Secrets Of A Short Hills Mall Santa

MILLBURN, NJ — South Jersey resident Bob Lee never imagined his decision to grow a beard for charity in 2018 would lead to a career of being urinated on and poked at.

But the beard was white and fluffy, and the career was mall Santa.

Lee has been serving his community as Santa since 2019, first at the Short Hills Mall in Millburn, and last year at the Cherry Hill Mall, closer to home.

He's also played Santa in movies, on television and in live performances. It's not the first fascinating career in Lee's lifetime.

In past lives, the Audubon sexagenarian has been an elementary school teacher, town commissioner, public safety director and an opera singer.

Lee's new career started in late 2018 when a friend encouraged him to participate in "No-Shave November," which raises money for cancer research.

"I started getting that look from people," Lee said ominously in an interview with Patch, "and some comments."

A star was born.

St. Nick Of All Trades

Lee was already busy with various civic duties in his area — including having served as school board president — but the new beard quickly led to Santa jobs, including at the Short Hills Mall.

"The woman [hiring mall Santas] loved me and wanted to put me in one of the better malls," Lee said. "They do the top profit of all Santa photography in the country."

He also acquired an agent, Gail Holvey at Applaud Talent, who helped the "Audubon Santa" land regular seasonal appearances at the Short Hills Mall and surrounding areas.

Lee attends corporate events, sings the National Anthem at basketball games, and was scheduled to appear at a tree lighting at Villanova University.

Just this summer, he had roles in films and TV series including a docu-series called "Where Is Private Delaney," a TV series called "Fletcher," and the feature film "Insidious 5."

Lee also appeared in an independent film called "Olly" in the role of "Elderly man suffering from dementia."

His first role was as Santa Claus in 2019 on the ABC TV show "Shark Tank."

But being a Mall Santa isn't always jolly.

In 2019 and 2020, Lee had to stay in a hotel in Parsippany for seven weeks while he was working in Short Hills, considering he'd otherwise have to commute 88 miles each way from Camden County, and he doesn't drive a sleigh.

And then there were the incidents.

Diapers and Dedication

Lee said that many a young child has urinated in his lap.

"That's fairly normal, " said Lee, with good humor. "Sometimes they have diapers soaking them up, and there were a couple of occasions when that was not the case. I always have a backup suit handy in case that does happen."

Lee also served in an important role for those grieving.

Once, a woman brought her husband's ashes to the mall to meet Santa. Another time, a woman brought her beloved dog, who was terminally ill, for one last holiday photo.

The dog had a seizure while in Lee's lap, he said.

Lee said the mall paramedics came to help, and were very attentive. Sadly, the dog passed away, but had a few last moments of holiday magic with his human.

These days, Lee spreads Christmas cheer closer to home at the Deptford Mall in Gloucester County. He's glad to spend more time with his family, although his two kids in their 20s aren't impressed by his role, he said.

Lee said with a laugh, "Santa Claus drives them nuts on a daily basis."