Kal Penn: Leaving the White House

Kalpen Suresh Modi, professionally known as Kal Penn, is finished with the White House and ready to get back to acting. Penn was appointed associate director of public engagement by Barack Obama, and left his acting career to campaign and work for the President. Like most administration jobs in the White House, Penn's was temporary. Since the administration is well-established now, his position is not necessary, and he's free to leave.

Penn left his career hugely popular, with fan bases from a variety of different areas. His vacation from acting could have killed his career, since a break for any period of time can make an actor irrelevant. However, Penn has already found a job replacement.

Prior to holding his White House post, Penn had built quite a reputation in Hollywood. The last project he took on was a role of a doctor on the television show House. He was working on House when he took the job with the President.

He has starred in a long list of movies since landing his first role in 1998. Those movies include Express: Aisle to Glory, National Lampoon's Van Wilder, Malibu's Most Wanted, American Desi, Dude, Where's the Party?, A Lot Like Love, Love Don't Cost a Thing, National Lampoon's Van Wilder: The Rise of Taj, Superman Returns, The Namesake and Epic Movie. Most of his roles are comedic in nature.

His most popular role, however, was likely the role of Kumar Patel in Harold and Kumar movies: Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle and Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay. The movies feature two friends who get high and go on adventures, getting themselves into some hilarious situations along the way. These 'stoner' comedies are a little different from the other movies in their genre, winning praise from critics for the comedic use of racial stereotypes for additional comedic effect.

According to Entertainment Weekly, The new Harold and Kumar film begins shooting in late June 2010. The movie will be a holiday-themed Harold and Kumar, and is estimated to release during the holidays in 2011.

Beyond Harold and Kumar, Penn will be around the movie and television scene more often. While only time will tell where he will end up, one thing is for sure. Penn will not be returning to House, since his character was killed off in order for him to leave for his position under Obama's administration.

For more information on Kal Penn (Kalpen Suresh Modi), go to his official page on IMDb.
See the Harold and Kumar site for upcoming information on the new film.