Tom Hernández (born in October 9, 1915 in Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerife (Canary Islands, Spain) - died in June 2, 1984, Los Angeles, California) was a Spanish born - American raised actor whose characters were always secondary. He also player to character Don Diego at the annual fair Del Mar Fair in San Diego (California) during almost of four decades until his death in 1984, being more known by the people that passed by the fair by his greeting in Spanish "¡Bienvenidos, Amigos!" ("Welcome Friends!"). So, he held the position of goodwill ambassador, promoting the fair.^[1] His younger brother Pepe Hern was also an actor.

Biography[link]

He was born Domingo Tomás Hernández Bethencourt in October 9, 1915 in Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerife (Canary Islands, Spain).^[2] In 1920, Hernandez immigrated with his parent and a eldest brother to the United States when he was five. He also had a little brother who has been born in the U.S., the actor Pepe Hern. After extensive theater training in this country, he can start ​​his career to Hollywood.^[3] His characters were usually of little importance in the movies in which they appeared. However, he had important roles in the Spanish films El reflejo del alma, Cuatro locos buscan manicomio, Fuerza mortal and Tunka, el guerrero.

Addition, since the 1947 year, Hernández start to interpret the character Don Diego at the annual fair Del Mar Fair in San Diego (California), appearing as master of ceremonies for the annual meeting ^[4] and occupying the work of promoter the fair, being goodwill ambassador in this fairgrounds.^[1] In the beauty contest of the fair Hernández met to a girl named Raquel Tejada, that more late would the actress Raquel Welch. She was a of the contestants of this contest.^[5] He combined film, television and its role as master of ceremonies for the fair until the last years of his life. He died in June 2, 1984 in Los Angeles, California.^[2]

Legacy[link]

• On the death of Hernandez, the council of Del Mar Fair decided expose a bronze statue of 16 feet dedicated to Hernández as Don Diego, created by artist Maher Morcos, at the entrance to the fair. The statue was presented in 1985.^[1]
• In honor to him was created also The Don Diego Fund in 1986, a nonprofit scholarship program of the San Diego County Fair to economically help to the outstanding San Diego County high school students who have participated in the annual San Diego County Fair or other events concluded by the Del Mar Fairgrounds. Thus, this fund has delivered over $556,000 in scholarships and grants along its trajectory and has helped more than 130 students achieve a college degree. The Don Diego Fund is also a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization.^[6]

Trivia[link]

• The character "Don Diego" was based on the landowner Don Diego Alvarado, owner of a great land in what is now Del Mar, in 1800 year.^[4]

Filmography[link]

This is a list of films of Tom Hernández^[7]

TV series[link]

This is a list of television series in which he has appeared.^[7]

References[link]