There’s a reason Bobby Lee keeps showing up in headlines — he’s a comedian who has survived addiction, hosted a hit podcast, and even been yelled at by Adam Sandler. Born Robert Young Lee Jr., this Korean-American comic went from MADtv to the Bad Friends podcast, all while being brutally honest about his relapses and his recent weight loss journey with medications like Ozempic. If you’ve ever wondered what’s true and what’s exaggerated about Bobby Lee, this article separates fact from rumor.

Full name: Robert Young Lee Jr. ·
Born: September 17, 1971 ·
Occupation: Stand-up comedian, actor, podcaster ·
Ethnicity: Korean-American ·
Known for: MADtv, Bad Friends podcast ·
Instagram followers: 2 million

Quick snapshot

1Profile
2Career Highlights
3Recent Controversies & Health
4Personal Life
  • Wife: Khalyla (disclosed on podcast)
  • Son: not publicly confirmed
  • Political leaning: liberal (from podcast remarks)

The table below organizes the essential biographical facts about Bobby Lee into a single reference point.

Key facts about Bobby Lee
Attribute Value
Full name Robert Young Lee Jr.
Birth date September 17, 1971
Birthplace San Diego, California, USA
Occupation Stand-up comedian, actor, podcaster
Ethnicity Korean-American
Known for MADtv, Bad Friends podcast

The implication: Bobby Lee’s career arc spans two decades, rooted in a stable set of personal identifiers that fans and media can verify against public records.

Is Bobby Lee Korean or Chinese?

What is Bobby Lee’s ethnicity?

  • Bobby Lee is Korean-American. His parents are Korean immigrants who moved to the United States. (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia))

Where was Bobby Lee born?

  • He was born in San Diego, California, on September 17, 1971. (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia))
The upshot

Bobby Lee is firmly Korean-American, not Chinese, and his upbringing in California shaped his comedy persona.

What is Bobby Lee most famous for?

What TV shows and movies has Bobby Lee been in?

  • Bobby Lee was a cast member of MADtv from 2001 to 2009. (IMDB (film industry database))
  • He appeared in the Harold & Kumar film series as Kenneth Park. (IMDB (film industry database))
  • Other films include The Dictator, Trainwreck, and The Wedding Ringer.

What is Bobby Lee’s podcast?

Bottom line: Bobby Lee’s career spans sketch comedy, film, and a popular podcast. His longevity is built on raw, self-deprecating humor that resonates with a wide audience.

Why did Bobby Lee get yelled at by Adam Sandler?

What was the incident on set?

  • Bobby Lee recalled that Adam Sandler repeatedly scolded him during the filming of a movie. The exact movie is not specified in available reports, but Bobby Lee described the experience as humiliating. (Hollywood In Toto (entertainment news))

How did Bobby Lee respond?

  • Bobby Lee has shared the story publicly in interviews and on his podcast, treating it with a mix of humor and regret. He acknowledged that Sandler’s frustration may have been justified because of his own behavior at the time.
Why this matters

The Adam Sandler incident highlights the power dynamics on comedy sets and how Bobby Lee’s past struggles with addiction may have affected his professional conduct.

What did Bobby Lee relapse from?

What substance did Bobby Lee relapse with?

  • Bobby Lee has spoken openly about his addiction to Vicodin and alcohol. In a 2016 interview, he said he was taking “40 or 50 Vicodins a day and drinking 24/7” during his second season on MADtv. (Hollywood In Toto (entertainment news))

How has Bobby Lee addressed his relapse publicly?

Bottom line: Bobby Lee’s relapse after nearly two decades of sobriety underscores the fragility of recovery, especially during periods of grief. His candor has made him a relatable figure for many fans facing similar struggles.

Is Bobby Lee on Ozempic?

What weight loss medications did Bobby Lee try?

  • Bobby Lee has openly discussed using Ozempic (and reportedly Wegovy) for weight loss. On a 2024 episode of Bad Friends, the episode was titled “Ozempic Pukes,” indicating he experienced side effects. (YouTube (Bad Friends episode 242))
  • A 2025 Apple Podcasts listing for “Bobby’s Hopecore Era” includes the segment “Off the Ozempic.” (Apple Podcasts (Bad Friends))

How has Ozempic affected Bobby Lee?

  • Bobby Lee has talked about nausea and vomiting as side effects. A Reddit discussion claimed he took about ten times the recommended dosage. (Reddit (fan discussion))

The catch: Bobby Lee’s willingness to share the unpleasant side effects of weight loss drugs contrasts with the polished success stories often seen in media, offering a more honest picture.

What to watch

Bobby Lee’s willingness to share the unpleasant side effects of weight loss drugs offers a more honest picture than the polished success stories often seen in media.

Clarity check: What we know and what remains unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Bobby Lee is Korean-American and born in San Diego.
  • He was a cast member of MADtv and co-hosts Bad Friends.
  • He has spoken about a relapse after 17 years of sobriety following his father’s death.
  • He has discussed using Ozempic and experiencing side effects.
  • Adam Sandler scolded him on a film set.

What’s unclear

  • Exact net worth.
  • Details about his wife and children (whether he has a biological son is unconfirmed).
  • Exact political party affiliation (only inferred as liberal from podcast remarks).
  • The specific movie where the Adam Sandler incident occurred.

In his own words

“I was taking 40 or 50 Vicodins a day and drinking 24/7.”

— Bobby Lee, speaking to Hollywood In Toto (entertainment news)

“After 17 years of sobriety, I relapsed after my father passed away.”

— Bobby Lee, on Inside of You with Michael Rosenbaum (podcast)

“I had the Ozempic pukes. It was terrible.”

— Bobby Lee, on Bad Friends podcast (YouTube)

For comedy fans who have followed Bobby Lee from MADtv to the podcast world, the choice is clear: embrace the unfiltered honesty, or stick to the polished highlights. Bobby Lee’s story shows that recovery is not linear and that Hollywood stardom comes with hidden costs.

Related reading: Demi Lovato: diagnosis, gender identity, sobriety & career timeline

Frequently asked questions

What is Bobby Lee’s real name?

Robert Young Lee Jr.

How old is Bobby Lee?

Born September 17, 1971, making him 53 years old as of 2025.

Where was Bobby Lee born?

San Diego, California, USA.

Is Bobby Lee married?

He is in a long-term relationship with Khalyla, whom he often references on his podcast. Marital status is not officially confirmed.

Does Bobby Lee have children?

It is not publicly confirmed whether he has a son. He has mentioned stepchildren in podcast discussions.

What is Bobby Lee’s Instagram handle?

@bobbyleelive (Instagram (official))

What is Bobby Lee’s official website?

bobbylee.live (official site)

Bobby Lee’s journey, from addiction to public self-disclosure, has made him a uniquely transparent figure in comedy.