Who is Marcello Hernández’s mom? Parents and all we know as comedian trends online over Bad Bunny SNL sketch

Marcello Hernández is trending online over the Bad Bunny Saturday Night Live (SNL) sketch from the Season 51 episode that aired on October 4, 2025.

The trend comes following Hernández’s multiple sketches with host Bad Bunny. One of which included a humorous take on the development of the Spanish language set in medieval Spain. It included a surprise cameo by Benicio del Toro.

The SNL star often references his Cuban mother, Isabel Cancela, during his sketches for a comical effect. His relationship with his mother has been the inspiration behind the popular “Protective Mom” sketches, in which actor Pedro Pascal portrayed his mother.

Marcello Hernández’s recent sketch has sparked an interest in the life of his parents, particularly his mother. According to a report by South China Morning Post, she is originally from Cuba, who fled the country at the age of 12.

Continue reading for more details.

All about Marcello Hernández’s parents

Marcello Hernández's parents are Isabel Cancela and Jose Cancela. He has often spoken about his mother’s opinion on his SNL sketches. According to Hola! magazine, during an appearance on The Today Show, he shared how she felt about Pedro Pascal playing his mother in a sketch. He said:

“How does she feel about Pedro Pascal playing your mom twice? She has a great sense of humor, thank God. She loves Pedro. She’s a big TV watcher, so she knows about all these people. That’s not what my mom looks like at all. The attitude was there. Pedro did such a good job.”

In another interview with Variety, Marcello Hernández said that his jokes draw inspiration from the relationship he shares with his mom. He said:

“[Mum] went through a lot to get to the US and to make a name and a world for herself, so I respect her very much and I trust her judgment.”

His father is a private figure and is from the Dominican Republic. He shared during his Just For Laughs set that his parents scolded him when he complained. He said:

“I have a Cuban mom that escaped communism. The only reason I know that is because she told me every morning. For me, it's 'Good morning Marcello, have a great day, but just remember ... I free you.'”

According to People Magazine, on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, Marcello Hernández shared that his parents have “different levels of English.” He said that his mother has much better English than his father. He joked:

“One day at dinner, she asked me, she looks at me and she goes, 'Marcello, what's the difference between a b*tt dial and a b**ty call?' I was like, 'Wow that is an amazing question. Touché, my queen. I don't know.'”

Trending

Isabel has joined her son at several red carpet events. She was seen with Marcello at the NFL Super Bowl last year and also in a T-Mobile advert in October 2024.

Meanwhile, not much is known about his father as he avoids the public limelight.

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