Arsenio Hall | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Hall in July 2012 | |
| Born | (1956-02-12)February 12, 1956 (age 69) Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. |
| Alma mater | Kent State University |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1981–present[1][2] |
| Partner | Cheryl Bonacci (1987–2002)[3] |
| Children | 1 |
| Website | arseniohall |
Arsenio Hall (born February 12, 1956) is an American comedian, actor and talk show host. He hosted alate-night talk show,The Arsenio Hall Show,[4] from 1989 until 1994, and again from 2013 to 2014.
He has appeared inMartial Law,Coming to America (1988),Coming 2 America (2021), andHarlem Nights (1989). He was also the host ofStar Search and appeared asAlan Thicke'ssidekick on the talk showThicke of the Night.
In 2012, he wonNBC's reality-competition game showThe Celebrity Apprentice 5.[5]
Hall was born inCleveland, Ohio, the son of Fred and Annie Hall. His father is aBaptist minister.[6] Hall performed as a magician when he was a child. He graduated fromWarrensville Heights High School inWarrensville Heights, Ohio, in 1973, after briefly attendingJohn F. Kennedy High School. He later attendedOhio University[7] andKent State University.[8]
Hall later moved to Chicago, and then Los Angeles, to pursue a career in comedy, making a couple of appearances onSoul Train. In 1984, he was the announcer/sidekick forAlan Thicke during the short-lived talk showThicke of the Night (a role for which he has on occasion noted his confusion withMonty Hall).
He appeared on five weeks of episodes of the short-livedNBCgame showMatch Game-Hollywood Squares Hour from 1983 to 1984. He was also the original voice ofWinston Zeddemore in the animated seriesThe Real Ghostbusters from 1986 to 1987. In 1988, he co-starred in the comedy filmComing to America withEddie Murphy. During his career, he set up Arsenio Hall Communications in 1987, and then he had signed a two-year, multi-picture agreement withParamount Pictures to develop films for an exclusive agreement.[9]
In 1986, theFox network introducedThe Late Show Starring Joan Rivers, created to directly challengeThe Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. After a moderate start, ratings for the show sagged. Relations between Rivers and network executives at Fox quickly eroded, and she left in 1987.[10] The series was subsequently renamedThe Late Show, and featured several interim hosts, includingRoss Shafer,Suzanne Somers,Shawn Thompson,Richard Belzer andRobert Townsend, before it was canceled in 1988. Hall was also chosen to host the show in the fall of 1987, and his stint proved immensely popular, leading to his being offered his own show in syndication.[11]
From January 2, 1989, to May 27, 1994, he had aParamount contract to host a nationwidesyndicated late-night talk show,The Arsenio Hall Show. It was a breakout success, rating especially high among the coveted younger demographic, and it was known for its audience's distinctive alternative to applause in chanting, "Woof, woof, woof!" (which originated in theCleveland Browns'Dawg Pound in the east end zone) while pumping their fists. The practice soon became such a ritual that by 1991 it had become a "pop culture stamp of approval"—one that Hall said had become "so popular it's getting on people's nerves".[12] The gesture was so well known that it appeared in films such asPretty Woman andThe Hard Way.[12]
He also had a rivalry withJay Leno after the latter was named host ofThe Tonight Show, during which Hall said that he would "kick Jay's ass" inratings.[13]
Hall was a supporter ofgay rights long before the movement had become overwhelmingly popular and supported in the mainstream,especially in black culture. In the early 1990s, this culminated in an episode ofThe Arsenio Hall Show where Hall was protested by gay rights activists, who criticized that he didn't have any gay guests on the show and that he would occasionally play gay characters; Hall was clearly upset by the accusation, saying he had famously put LGBT celebrities on his show, includingElton John, and had others on who preferred not to publicly advocate their sexual orientation.[14] After passionately stating his points, Hall received overwhelming woof chants of support from his audience. Additionally, Hall used his fame during this period to help fight worldwide prejudice againstHIV/AIDS afterMagic Johnson contracted the virus. Hall and Johnson filmed apublic service announcement about the disease that aired in the early 1990s.[15]
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Between 1988 and 1991, Hall hosted theMTV Video Music Awards.[16] Over the years, he has appeared as a guest on numerous talk shows, in special features, as a voice actor, on game shows and other award shows. SinceThe Arsenio Hall Show ended, Hall had leading roles on television shows such as the short-lived sitcomArsenio (1997) andMartial Law withSammo Hung (1998–2000), and hosted the revival ofStar Search (2003–2004). While hostingStar Search, he popularized thecatchphrase "Hit me with the digits!"
Hall appeared as himself inChappelle's Show in March 2004 (convinced by Swedish comedy director Saman Khadiri) when Chappelle was imagining "what Arsenio is doing right now" in a dinner scene.[17] Hall has guest co-hosted Wednesday evenings onThe Tim Conway Jr. Show onKLSX 97.1 FM radio.[18] He hostedMyNetworkTV's comedic web video showThe World's Funniest Moments andTV One's100 Greatest Black Power Moves.[19] He also appeared onReal Time with Bill Maher in May 2012, in a discussion commemorating the1992 Los Angeles riots.[20]
Hall was considered the host of the syndicated version ofDeal or No Deal and filmed a pilot (there were six taped).[21][22] However, by the time the syndicated series began on September 8, 2008,Howie Mandel was chosen as host.
Hall also appeared regularly onThe Jay Leno Show, and was a guest onLopez Tonight.[23]George Lopez credits Arsenio as the reason he had a late night show; Lopez appeared onThe Arsenio Hall Show more times than any other comedian. Lopez requested Hall be a co-host onLopez Tonight (November 25, 2009) since he regarded Hall as his inspiration and the first "late night party show host".[24][25][26][27] Hall has filled in as guest host for NBC'sAccess Hollywood Live (2011) andCNN's evening talk/interview programPiers Morgan Tonight in 2012.
In 2012, Hall was a contestant on the fifth edition ofThe Celebrity Apprentice, which began airing February 19, 2012.[28] Hall represented his charity, theMagic Johnson Foundation, which is dedicated to advancing economic and social equality by engaging minorities in every aspect of their communities; increasing academic and innovative achievement; and raising HIV/AIDS awareness, treatment and prevention. While Hall clashed withAubrey O'Day, he befriended a majority of the cast.[29][30] On May 20, 2012, in the live season finale, he was chosen as theCelebrity Apprentice winner, being "hired" byDonald Trump over the other celebrity finalist, singerClay Aiken. For winningThe Celebrity Apprentice, Hall won the $250,000 grand prize for his charity, in addition to money for the tasks he and his team performed when he was a team leader.[31][32][33][34]
A revival of Hall's syndicated late-night talk show,The Arsenio Hall Show, premiered September 9, 2013, onTribune owned stations and other networks viaCBS Television Distribution.[35] It was canceled after one season due to low ratings. The last taping aired May 30, 2014.[36]
Arsenio appeared in a bit in the January 2024 Emmys.[37]
In 1997, after being out of the public eye for three years, Hall gave an interview to dispel rumors regarding what had driven him off stage. "I went on the Internet," he said, "and read I was in detox atBetty Ford. I got online under a fake name and typed in, 'I know Arsenio better than anyone else and he's not in detox, you idiots!'"[38]
Hall has one son, born in 1998.[39] Hall says he took time off to raise his son before resumingThe Arsenio Hall Show in 2013.[40] Hall had an interest in returning to the business eventually, but his decision was not confirmed until he appeared onLopez Tonight in 2009 (although he initially considered a weekend show because he did not want to compete inratings against his friend George Lopez).[41]
On May 5, 2016, Hall filed a $5 milliondefamationlawsuit againstSinéad O'Connor after she claimed he had fueledPrince's drug habit and had also spiked his drink at a party atEddie Murphy's house.[42] Hall dropped the lawsuit after O'Connor apologized and retracted her allegations.[43]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Amazon Women on the Moon | Apartment Victim | |
| 1988 | Coming to America | Semmi, Extremely Ugly Girl, Morris, Reverend Brown | |
| 1989 | Harlem Nights | Reggie (The Crying Man) | |
| 1989 | Paula Abdul: Straight Up | Himself | Music video |
| 1994 | Blankman | Himself | |
| 2005 | The Naked Brothers Band: The Movie | Himself | |
| 2005 | The Proud Family Movie | Dr. Carver, Bobby Proud | |
| 2006 | Scooby-Doo! Pirates Ahoy! | Captain Crothers | |
| 2007 | Heckler | Himself | |
| 2008 | Igor | Carl Cristall | |
| 2009 | Black Dynamite | Tasty Freeze | |
| 2017 | Gilbert | Himself | |
| 2017 | Sandy Wexler | Himself | |
| 2021 | Coming 2 America | Semmi, Morris, Reverend Brown, Baba (witch doctor), Extremely Ugly Girl (archival footage) |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Refs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1981, 1989 | Soul Train | Himself | 2 episodes | [44] |
| 1982 | Madame's Place | Himself | ||
| 1982 | Elvira's Movie Macabre | Dr. Mustapha Abdul Raheem Jamaal X Muhammad, Tyrone | ||
| 1983 | The 1/2 Hour Comedy Hour | Host | [45] | |
| 1983–1984 | Match Game-Hollywood Squares Hour | Celebrity panelist | ||
| 1983–1984 | Thicke of the Night | Actor / Himself (1984) | ||
| 1985 | The Motown Revue Starring Smokey Robinson | Regular | [46] | |
| 1985 | New Love, American Style | Actor | [47] | |
| 1986 | The New Alfred Hitchcock Presents | Cleavon | Episode titledHappy Birthday air date March 23, 1986 | |
| 1986–1987 | The Real Ghostbusters | Winston Zeddemore, Mooglie | seasons 1–3 | |
| 1987 | Uptown Comedy Express | Himself | ||
| 1987 | Comedy Club | Himself | ||
| 1987–1988 | The Late Show | Host | ||
| 1988 | Solid Gold | Himself | ||
| 1989 | Comic Relief III | Himself | ||
| 1989–1994 | The Arsenio Hall Show | Host | Also writer and producer | |
| 1990 | Doogie Howser, M.D. | Himself | ||
| 1990 | Cheers | Himself | ||
| 1992 | Ebony/Jet Showcase | Himself | [48] | |
| 1992 | The Jackie Thomas Show | Himself | Ep. "The Joke" | [49] |
| 1993 | Blossom | Himself | ||
| 1994 | Living Single | Himself | ||
| 1997 | Arsenio | Michael Atwood | [50] | |
| 1997 | Behind the Music | Himself | Ep. "MC Hammer: Behind the Music #2" | [51] |
| 1997 | Muppets Tonight | Guest | Ep. "The Cameo Show" | |
| 1998 | Intimate Portrait | Narrator | ||
| 1998–2000 | Martial Law | Terrell Parker | 36 episodes | |
| 2000 | The Norm Show | Joe | Episode titledNorm vs. the Kid air date December 8, 2000 | |
| 2002–2003 | Hollywood Squares | Celebrity panel | ||
| 2003–2004 | Star Search | Host | ||
| 2003 | Tinseltown TV | Himself | ||
| 2004 | CBS Cares | Himself | PSA | |
| 2008–2009 | The World's Funniest Moments | Host | ||
| 2009–2010 | The Jay Leno Show | Correspondent | ||
| 2009 | Brothers | Himself | ||
| 2012 | The Celebrity Apprentice 5 | Contestant | Winner of competition | |
| 2013–2014 | The Arsenio Hall Show | Host | Also producer | |
| 2015–2016 | Real Husbands of Hollywood | Himself - Guest star | ||
| 2016 | Greatest Hits | Host | [52] | |
| 2017–2018 | The Mayor | Ocho Okoye | Guest; 2 episodes | |
| 2018 | All About the Washingtons | Himself | Guest; 2 episodes | |
| 2025 | Crutch | Avery | Ep. "Community Crutch" |
| Year | Title | Episode | Notes | Refs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996–2008 | Biography | 5 episodes | ||
| 2001 | E! True Hollywood Story | |||
| 2008 | Pioneers of Television (PBS) | |||
| 2012 | American Masters |
| Year | Title | Episode | Notes | Refs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989, 1992 | Live! with Regis and Kathie Lee | Guest | 2 episodes | |
| 1989 | The Phil Donahue Show | Himself | ||
| 1991 | The Howard Stern Show | Guest | ||
| 1996–2012 | The Tonight Show with Jay Leno | Guest | Multiple appearances | |
| 1997 | The Rosie O'Donnell Show | Guest | ||
| 1997 | The Chris Rock Show | Guest | ||
| 1998 | The Magic Hour | Guest | ||
| 2003 | Real Time with Bill Maher | Guest | ||
| 2004 | Tavis Smiley | Guest | ||
| 2004 | The Sharon Osbourne Show | Guest | ||
| 2004 | Chappelle's Show | Guest | ||
| 2004 | The Wayne Brady Show | Guest | ||
| 2009 | Up Close with Carrie Keagan | Guest | ||
| 2009 | Made in Hollywood | Himself | ||
| 2010, 2012 | Late Night with Jimmy Fallon | Alternate Reality Host | 2 episodes | |
| 2010, 2012 | Chelsea Lately | Guest (2010) / Soundtrack (2012) | ||
| 2010 | Tosh.0 | Guest | ||
| 2011 | Lopez Tonight | Guest | ||
| 2011 | Access Hollywood Live | Guest Host | ||
| 2012 | Inside Edition | Himself | ||
| 2012 | The Wendy Williams Show | Himself | ||
| 2012 | Piers Morgan Tonight | Guest Host |
TheNAACP Image Awards are awarded annually by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). Hall has won 3 awards from 4 nominations, as well as an honorary award.
| Year | Award | Nominated work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture | Coming to America | Won |
| 1991 | Key of Life Award | Himself | Honored |
| 1993 | Outstanding Variety – Series or Special | The Arsenio Hall Show | Won |
| 1995 | Outstanding Variety Series | Won | |
| 2014 | Outstanding Talk Series | Nominated |
ThePrimetime Emmy Awards are awarded annually by theAcademy of Television Arts & Sciences. Hall has received 2 nominations.
| Year | Award | Nominated work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Program | The Arsenio Hall Show | Nominated |
| 1990 | Nominated |
| Year | Organization | Award | Nominated work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | American Comedy Award | Funniest Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture | Coming to America | Won |
| 1990 | Funniest Male Performer in a TV Series (Leading Role) Network, Cable or Syndication | The Arsenio Hall Show | Nominated | |
| People's Choice Award | Favorite Late Night Talk Show Host | Won | ||
| Soul Train Award | Sammy Davis Jr. Award for Entertainer of the Year | Himself | Honored | |
| Hollywood Walk of Fame | Star at 6776 Hollywood Blvd. | Inducted | ||
| 1992 | Central State University | HonoraryDoctor of Humane Letters degree[53] | Honored | |
| 1993 | GMA Dove Award | Outstanding Mainstream Contribution Award | Honored | |
| 2014 | People's Choice Award | Favorite New Talk Show Host | The Arsenio Hall Show | Nominated |
| International | |
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| National | |
| Artists | |
| Other | |
