Arsenio Hall Biography: Net Worth, Wife, Age, Children, Parents, Height, Movies, TV Shows

Biography

Arsenio Hall is a renowned American comedian, actor, producer, and talk show host, born on February 12, 1956, in Cleveland, Ohio.

He rose to prominence as the first African American to host his own nationally syndicated late-night talk show, The Arsenio Hall Show (1989–1994), which became a cultural phenomenon by attracting younger audiences, hip-hop artists, and memorable guests—including a saxophone-playing Bill Clinton during his 1992 presidential campaign.

Hall began his career in stand-up comedy after moving to Chicago in 1979, where he was discovered and opened for major acts like Aretha Franklin and Patti LaBelle.

He gained early television exposure as a guest host on The Late Show (replacing Joan Rivers). He appeared in films such as Coming to America (1988) alongside Eddie Murphy and Harlem Nights (1989).

After his original talk show ended, Hall continued working in entertainment, including a revival of The Arsenio Hall Show (2013–2014). He has also competed on Celebrity Apprentice (winning in 2012), performed stand-up (with specials like Smart & Classy on Netflix), and made guest appearances in various TV projects.

American comedian and actor
Arsenio Hall
Wiki Facts & About Data
Real Name:	Arsenio Cheron Hall
Stage Name:	Arsenio Hall
Born:	12 February 1956 (age 69 years old)
Place of Birth:	Cleveland, Ohio, United States
Nationality:	American
Education:	John F. Kennedy High School, Warrensville Heights High School, Ohio University, Kent State University
Height:	1.79 m
Parents:	Fred Hall, Anne Hall
Siblings:	N/A
Spouse:	Not Married
Boyfriend • Partner:	Cheryl Bonacci (1987-2002), Paula Abdul (rum.)
Children:	Arsenio Hall Jr.
Occupation:	Actor • Comedian
Net Worth:	$20 million (USD)

Early Life & Education

Arsenio Hall was born on February 12, 1956, in Cleveland, Ohio. He is African American and grew up in a predominantly Black, working-class neighborhood in East Cleveland.

He is the only child of Fred Hall, a Baptist minister, and Annie “Anne” Hall. His parents separated or divorced when he was young, and his mother primarily raised him in a religious Baptist household.

However, Hall has not extensively discussed his personal religious beliefs in adulthood. As a child, Hall showed an early interest in performance, working as a magician and drawing inspiration from his challenging environment.

For education, he briefly attended John F. Kennedy High School before transferring and graduating from Warrensville Heights High School in Warrensville Heights, Ohio, in 1973.

He later attended Ohio University and then Kent State University. However, there is no record of him completing a degree, as he left to pursue a career in comedy and entertainment.

Career

Arsenio Hall is an acclaimed American comedian, actor, producer, and talk show host, widely recognized as a trailblazer in late-night television.

Hall began his professional journey in stand-up comedy after moving from Ohio to Chicago in 1979, where he honed his skills and was discovered, eventually opening for major acts like Aretha Franklin, Patti LaBelle, and others.

He relocated to Los Angeles to further pursue comedy, making early TV appearances, including on Soul Train. In the early 1980s, Hall transitioned to television, co-hosting the short-lived The 1/2 Hour Comedy Hour (1983), serving as announcer and sidekick on Thicke of the Night (1983–1984) with Alan Thicke, and appearing as a regular on music programs like The Motown Revue Starring Smokey Robinson (1985) and Solid Gold (1986).

He also provided the voice of Winston Zeddemore in the animated series The Real Ghostbusters (1986–1987). His big break came in 1987 when he replaced Joan Rivers as a guest host on Fox’s The Late Show, earning praise for his relaxed, engaging style over a 13-week run. This led to a film and TV deal with Paramount Pictures.

Hall made his feature film debut in Amazon Women on the Moon (1987) and gained widespread fame co-starring with Eddie Murphy in the blockbuster Coming to America (1988), playing Semmi. He later appeared in Harlem Nights (1989) with Murphy and others, and reprised his role in the sequel Coming 2 America (2021).

On January 3, 1989, Hall launched The Arsenio Hall Show, becoming the first African American to host a nationally syndicated late-night talk show. The program ran until 1994 and revolutionized the genre with its high-energy vibe, hip-hop and urban guests, youthful appeal, informal seating (no desk), and Hall‘s signature “Woof! Woof!” fist-pump cheer.

Iconic moments include Bill Clinton playing saxophone in 1992. As executive producer, Hall earned Emmy nominations and two wins for the show.

After its end, Hall starred in the short-lived sitcom Arsenio (1997), appeared in Martial Law (1998–2000), hosted the Star Search revival (2003–2004), and won Celebrity Apprentice (2012). He revived The Arsenio Hall Show (2013–2014) for a one-season run.

In later years, Hall has focused on stand-up comedy (including Netflix specials like Smart & Classy), guest roles (e.g., All About the Washingtons), live performances, and occasional TV appearances, such as a bit at the 2024 Emmys.

He continues touring as a comedian, with upcoming projects including a memoir, Arsenio: A Memoir, set for release in April 2026, offering candid reflections on his groundbreaking career.

Social Media

• Wikipedia: Arsenio Hall
• Instagram: Arsenio Hall (@arseniohall)
• IMDb: Arsenio Hall
• Facebook: Arsenio Hall (@ArsenioHall)

Personal Life

Arsenio Hall, born on February 12, 1956, is currently 69 years old. He stands at approximately 5 feet 10.5 inches (1.79 m) tall, though some sources round it to 5 feet 11 inches.

Hall has never been married and has no wife. He has openly stated that marriage isn’t for him personally, preferring relationships without formal commitment.

His most notable long-term relationship was with Cheryl Bonacci, his former manager, from around 1987 to 2002; they never married. He has one son, Arsenio Cheron Hall Jr. (commonly known as Cheron), born in 1999 with Bonacci.

Hall raised his son primarily as a single father after the relationship ended shortly after the birth, stepping back from his career for years to focus on parenthood and describing it as one of the most fulfilling parts of his life.

He remains protective of his son’s privacy, though Cheron has occasionally appeared in family contexts and pursued his own interests, including music.

Hall keeps his dating history very private, beyond his well-known past with Bonacci and occasional unconfirmed rumors from the late 1980s and early 1990s (such as those involving Paula Abdul).

In recent years, he has appeared to remain single, focusing on family, comedy tours, and upcoming projects.

Net Worth

Arsenio Hall‘s net worth is estimated at $20 million. This figure reflects his decades-long career as a comedian, actor, talk show host, producer, and writer.

Much of his wealth stems from the massive success of The Arsenio Hall Show (1989–1994), which brought in substantial earnings through syndication and high viewership, along with film roles such as Coming to America (1988) and its 2021 sequel, plus ongoing income from stand-up comedy tours, Netflix specials, and past ventures like winning Celebrity Apprentice in 2012.

Estimates occasionally vary slightly (ranging from around $16 million to $23–$30 million in some older or less consistent reports), often influenced by real estate dealings—like selling a long-held California home for $9 million in 2022 and purchasing another property—but $20 million remains the most widely cited and current consensus for his fortune.

Filmography

Television Hosting and Producing  

• The Arsenio Hall Show (syndicated, 1989–1994; revived 2013–2014) — Host, executive producer, and writer; his signature late-night talk show.  
• Star Search (revival, 2003–2004) — Host.  
• Early roles: Sidekick/announcer on Thicke of the Night (1983–1984); guest host on The Late Show (Fox, 1987); appearances on Solid Gold, Soul Train, and others.  
• Acting/regular roles: Martial Law (1998–2000, as Terrell Winfield); Arsenio (1997 sitcom); voice of Winston Zeddemore in The Real Ghostbusters (1986–1987 animated series).
• Other TV credits include guest spots on shows like Chelsea Lately, The Proud Family, All About the Washingtons, reality competitions (Celebrity Apprentice, which he won in 2012), and specials/documentaries.

Film Roles  

• Coming to America (1988) — Semmi (and multiple characters); iconic Eddie Murphy co-star role.  
• Coming 2 America (2021) — Reprising Semmi and others.  
• Harlem Nights (1989) — Reggie (The Crying Man).  
• Amazon Women on the Moon (1987) — Apartment Victim (segment).
• Other films: Black Dynamite (2009, voice/cameo), Igor (2008, voice), Sandy Wexler (2017, cameo), The Proud Family Movie (2005, voice), and appearances in documentaries like Being Eddie (2025), Being Elmo: A Puppeteer’s Journey, and music videos (e.g., Paula Abdul’s “Straight Up”).