The Funk of Arsenio Hall

Learn about the life and work of Arsenio Hall, an American comedian, talk show host, and actor.

Introduction

Arsenio Hall is an American actor, comedian, singer, and talk show host. He is best known for his role as seminar leader AJ Johnson in the 1988 film The Secret Life of Arsenio Hall. He also had his own talk show, The Arsenio Hall Show, from 1989 to 1994. In 2014, Hall won the second season of NBC’s Celebrity Apprentice.

Early Life and Career

Arsenio Hall was born on February 12, 1956, in Cleveland, Ohio. His father, Fred, was a Baptist minister, and his mother, Louise, was a homemaker. When he was three years old, his family moved to Warrensville Heights, a suburb of Cleveland. Hall graduated from Warrensville Heights High School in 1973. He then attended Kent State University and graduated with a degree in communications in 1976.

After college, Hall moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in stand-up comedy. He quickly began appearing on such shows as HBO’s The Young Comedians Special (1976) and ABC’s Starsky and Hutch (1975-1979). He also had small roles in films such as Amazon Women on the Moon (1987), Coming to America (1988), Harlem Nights (1989), and The Meteor Man (1993).

In 1989, Hall got his big break when he was chosen to replace Joan Rivers as the host of The Arsenio Hall Show. The late-night talk show became known for its wacky skits and eclectic mix of guests, which ranged from politicians to athletes to actors to musicians. The show helped launch the careers of many up-and-coming comedians, including Dave Chappelle and Margaret Cho. It also popularized the “dog pound” salute—a fist-pumping gesture made by members of the audience whenever they agreed with something Hall said or did.

The Arsenio Hall Show ran for five seasons before being cancelled in 1994. Hall then took some time off from show business to focus on his personal life. He married former model Paulie Pottinger in 1995; the couple had one son before divorcing in 1999.

The Arsenio Hall Show

The Arsenio Hall Show is an American talk show that aired late at night from 1989 to 1994. The show was created and hosted by Arsenio Hall, and featured a mix of celebrity guests, musical performances, and comedy.

The show became popular with young adults and helped to launch the careers of a number of hip-hop and R&B artists, including Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, Queen Latifah, and MC Hammer. It also popularized the “chest bump” greeting, which was often used by guests on the show.

The Arsenio Hall Show won a number of awards during its run, including an Emmy Award for Outstanding Talk Show in 1992. Hall himself was also nominated for several awards, including a People’s Choice Award for Favorite Male Television Performer in 1991.

The show ended in 1994 after Hall decided to leave television to focus on his film career. He made a brief return to talk shows in 2013 with a new show on Fox, but it was cancelled after one season.

Later Work

After leaving The Arsenio Hall Show, Hall found success with his animated show Kid Notorious, which aired on Comedy Central from 2003 until 2004. In 2008, he hosted a talk show on CBS called The Arsenio Hall Show. The show ran for one season before being cancelled.

In 2010, Hall starred in the reality TV show Dancing with the Stars. He was eliminated in the fourth week of the competition. In 2012, he appeared as a contestant on the game show Celebrity Apprentice. He was fired in the sixth week of the competition.

In 2013, Hall hosted a revival of The Arsenio Hall Show. The show ran for one season before being cancelled again.

Since 2014, Hall has appeared in several movies and television shows including Ladies Man: A Made Movie (2014), Halloween: Resurrection (2002), Star Search (2003), and Two Can Play That Game (2011).

Personal Life

Arsenio Hall was born in Cleveland, Ohio, on February 12, 1956, the son of Fred and Anne Hall. His father is a Baptist minister. When Hall was young, his family moved to the city’s east side. He attended John Adams High School and graduated in 1974. In 1996, he married wife Cherry Smith and they have one child together.

After high school graduation, he attended Kent State University (KSU) and earned a bachelor’s degree in communications in 1977. While at KSU he became a brother of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity. He then worked as a radio personality at WDMT-FM in Cleveland. From 1978 to 1980, he provided voice-over for the shows like The Young Black Stallion and Hey Landlord for Hanna-Barbera Productions in Los Angeles.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Arsenio Hall was a very successful talk show host who enjoyed a long and successful career. He was known for his outgoing personality and his ability to connect with his audience. He will be missed by many.