Arsenio Hall and Arsenio Hall Jr. | Source: Getty Images
After being told he could not have children, Arsenio Hall finally lived his dream of becoming a father and welcomed a son. Although Arsenio Hall Jr.'s parents parted ways when he was still young, his father ensured they maintained a close bond, including putting his career on hold.
Arsenio Hall is a well-known actor and comedian who used to host his legendary self-titled talk show, which featured multiple A-list celebrities during the '80s and '90s. The Ohio native enjoyed much success after finding fame in front of the camera.
However, he gave it all up after welcoming his son, Arsenio Hall Jr. The public figure revealed he was looking for more when he decided to step back from work, including being a hands-on father to his son.
Arsenio Hall Jr. and Arsenio Hall at the 2009 BET Awards on June 28, 2009, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
Arsenio Hall Dreamed Of Having a Son
In 2012, Arsenio reminisced about the period in his life when he thought he would never be a father after doctors told him it was physically impossible for him to have a child.
The former talk show host recalled watching his good friends like Magic Johnson and George Lopez enjoy fatherhood and was saddened by the reality that that would never be him. Miracualy, his then-girlfriend fell pregnant, and his son was born. The former talk show host revealed:
"At times, it was difficult to remain hopeful. But that all changed a few years later when my girlfriend at the time became pregnant. In September 1999, Arsenio Cheron Hall Jr. was born. I would have been overjoyed for either a daughter or a son. Oh, who am I kidding? I was obsessed with having a son."
Arsenio Hall and Arsenio Hall Jr. at the Premiere of "The Karate Kid" on June 7, 2010, in Westwood, California. | Source: Getty Images
In 2017, Arsenio took to Instagram to celebrate his son starting a new journey at Indiana University and shared a clip of two pictures of the father/son duo. In the caption, the comedian revealed Arsenio Jr. gave his life meaning and "triggered a level of unconditional love & devotion I didn't know I was capable of!"
A few years later, Arsenio commemorated his son's graduation from college and later revealed that Arsenio Jr. had pursued a career in the music industry after posting one of his music videos.
Arsenio Jr. has been his father's date for multiple public appearances over the years.
Arsenio Hall and Arsenio Hall Jr. at the "Mr. Church" premiere on September 6, 2016, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
Arsenio Hall Took a Step Back from His Professional Life to Raise His Son as a Single Parent
After Arsenio Jr.'s parents separated, his father spent the following 12 years raising his son as a single parent. He would take on odd jobs occasionally but mainly spent his day making his son his favorite breakfast and checking his homework at night.
"I love doing stand-up, but there's nothing greater than fatherhood," Arsenio revealed. However, although the actor took a step back from his professional life for his son, Arsenio Jr. ended up being the one who encouraged his father to get back into work.
Arsenio revealed the pair loved watching "Celebrity Apprentice." After nudging his father to go on the show, instilling in him the belief he could win it, Arsenio participated and won.
Arsenio Hall Jr. and Arsenio Hall watching the Los Angeles Clippers versus the New York Knicks on January 5, 2020, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
Arsenio Hall Jr.'s Public Appearances with His Father
Arsenio Jr. has been his father's date for multiple public appearances over the years. In 2009, they posed for the camera at the BET Awards and attended the premiere of "The Karate Kid" — co-starring Jaden Smith, Jackie Chan, and Taraji P. Henson — a year later.
In 2015, Arsenio Jr. proved he not only inherited his father's name but good looks too, as the father and son were spotted at a basketball game. Arsenio and his son were back in the stands in 2020, as they were photographed watching the Los Angeles Clippers and the New York Knicks at Staples Center.
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