Born in Cleveland, Ohio to a Baptist minister, Arsenio was a magician as child. He went to Ohio University before transferring to Kent State. In 1987 he costarred in the comedy film Coming to America with Eddie Murphy. Then in 1989 he began hosting The Arsenio Hall Show, which lasted until 1994. His show was known for the audience making animalistic "Whoop Whoop Whoop" noises. Since the Arsenio Hall Show ended, Hall makes only infrequent appearances on television.