Noé Hernández Álvarez was born on November 10, 1969 in Atitalaquía, Hidalgo, the son of peasant parents. He studied Dramatic Arts at the Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México. He was about to enroll to become a lawyer, but changed his mind at the last minute after flipping through the school brochure since he used to act in theatrical production while in high school. After graduating in 1994, he became a high school teacher for seven years in Toluca and at the same time founded an experimental theater group, then moved to Mexico City as he wanted to act in films.

Hernandez spent three years attending three or four casting calls a week, until he signed a contract to do a commercial and then a small role in the film Propiedad Ajena in 2007. The following year, she had her first supporting role in the film Espiral (2008) and then a 40-second role in the film Sin Nombre, directed by Cary Fukunaga. He then appeared in supporting roles in the films Vaho (2010), Somos Lo Que Hay(2010) and El Infierno (2010). During the filming of Sin Nombre, Hernández met filmmaker Gerardo Naranjo, who years later offered her the leading role in Miss Bala,45 which was written by Naranjo and Mauricio Katz, the film is about a beauty pageant contestant, played by Stephanie Sigman. In 2024 he won the Ariel Award for Best Actor for his role in Kokoloko.