April Lee Hernandez (born January 31, 1980) is an American film and television actress. She has also been credited as April L. Hernandez and April Hernandez-Castillo. Personal life Hernandez grew up near the Grand Concourse in The Bronx. She is of Puerto Rican descent and has described herself as a "strong Latina." Hernandez studied nutrition at Hunter College, but dropped out to pursue a comedy career after being inspired by John Leguizamo's off-Broadway production Mambo Mouth. Hernandez is married to Jose Castillo. The couple have a daughter named Summer Rose, who is best known for playing Alma Rivera from Alma's Way. Summer was born on September 30, 2012. Acting career Television Aside from performing stand-up comedy, she has also appeared in several commercials, as well as on the television series ER, Law & Order, and 30 Rock. In June 2010 she was cast for the American cult series Dexter. She appeared in the television series Person of Interest episode "Legacy", which aired on January 18, 2012, in which she played an attorney who had turned her life around after a checkered childhood. Movie She is known for her role in the 2007 drama Freedom Writers, in which she played Eva, based on real-life high school student Maria Reyes. Hernandez has said that she was "determined" to be cast in Freedom Writers. She admires Jennifer Lopez, and has stated that Lopez "opened the door for me so that I don't have to take certain roles" as a Hispanic-American actress. Filmography Film Television References External links DTM Magazine article 1980 births Actresses from New York City American film actresses American actresses of Puerto Rican descent American stand-up comedians American television actresses Hunter College alumni Living people People from the Bronx American women comedians Comedians from New York City 21st-century American comedians 21st-century American actresses Converts to Protestantism from Roman Catholicism