Macdonald, Rob Riggle, Seth Meyers, and Tracy Morgan, as well as late-night star Jimmy Kimmel. Like many of those hosts, Hernandez arrives with experience delivering jokes to live audiences and navigating unpredictable moments on stage.
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