Arsenio Hall facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Arsenio Hall
Hall in July 2012
Born	(1956-02-12) February 12, 1956 (age 69) Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
Alma mater	Kent State University
Occupation	Comedian actor talk show host
Years active	1981–present
Partner(s)	Cheryl Bonacci (1987–2002)
Children	1

Arsenio Hall, born on February 12, 1956, is a well-known American comedian, actor, and talk show host. He became famous for hosting his own late-night talk show, The Arsenio Hall Show, which ran from 1989 to 1994. He brought the show back for another season from 2013 to 2014.

He has also acted in popular movies like Coming to America (1988) and its sequel Coming 2 America (2021), as well as Harlem Nights (1989). On television, he was a host for Star Search and worked alongside Alan Thicke on Thicke of the Night. In 2012, Arsenio Hall won the reality TV competition Celebrity Apprentice 5.

Early Life and Education

Arsenio Hall was born in Cleveland, Ohio. His father was a Baptist minister. When he was a child, Arsenio enjoyed performing magic tricks. He finished high school in Warrensville Heights, Ohio, in 1973. Later, he studied at Ohio University and Kent State University.

Arsenio Hall's Career Journey

After college, Arsenio Hall moved to Chicago and then to Los Angeles to start his career in comedy. He made early appearances on the TV show Soul Train. In 1984, he worked as an announcer and sidekick for Alan Thicke on the talk show Thicke of the Night.

He also appeared on the game show Match Game-Hollywood Squares Hour in the mid-1980s. From 1986 to 1987, he was the original voice of Winston Zeddemore in the cartoon series The Real Ghostbusters. In 1988, he starred with Eddie Murphy in the comedy film Coming to America. Around this time, he also started his own company, Arsenio Hall Communications, to develop films.

Hosting Talk Shows

In 1987, Arsenio Hall became a guest host for The Late Show on the Fox network. His time as host was very popular, which led to him getting his own show.

On January 2, 1989, The Arsenio Hall Show began. It was a huge success, especially with younger audiences. The show was known for its unique audience chant, "Woof, woof, woof!", where people would pump their fists. This chant became a popular sign of approval in pop culture.

Supporting Important Causes

Arsenio Hall used his show to support important causes. He was a strong supporter of equal rights for all people, even before it was widely popular. In the early 1990s, he had discussions on his show about these topics, featuring many famous guests. He also worked with Magic Johnson to create a public service announcement about a serious illness, helping to raise awareness and fight prejudice.

Other TV and Radio Work

Hall at the 1989 Emmy Awards

Between 1988 and 1991, Arsenio Hall hosted the MTV Video Music Awards. He has been a guest on many talk shows and appeared in special TV features. After The Arsenio Hall Show ended its first run, he had roles in TV shows like Arsenio (1997) and Martial Law (1998–2000). He also hosted the new version of Star Search from 2003 to 2004, where he made the phrase "Hit me with the digits!" famous.

Hall appeared as himself on Chappelle's Show in 2004. He also guest co-hosted a radio show, The Tim Conway Jr. Show. He hosted The World's Funniest Moments and 100 Greatest Black Power Moves. In 2012, he was a guest on Real Time with Bill Maher to discuss the 1992 Los Angeles riots.

He was considered to host the syndicated version of Deal or No Deal, but Howie Mandel was chosen instead. Hall also appeared regularly on The Jay Leno Show and was a guest on Lopez Tonight. George Lopez has said that Arsenio Hall inspired him to have his own late-night show.

In 2012, Arsenio Hall competed on The Celebrity Apprentice 5. He played for the Magic Johnson Foundation, a charity that helps people in communities and raises awareness about serious illnesses. Arsenio Hall won the competition on May 20, 2012, and was "hired" by Donald Trump. He won $250,000 for his charity, plus more money from tasks he led.

A new version of The Arsenio Hall Show started on September 9, 2013. However, it was canceled after one season, with the last show airing on May 30, 2014. Arsenio also made a brief appearance at the Emmys in January 2024.

Personal Life

In 1997, after taking a break from the public eye, Arsenio Hall gave an interview to clear up rumors about why he had stepped away. He said he saw false information about himself online and even tried to correct it anonymously.

Arsenio Hall has one son, who was born in 1998. He decided to take time off from his career to raise his son before returning to host The Arsenio Hall Show in 2013. He had always thought about returning to entertainment, but his decision was confirmed after appearing on Lopez Tonight in 2009.

In 2016, Hall had a disagreement with singer Sinéad O'Connor, which was later resolved when she apologized and took back her statements.

Awards and Recognition

• 1988 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture (for Coming to America)
• 1989 American Comedy Award for Funniest Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture (for Coming to America)
• In 1992, he received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio.

Film Appearances

Television Appearances

Music Albums

As "Chunky A"

• Large and in Charge (1989)

See also

In Spanish: Arsenio Hall para niños