For a coevals of wonted later - night television viewers seek an alternative to Johnny Carson , Arsenio Hall was a breath of unexpected melodic line . The actor and comic is best recognize forThe Arsenio Hall Show , the former 1990s talker that had the host in relaxed conversation with some of the big stars of the era . Hall was also a standout in 1988’sComing to America , where he and co - starEddie Murphytravel from Zamunda to New York City to find Murphy ’s Prince Akeem a bride .
The delayed but anticipated continuation , come 2 America , is now on Amazon Prime . If you ’re curious about Hall after tuning in , keep reading for some facts on his place upright - up career , his renowned on - air argument , and how he helpedBill Clintonwin the presidency .
1. Arsenio Hall broke into television talk shows as an announcer.
Arsenio Hall was born in Cleveland , Ohio , on February 12 , 1956 to Fred and Anne Hall ; his parents later disunite . Hall hassaidhe sought out attention he was n’t getting at home from interview byperformingmagic show and process as a disc jockey . After graduating from Kent State University , Hall went into advertising before pursue a remain firm - up comedy career in 1979 . He was eventually recruit to be an announcer forThicke of the Night , a short - inhabit 1983 tardy - dark lecture show hosted byGrowing Painsstar Alan Thicke . That , in good turn , lead to a Edgar Albert Guest - hosting role onThe Late Showfollowing horde Joan Rivers ’s divergence . Paramount was impressed with Hall ’s work and signal him to a deal to finally put his name on the marquee withThe Arsenio Hall Showin 1989 .
2. Arsenio Hall didn’t really have a rivalry with Johnny Carson.
The amusement imperativeness enjoyed contrast the institution that wasThe Tonight Show With Johnny Carsonwith Hall , who often booked guests — like his friend Eddie Murphy , along with othernotableslike Prince , Madonna , and Tom Cruise — who were perceived as much more present-day than the show line of work warhorse Carson enjoyed having on . ( Hall even oncewelcomedJason Voorhees from theFriday the 13thseries to his couch , hardly a stunt Carson would have gone along with . ) But Hall said Carson did n’t perceive him as challenger ; in 2021,Hall toldEsquirethat Carson extended an olive branch to him via chum Ed McMahon .
“ [ McMahon ] said , ‘ Not only does he not detest you , he wants me to start giving you name , ’ ” Hall recalled . “ Ed said , ‘ There ’s a fry nominate Usher Raymond who was onStar Search . When he ’s a maven , we ’ll put him on for an interview , but tonight Johnny ’s got Robert Goulet . ’ ” Hall realized he could digest out by looking for fresh faces . He later booked Mariah Carey for her telly debut and alsohelpedintroduceMC Hammerto a wide audience .
3. Arsenio Hall may have helped Bill Clinton get elected president.
In June 1992 , Clintonappearedon Hall ’s show for an interview and kettle of fish session with Hall ’s circle . Donning sunglasses , Clinton played the Elvis Presley hit “ Heartbreak Hotel ” on his saxophone , which some political observers used as fresh fish to give the axe the candidate ’s chances in the 1992 presidential election . But his appearance on both Hall ’s show and on MTV two hebdomad later coincided with a sharp rise in his popularity in polling . Clinton finally defeated incumbent George H. W. Bush and Ross Perot in the election .
4. Arsenio Hall wasn’t afraid to get confrontational.
While some critics derided Hall ’s talk show for being too gentle and crawl with node , Hall was ofteneagerto get serious . His 1991 audience with Vanilla Ice , where he grilled the belt genius over an inconsistent and embellished setting of grimness , was hardly flattering . Hall also had a serious public lecture with Earvin “ Magic ” Johnson , who had just disclosed he was HIV - positive that same yr . And in 1990 , Hall aired a trigger-happy 10 - minute exchange with protestors from gay advocacy group Queer Nation , whoappearedin the crowd and chastised Hall for not featuring more mirthful Edgar Guest . ( Hall insisted he had , but not all of them were willing to disclose their sexual orientation . )
5. Arsenio Hall released a comedy rap album.
In 1989 , HallreleasedArsenio Hall Presents Chunky A — Large and in Charge , a intercrossed rap and comedy album that cast Hall in the eponymous character of a rapper and spoken - Holy Scripture lyricist . “ Chunky A ” was ostensibly Hall ’s unseasoned brother . While most of the songs were intended to be comedic , Hall also included the antidrug theme “ Dope , the Big Lie , ” which feature Paula Abdul and Ice - T.
6. Arsenio Hall starred in his own sitcom.
After ending his talk show in 1994 , Hall took some clip off before reappearing inArsenio , a short - lived 1997 ABC sitcom where heplayedMichael Atwood , a play mainstay with a unexampled married woman ( Vivica A. Fox ) and a freeloading brother - in - law ( Alimi Ballard ) . The following year , Halljoinedthe plaster bandage of the CBS action seriesMartial Law , starring martial arts star Sammo Hung . Hall portrayed a crush agent for the police force who clashes with Hung ’s Sammy Law .
After a briefreturnto the lecture show format in 2013 and 2014 , Hall give-up the ghost back to his stand - up roots with hisfirstcomedy special , Arsenio Hall : Smart & Classy , which premiered on Netflix in 2019 .
7. Arsenio Hall helped convince Eddie Murphy to makeComing 2 America.
Coming to America , which was release in 1988 , was one of Eddie Murphy ’s biggest hits . The actor played Prince Akeem of Zamunda who becomes a Pisces out of water system in a hostile New York City . Hall played his best champion Semmi . Accordingto Hall , the two agreed not to act on a sequel . But 10 subsequently , Hall noticed fans were posting aboutComing to Americathemed party and other case on societal media and dressing as characters from the film . He show the pictures to Murphy , who started to consider there was an audience for a follow - up . Murphy has alsosaiddirector Ryan Coogler ( Creed , Black Panther ) had pitch him on a sequel that would have featured Michael B. Jordan as Akeem ’s Logos . Murphy passed on the idea , but it got him think . The celluloid , which is now on Amazon Prime , was steer by Craig Brewer , who work with Murphy on 2019’sDolemite Is My Name .
