Arieh Einstein was born in Tel Aviv. His father, Yaakov, was an actor with the "Ohel" Theater.

Einstein was Israel's junior high jump and shot put champion.[8] His father urged him to audition for an army entertainment troupe, and he was accepted into the Nahal Brigade troupe. In 1963, Arieh Einstein married Alona Shochat in the hall of Habima Theater (where he was onstage in a production of Irma La Douce).