Rufus Humphrey is a former rock artist whose marriage fell apart. He has two children, Dan and Jenny Humphrey, and owns a fledgling art gallery. Determined to give his children a quality education, he enrolled them at private day schools in Manhattan.

Rufus is a very honest man. He is not constantly caught up in the drama of the Upper East Side, and he is not the center of many intricate plot twists, but he is without a doubt one of the most purely good people in Upper Manhattan. Not only is he dedicated to truth and honesty, but he is also fiercely loyal. No matter how many times Lily lets him down, Rufus displays an unwavering sense of devotion to her. He fights for the people he loves, no matter what, and he always makes the people in his life feel valuable. The people he is closest to never doubt that he cares for them. He is generous, thoughtful, and creative, with a great sense of humor.