Arsenio Hall

American actor, comedian and television hostTemplate:SHORTDESC:American actor, comedian and television host[[Category:**Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Pagetype/config' not found.**s with short description]]
Template:Use mdy dates

* comedian
* talk show host
* writer

**Arsenio Hall** (born February 12, 1956) is an American actor, comedian, talk show host, writer and producer. He is best known for hosting *The Arsenio Hall Show*, a late-night talk show that ran from 1989 until 1994, and again from 2013 to 2014.

Other television shows and films Hall has appeared in are *Martial Law*, *Star Search* (host), *Coming to America* (1988), and *Harlem Nights* (1989). Hall is also known for his appearance as Alan Thicke's sidekick on the talk show *Thicke of the Night*.

In 2012, Hall won NBC's reality-competition game show *Celebrity Apprentice 5*.

## Early years

Hall was born in Cleveland, Ohio, the son of Fred and Annie Hall. His father is a Baptist minister. Hall performed as a magician when he was a child. He graduated from Warrensville Heights High School in Warrensville Heights, Ohio, in 1973, after he briefly attended John F. Kennedy High School. He later attended college at Kent State University.

## Career

Hall later moved to Chicago, and then Los Angeles, to pursue a career in comedy, making a couple of appearances on *Soul Train*. In 1984, he was the announcer/sidekick for Alan Thicke during the short-lived talk show *Thicke of the Night* (a role for which he has on occasion noted his confusion with Monty Hall).

Hall appeared on five weeks' worth of episodes of the short-lived NBC game show *Match Game-Hollywood Squares Hour* from 1983 to 1984.

He was also the original voice of Winston Zeddemore in the cartoon *The Real Ghostbusters* from 1986 to 1987. In 1988, he co-starred in the comedy film *Coming to America* with Eddie Murphy.

### Talk shows

In 1986, the Fox network introduced *The Late Show Starring Joan Rivers*, created to directly challenge *The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson*. After a moderate start, ratings for the show sagged. Behind-the-scenes relations between Rivers and network executives at Fox quickly eroded, and Rivers left in 1987. The series was subsequently renamed *The Late Show*, and featured several interim hosts, including Ross Shafer, Suzanne Somers, Shawn Thompson, Richard Belzer and Robert Townsend before it was canceled in 1988. Hall was also chosen to host the show in the fall of 1987, and his stint proved to be immensely popular, developing a cult following which eventually led to Hall landing his own show in syndication.

From January 2, 1989, until May 27, 1994, he had a Paramount contract to host a nationwide syndicated late night talk show, *The Arsenio Hall Show*. The show became a breakout, late-night success, especially rating high among the coveted younger demographic and known for its audience's distinctive alternative to applause in chanting, "Roo, Roo, Roo! (The Cleveland 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." The gesture was so well known that it appeared in films such as *Pretty Woman*, *Passenger 57*, *Aladdin*, and *The Hard Way*.

He also had a rivalry with Jay Leno after the latter was named host of *The Tonight Show*, during which Hall said that he would "kick Jay's ass" in ratings.

Hall used his fame during this period to help fight worldwide prejudice against HIV/AIDS after Magic Johnson contracted the virus. Hall and Johnson filmed a PSA about the disease that aired in the early 1990s.

### Other television and radio work

Between 1988 and 1991, Hall hosted the MTV Video Music Awards. 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. Since *The Arsenio Hall Show* ended, Hall had a leading role on television shows such as the short-lived sitcom *Arsenio* (1997) and *Martial Law* with Sammo Hung (1998–2000), as well as hosted the revival of *Star Search* (2003–2004). While hosting *Star Search*, he popularized the catchphrase "Hit me with the digits!".

Hall appeared as himself in *Chappelle's Show* in March 2004, (convinced by the Swedish comedy director Saman Khadiri), when Chappelle was imagining "what Arsenio is doing right now" in a dinner scene. Hall has guest co-hosted Wednesday evenings on *The Tim Conway Jr. Show* on KLSX 97.1 FM radio. Hall also hosted MyNetworkTV's comedic web video show *The World's Funniest Moments* and TV One's *100 Greatest Black Power Moves*. Hall also appeared on *Real Time with Bill Maher* in May 2012, in a discussion commemorating the 1992 Los Angeles riots.

Hall was considered to be the host of the syndicated version of *Deal or No Deal* and filmed a pilot (there were six taped). However, by the time the syndicated series began on September 8, 2008, Howie Mandel was chosen as the host.

He also appeared regularly on *The Jay Leno Show*, and was a guest on *Lopez Tonight*. George Lopez credits Arsenio for being the reason he had a late night show; Lopez appeared on *The Arsenio Hall Show* more times than any other comedian. Lopez requested Hall be a co-host on *Lopez Tonight* (November 25, 2009) since he regarded Hall as his inspiration and the first "late night party show host". Hall has filled-in as guest host for NBC's *Access Hollywood Live* (2011) and CNN's evening talk/interview program *Piers Morgan Tonight* in 2012.

In 2012, Hall was a contestant on the fifth edition of *The Celebrity Apprentice*, which began airing February 19, 2012. Hall represented his charity, the Magic 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 with Aubrey O'Day, he befriended a majority of the cast. On May 20, 2012, in the live season finale, Hall was chosen as the *Celebrity Apprentice* winner, being "hired" by twice-impeached former president Donald Trump over the other celebrity finalist, singer Clay Aiken. For winning *The Celebrity Apprentice*, Hall won the $250,000 grand prize for his charity, in addition to any money he won for his charity for tasks he and his team won when he was a team leader on the show.

A revival of Hall's syndicated late-night talk show, *The Arsenio Hall Show*, premiered September 9, 2013, on Tribune owned stations and other networks via CBS Television Distribution. It was canceled after one season due to low ratings. The last taping of the new show aired May 30, 2014.

## Personal life

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 stating, "I went on the Internet and read I was in detox at Betty 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!'"

Hall has one son, born in 1998. Since the child's birth, Hall mostly took time off to raise his son before resuming *The Arsenio Hall Show* in 2013. Hall had an interest in returning to the business eventually, but his decision was not confirmed until he appeared on *Lopez Tonight* in 2009 (although he initially considered a weekend show because he did not want to compete in ratings against his friend George Lopez).

On May 5, 2016, Hall filed a $5 million defamation lawsuit against Sinéad O'Connor after she claimed he had fueled Prince's drug habit and also had spiked her drink during a party at Eddie Murphy's house. Hall dropped the lawsuit after O'Connor apologized and retracted her allegation that he had supplied Prince with drugs.

## Recognition

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

## Filmography

### Television

List of biography television shows and specials

## References

1. ↑ "Biography". *Arseniohall.com*. http://www.arseniohall.com/.
2. ↑ Daly, Sean (February 14, 2012). "Back from the dad".
3. ↑ Svetkey, Benjamin (December 28, 1990). "Arsenio Hall: One of 1990's great entertainers", *Entertainment Weekly*.
4. ↑ Chen, Joyce (May 21, 2012). "'Celebrity Apprentice' final recap: Arsenio Hall tops Clay Aiken", *New York Daily News*.
5. ↑ "Arsenio Hall Biography (1955-)". FilmReference.com. 2008. http://www.filmreference.com/film/15/Arsenio-Hall.html.
6. ↑ Dawidziak, Mark (May 17, 2012). "Arsenio Hall and Clay Aiken are this season's 'Celebrity Apprentice' finalists".
7. ↑ Adams, Guy (October 23, 2010). "Joan Rivers: 'I'm the funniest person performing stand-up today'".
8. ↑ Njeri, Itabari (April 16, 1989). "Fresh Talk: 'We Be Havin' a Ball,' Says Arsenio Hall. But Can the Talk-Show Host's Hip New Style Succeed on Late-Night TV?".
9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Diana E. Lundin (April 3, 1991). "Crank It Up!". *Los Angeles Daily News*. Orlando Sentinel. http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1991-04-03/lifestyle/9104020300\_1\_woof-woof-woof-arsenio-hall-crank.
10. ↑ "Celebrity Quotes", *Entertainment Weekly* (February 24, 1995).
11. ↑ "Magic Johnson, Arsenio Team Up For Aids Video". *Orlando Sentinel*. April 19, 1992. http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1992-04-19/news/9204190407\_1\_magic-johnson-hiv-aids.
12. ↑ "1991 MTV Video Music Awards | Highlights, Winners, Performers and Photos from the 1991 MTV VMAs". Mtv.com. http://www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/1991/.
13. ↑ "Season 2, Episode 9". *Chappelle's Show*. TV.com. March 24, 2004. http://www.tv.com/shows/chappelles-show/ep-209-321153/.
14. ↑ "Tim Conway and Friends". *KLSX 97.1*. 2008. http://www.971freefm.com/pages/1925907.php.
15. ↑ Arsenio Hall Is Back with Two New Shows*. November 9, 2008. Retrieved November 12, 2008.*
16. ↑ "Episode 247 of Real Time with Bill Maher". http://www.hbo.com/real-time-with-bill-maher/episodes/index.html#/real-time-with-bill-maher/episodes/0/247-episode/index.html.
17. ↑ Keller, Richard (December 11, 2006). "Howie says no deal to syndicated deal of Deal or no Deal".
18. ↑ "Arsenio Hall", *NotedGuys.com*.
19. ↑ "Arsenio Hall: Credits". TV.com. http://www.tv.com/people/arsenio-hall/.
20. ↑ "tbs.com – TV Shows – Television Shows – very funny". Lopeztonight.com. http://www.lopeztonight.com/george\_in\_his\_own\_words/.
21. ↑ Joshua Alston (October 28, 2009). "Wanda Sykes and Late Night TV's New Color Barrier – The Daily Beast". *Newsweek*. http://www.newsweek.com/id/220158?from=rss.
22. ↑ "Topic Galleries – South Florida". Sun-sentinel.com. http://www.sun-sentinel.com/entertainment/fl-george-lopez-jicha-20091106,0,1855800.story. Template:Dead link
23. ↑ TBS (November 9, 2009). "'Lopez Tonight' aims for 'Arsenio' vibe".
24. ↑ "Turner Newsroom: Press Kits". News.turner.com. http://news.turner.com/press\_kits.cfm?presskit\_id=169.
25. ↑ "'Celebrity Apprentice' cast includes Arsenio Hall, Clay Aiken". OTRC. http://www.ontheredcarpet.com/Celebrity-Apprentice-cast-includes-Arsenio-Hall--Clay-Aiken/8490467.
26. ↑ "'Celebrity Apprentice' Finale: Who Got Hired?", *Huffington Post* (May 21, 2012).
27. ↑ Ross, Dalton (May 14, 2012). "'Celebrity Apprentice': Aubrey O'Day talks controversial comments | EW.com". Insidetv.ew.com. http://insidetv.ew.com/2012/05/14/celebrity-apprentice-aubrey-oday-fidel-castro-arsenio-hall/.
28. ↑ Vicki Hyman/The Star-Ledger. "'Celebrity Apprentice' recap: Aubrey O'Day won't be bullied (that's her job!)", *NJ.com*.
29. ↑ "Aubrey O'Day: Arsenio Hall Called Me "a Whore"". UsMagazine.com. April 4, 2012. http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/aubrey-oday-arsenio-hall-called-me-a-whore-201244.
30. ↑ Lou Ferrigno (April 3, 2012). "She's Baaack! Celebrity Apprentice's "Evil" Aubrey O'Day Returns for "Unbelievably Brutal" Episodes". E! Online. http://www.eonline.com/news/watch\_with\_kristin/shes\_baaack\_celebrity\_apprentices\_evil/306074.
31. ↑ 65 days ago by Andy Swift. "Aubrey O'Day On 'Celebrity Apprentice' – Will She Win? Feud Details". Hollywoodlife.com. http://www.hollywoodlife.com/2012/04/02/aubrey-oday-quitting-celebrity-apprentice-rumors/?v02.
32. ↑ Template:Cite magazine
33. ↑ 'The Arsenio Hall Show' Canceled After One Season Variety. May 30, 2014
34. ↑ "Archives - Philly.com". articles.philly.com. http://articles.philly.com/1997-03-05/news/25572605\_1\_arsenio-hall-late-night-wars-show.
35. ↑ "The Daily Beast | Arsenio Hall on Choosing Fatherhood Over Fame". thedailybeast.com. http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2012/06/10/arsenio-hall-on-choosing-fatherhood-over-fame.html.
36. ↑ "For Arsenio Hall, back is beautiful", *CBS News* (September 1, 2013).
37. ↑ Schneider, Michael (September 9, 2013). "Arsenio Hall on Carson, Leno and Why He's Coming Back to Late Night - Today's News: Our Take". TVGuide.com. https://www.tvguide.com/News/Arsenio-Hall-Interview-1070082.aspx.
38. ↑ "Arsenio Hall files a lawsuit after defamation". TMZ.com. May 5, 2016. https://www.tmz.com/2016/05/05/arsenio-hall-sinead-oconnor-defamation-lawsuit-prince-drugs/.
39. ↑ "Arsenio Hall Drops Sinead O'Connor Lawsuit Over Prince Drug Comments", *Rolling Stone*.
40. ↑ "Arsenio Hall to get honorary doctorate" (April 8, 1992).
41. ↑ "Soul Train History Book: 'Soul Train 25th Anniversary Hall of Fame' - Soul Train". soultrain.com. http://soultrain.com/2015/11/16/soul-train-history-book-soul-train-25th-anniversary-hall-of-fame/.
42. ↑ Template:Cite book
43. ↑ "Motown Revue' Smokin' Toward Television Series | News OK". newsok.com. http://newsok.com/article/2116877.
44. ↑ "Arsenio Hall" (in en-us). https://www.biography.com/people/arsenio-hall-9542195#the-arsenio-hall-show.
45. ↑ Template:Cite journal
46. ↑ "Watch The Jackie Thomas Show Season 1 Episode 5: The Joke | TVGuide.com". tvguide.com. https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/the-jackie-thomas-show/episode-5-season-1/the-joke/202316/.
47. ↑ Template:Cite journal
48. ↑ "Behind The Music News & Full Episode | S1, E2 - MC Hammer: Behind the Music #2 - | VH1". vh1.com. http://www.vh1.com/episodes/67wmry/behind-the-music-mc-hammer-behind-the-music-2-season-1-ep-002.
49. ↑ "ABC Orders Singing Show 'Greatest Hits' Hosted by Arsenio Hall & Kelsea Ballerini | Billboard". https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/7364723/abc-singing-show-greatest-hits-arsenio-hall-kelsea-ballerini.

## External links

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* Template:Official
* Arsenio Hall on YouTube
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