Rupert Jee | |
|---|---|
 Jee in October 2004 | |
| Born | (1956-07-16)July 16, 1956 (age 69) |
| Alma mater | City University of New York |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Known for | Hello Deli |
Rupert Jee (born July 16, 1956) is an Americanentrepreneur, former deli owner, and television personality who gained fame from his frequent appearances onLate Show with David Letterman, on which he sometimes used the alter ego Kenny.[1] He first appeared on theLate Show during a "Meet the Neighbors" segment on September 20, 1993,[2][3] and was a frequent accomplice of hostDavid Letterman during the show's many comedic segments.[4] He appeared on the show over 400 times.[5]
Jee was born in the United States to parents who were from China.[6] He holds a bachelor's degree ineconomics from theCity University of New York.[citation needed]
He made an appearance on the January 7, 2016 episode ofThe Late Show with Stephen Colbert,[7] marking his first and (as of 2024) only appearance onThe Late Show following the retirement of David Letterman in 2015.
With business partner May Chin, Jee co-owned the Hello Deli in New York City, which is located at 213 W 53rd St, adjacent to theEd Sullivan Theater where theLate Show is taped. His deli is one of the neighborhood's last remaining small businesses.[8] On the day Colbert's team moved into the theatre, he renamed one of the deli's sandwiches in Colbert's honor,[9][10] but as of 2022 the sandwich returned to its former name.[11]
Hello Deli marked thirty years in business on January 31, 2022.[12] On March 18, 2023, Jee and Chin announced their desire to retire and sell.[5] The deli closed for over a year and has since reopened under new owners and management.
Rupert Jee.
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