|
ARSENIO HALL |
|
|
|
Hall, Arsenio (b. February 12, 1955, Cleveland, Ohio), American comedian, producer, and star of the first successful African American late night television talk show.Arsenio Hall is a member of the influential "Black Pack," a group of highly successful African Americans in the entertainment industry whose other members include Eddie Murphy, Robert Townsend, Damon and Keenan Ivory Wayans, and Paul Mooney. In the mid-to-late 1980s, Arsenio Hall and his syndicated television program revitalized late night talk shows (see Television and African Americans).Arsenio Hall was born in the projects of Cleveland, Ohio, to Annie and Fred Hall. His father, a strict disciplinarian, was minister of Elizabeth Baptist Church. His parents divorced when Hall was five years old, and he cites their acrimonious relationship as the catalyst for his early attempts at entertainment. In the fall of 1973, he entered Ohio University in Athens, but soon transferred to Kent State University, where he subsequently received an undergraduate degree. After garnering moderate success on the stand-up comedian circuit in Chicago, Hall moved to Los Angeles in early 1980. His break arrived in 1987 with his appearance on the Tonight Show, hosted by Joan Rivers. In late 1987 he was named host of the Late Show. After the cancellation of that show in 1989, Hall went on to star opposite Eddie Murphy in the film "Coming to America." In January of that same year, he began hosting the Arsenio Hall Show. The show popularized the barking chant ("woof, woof") in substitution for applause, and ushered in the casual, hip, urban talk show. |
| Reference: Microsoft Africana |
| Constructed by: Alaina Turner |
