On this day in comedy on September 17, 1971 Comedian and Actor Bobby Lee (Robert Lee, Jr.) was born in San Diego, California.
Lee’s Korean-American parents wanted him to go into the family clothing business. He decided he had a better future working in a coffee shop. Then fate stepped in and Lee lost his position in that lucrative venue when the place shut down and he was forced to seek employment elsewhere. For Lee elsewhere meant next door and fortunately for comedy fans next door was the La Jolla Comedy Store where Lee got a job parking cars, washing dishes and showing people to their seats. It was fun, but not as much fun as stand -up comedy looked. So one amateur night he gave it a shot
His parents didn’t like Lee’s new direction in life. His father even gave him the silent treatment, but that didn’t matter. Soon Lee was good enough to get on the road as the opening act for attractions such as Carlos Mencia and Pauly Shore. His climb included an attention-getting performance on The Tonight Show. From there he put in 8 seasons on the sketch comedy show, Mad TV (2001-2009) and did the films Pauly Shore is Dead, Harold & Kumar Go to the White Castle, Hard Breakers, Pineapple Express, A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas, Kickin it Old Skool and The Dictator. He toured in the Kims of Comedy, along with Ken Jeong, Steve Byrne and Kevin Shea and appeared on The Mind of Mencia, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Animal Practice and as a panelist on Chelsea Lately. Bobby Lee’s done voice-overs and music videos (domestically and internationally). All and all not bad for a coffee shop boy.
By Darryl “D’Militant” Littleton
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