Henning Baum was born in Essen in 1972. He started Waldorf school there in 1979. This is also where he played his first theater roles and discovered his passion for acting. In 1992, he left the Waldorf School after graduating from high school and did his civilian service to train as a paramedic. From 1994 to 1997, he studied acting at the Westphälische Schauspielschule Bochum. During this time, he also made his first appearances at the Schauspielhaus Bochum.