Arsenio Hall is an American comedian, actor, and talk show host who rose to fame for his charismatic and energetic on-screen presence. Hall is best known for hosting “The Arsenio Hall Show,” a groundbreaking late-night talk show from 1989 to 1994. His dynamic and engaging interviewing style, combined with his trademark “Woof, Woof, Woof!” chant, made him an iconic figure in the entertainment industry during the early 1990s.
Content of This Article
- Arsenio Hall’s Appearance
- Facts About Arsenio Hall
- Arsenio Hall’s Net Worth
- Early Life
- Arsenio Hall’s Wife and Family
- Arsenio Hall’s Career
- Arsenio Hall’s Controversy
- Arsenio Hall’s Real Estate
Arsenio Hall’s Appearance (Height, Hair, Eyes & More)
| Height | 5 ft 11 in
1.8 m |
| Weight | 165 pounds
75 kg |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Eye Color | Dark Brown |
| Body Type | Average |
| Sexual Orientation | Straight |
Facts About Arsenio Hall
| Nationality | American |
| Estimated Net Worth | $20 million |
| Religion | Baptist |
| Zodiac Sign | Aquarius |
| Birthplace | Cleveland, Ohio |
| Birthday | February 12, 1956 |
Arsenio Hall’s Net Worth
As of 2023, Arsenio Hall’s net worth is approximately $20 million. Hall’s big breakthrough happened when he co-hosted “Solid Gold.” This led to him getting acting roles on TV and in movies. One of his most famous roles was alongside Eddie Murphy in “Coming to America.” He earned $900,000 for his part in the film in 1988.
But the most significant moment in Hall’s career came in 1989 with “The Arsenio Hall Show.” He was among the first Black people to host a late-night talk show, bringing a fresh and daring style to late-night TV. His show became important in pop culture. It attracted younger viewers and had famous guests like Bill Clinton when he was running for president.
Early Life
Arsenio Hall was born in Cleveland, Ohio, on February 12, 1956. His parents are Fred and Annie Hall, and his dad is a Baptist minister. When he was a kid, Hall used to do magic tricks.
Education
Arsenio Hall finished high school at Warrensville Heights High School in Warrensville Heights, Ohio, in 1973, although he briefly went to John F. Kennedy High School. Afterward, he went on to attend Ohio University and Kent State University.
Arsenio Hall’s Wife and Family
Arsenio Hall has a son named Arsenio Jr., born in 1998 to his longtime girlfriend, Cheryl Bonacci. Hall took a break from his career to raise his son before returning to host “The Arsenio Hall Show” in 2013.
Arsenio Hall’s Career
Arsenio Hall relocated to Chicago and later to Los Angeles to follow his comedy career. He appeared a couple of times on “Soul Train.” In 1984, he worked as the announcer and sidekick for Alan Thicke on the short-lived talk show “Thicke of the Night.”
Hall appeared on five weeks of episodes of the short-lived NBC game show “Match Game-Hollywood Squares Hour” between 1983 and 1984. Additionally, he was the original voice for Winston Zeddemore in the animated series “The Real Ghostbusters” from 1986 to 1987. In 1988, he co-starred alongside Eddie Murphy in the comedy film “Coming to America.”
The Arsenio Hall Show
From January 2, 1989, to May 27, 1994, Arsenio Hall hosted a nationally syndicated late-night talk show called “The Arsenio Hall Show” under a contract with Paramount Pictures. The show became a massive hit, especially among younger viewers. It was known for its unique audience participation, where instead of applause, they chanted “Woof, woof, woof!” while pumping their fists.
This tradition began in the Cleveland Browns’ Dawg Pound in the east end zone and became so popular that it was considered a “pop culture stamp of approval” by 1991, although some people found it annoying. This gesture even made its way into films like “Pretty Woman,” “Passenger 57,” “Aladdin,” and “The Hard Way.”
A new version of “The Arsenio Hall Show” debuted on September 9, 2013, on Tribune-owned stations and other networks through CBS Television Distribution. Unfortunately, it was canceled after just one season because of poor ratings. The final episode aired on May 30, 2014.
Other Appearances
Between 1988 and 1991, Arsenio Hall hosted the MTV Video Music Awards. Over the years, he has appeared as a guest on many talk shows, special features, and game shows. He has also lent his voice to animated projects and participated in other award shows.
After “The Arsenio Hall Show” ended, he took on leading roles in TV shows like the short-lived sitcom “Arsenio” (1997) and “Martial Law with Sammo Hung” (1998–2000). Additionally, he hosted the revival of “Star Search” from 2003 to 2004.
In March 2004, Hall appeared as himself on “Chappelle’s Show” when Dave Chappelle imagined “what Arsenio is doing right now” during a dinner scene. He also co-hosted on Wednesday evenings for “The Tim Conway Jr. Show” on KLSX 97.1 FM radio.
Moreover, Hall hosted two shows, one called “The World’s Funniest Moments” on MyNetworkTV, which featured comedic web videos, and another called “100 Greatest Black Power Moves” on TV One. He appeared on “Real Time with Bill Maher” in May 2012 as part of a discussion commemorating the 1992 Los Angeles riots.
Hall was initially considered as the host for the syndicated version of “Deal or No Deal” and even filmed a pilot for the show. However, when the syndicated series began on September 8, 2008, Howie Mandel was ultimately chosen as the host.
In addition, Hall regularly appeared on “The Jay Leno Show” and was a guest on “Lopez Tonight.” George Lopez, in fact, credits Hall as the reason he got his late-night show. Lopez appeared on “The Arsenio Hall Show” more times than any other comedian, which played a pivotal role in his late-night career.
In 2012, Hall participated as a contestant on the fifth edition of “The Celebrity Apprentice,” which started airing on February 19, 2012. During the show, he represented the Magic Johnson Foundation, a charity committed to promoting economic and social equality by involving minorities in all aspects of their communities, boosting academic and innovative accomplishments, and spreading awareness about HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention.
Arsenio Hall’s Controversy
Jay Leno Feud
During the original run of “The Arsenio Hall Show,” Arsenio Hall had a rivalry with Jay Leno, especially after Leno was named the host of “The Tonight Show.” Hall boldly declared that he would outperform Leno in the TV ratings, saying he would “kick Jay’s ass.”
Rehab Rumor
After “The Arsenio Hall Show” concluded in 1994, Arsenio Hall took a step back from the public spotlight for some years. However, in 1997, he came across online rumors suggesting that he had entered the Betty Ford Center for rehabilitation. To counter these false claims, Hall used a pseudonym and responded to those posts with, “I know Arsenio better than anyone else, and he’s not in detox, you idiots.”
Sinéad O’Connor Defamation
In 2016, Arsenio Hall filed a $5 million defamation lawsuit against singer Sinéad O’Connor. O’Connor had falsely claimed that Hall was responsible for Prince’s drug addiction and accused him of spiking her drink at a party at Eddie Murphy’s house. However, O’Connor later apologized and withdrew her allegations about Hall’s involvement in Prince’s drug habit. As a result, Hall decided to drop his lawsuit against her.
Arsenio Hall’s Real Estate
In October 2021, Arsenio Hall bought a house in Tarzana, California, for $5.2 million from actor Sean Murray. A year later, he purchased this same home for $5.3 million. Then, in November 2022, Hall purchased another property in Calabasas, California, for $5.2 million.
In 1990, Hall purchased a grand mountaintop estate in Topanga, California, for $3.5 million. Interestingly, during the late 1980s, this extensive property was on the market for a hefty $10 million. Hall made a savvy move by acquiring it in a slow real estate market, and today, it’s considered a bargain.
Situated in a secluded part of the Santa Monica mountains, Arsenio Hall’s estate spans over 34 acres. It boasts a unique, custom-built mansion that spans 10,000 square feet and resembles a massive spaceship. The property offers a range of amenities, including a mini-golf course, tennis courts, a pond, a basketball court with panoramic 360-degree views of Los Angeles, and much more.
In August 2022, Hall discreetly sold his Topanga estate for $9 million.
Net Worth of Other Notable TV Hosts
Alex Trebek’s Net Worth
Alex Trebek, the iconic Canadian-American television host, gained fame for his long-standing role on the quiz show “Jeopardy!” Born on July 22, 1940, in Sudbury, Ontario, Trebek embarked on a diverse broadcasting career starting in Canada and later achieving stardom in the United States. His career saw him hosting various game shows and earning a reputable position in television history. Beyond his professional life, Trebek experienced numerous personal challenges, including multiple health scares and a brave battle with stage IV pancreatic cancer, which he sadly lost in November 2020. Trebek’s influence extended beyond television; he had substantial real estate holdings, with his Los Angeles home being sold posthumously in May 2022 for $6.45 million. With a career spanning several decades and his unforgettable contributions to the world of trivia, Alex Trebek’s net worth was estimated at $75 million at the time of his passing.
Carson Daly’s Net Worth
Carson Daly, a celebrated figure in the American media landscape, began his journey to fame as an MTV VJ and later became known for hosting shows like “Total Request Live” (TRL), “Last Call with Carson Daly,” and the popular reality music competition, “The Voice.” Born in Santa Monica, California, in 1973, Daly has faced personal and professional challenges, including controversies, but his enduring career in broadcasting and his savvy real estate investments, which are estimated to be worth around $20 million, have contributed significantly to Carson Daly’s net worth of approximately $40 million.