Kal Penn starts work as White House liaison

// added July 06, 2009 // 15 comments //
Image...
Apocalipstick

more from Movies:

http://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2009-07-06-kal-penn_N.htm?csp=34

Actor Kal Penn started a new job Monday as a liaison between the White House and Asian communities.

The Indian-American actor is taking a break from Hollywood to work as an associate director in the Office of Public Liaison, with a focus on connecting Obama with the Asian-American and Pacific Islander communities, as well as arts groups.

Penn had a recurring role on Fox's TV show House and starred in several films including Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle and its sequel, Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay

Penn, who backed Obama during the campaign, said the new job has nothing to do with his life as an actor.

"I expect to be treated just like any other staff member," he told reporters on a conference call.

He is even applying this quest for a fresh start to his identity, saying he will use his given name, Kalpen Modi, instead of his acting moniker while working for the Obama administration.

Penn described the public liaison office as the "front door to the White House." He said his job would be engaging with constituent communities and making sure they feel that they have a seat at the table.

Asked about the differences between the new job and his work in Hollywood, Penn joked that he now wears a suit.

When pressed about preparing for his first day on the job Monday morning, he said, "I brushed my teeth; I did floss, used mouthwash ... took the bus to work, same thing that everybody does."
  1. groups:
    Politics,   Entertainment,   Movies,   Film,   4 more
  2. tags:
    Politics,  Entertainment,  Obama,  Movies,  15 more

15 comments // Kal Penn starts work as White House liaison

  • Found_Avenue
    • 0
      Found_Avenue  

    • I'm a big fan of Kal Penn's movies, and I'm very impressed that the White House didn't keep a man off the white house staff simply because he has multiple stoner-movies on his resume, but I cannot help but wonder: what makes Kal Penn qualified to do this job?

      Sure, he was on the campaign trail non-stop for Obama...
      Sure, he's a likable and well-known Asian-American citizen...
      AND...? Anything else...? Or were those the only qualifications?

    • 8 months ago
  • kewal91
  • kewal91
  • jaystyx
  • Skyscraper08
    • 0
      Skyscraper08  

    • This guy is a legend to me -- The Harold & Kumar films are DVD collection-worthy for sure. I hope he will be treated seriously in his time away from Hollywood...its a bold move.

    • 8 months ago
  • ThoughtNu
  • SDLN
  • raihan_ali
  • raihan_ali
    • 0
      raihan_ali  

    • I'm kind of glad he does not have any political science experience. Maybe without being "tainted" by political strategy/motives, he can bring fresh, creative ideas to the table, at least with regards to his job role.

      But yeah, pretty cool that he is being active, hope he sticks with it.

    • 8 months ago
  • RudyRudell
    • 0
      RudyRudell  

    • you go kalpen! a very selfless act for someone who could easily waste his hollywood paycheck in the bars and make a living being generally stupid. this kind of behavior is what our generations celebrities should be doing.

    • 8 months ago
  • Found_Avenue
    • 0
      Found_Avenue  
    • RudyRudell:

      I would be terrified if celebrities took over the white house. I'm an actor, and we're unstable enough as it is... Add fame to the mix, and most actors transform into the most self-obsessed, narcissistic beasts on this planet. A publicity stint in the white house isn't going to change that personality trait in most celebrities. This guy clearly has an interest in politics, but I have to question whether or not he is truly qualified for this job...

    • 8 months ago
  • snanders
    • 0
      snanders  

    • Wikipedia:
      "He attended UCLA, where he double majored in film and sociology."

      "He has stated that stories of his grandparents marching with Mohandas Gandhi for Indian independence were a significant influence on his interest in politics."

      ...very interesting guy indeed!

    • 8 months ago
  • Denica_Cassandra
  • derk
  • B3rt
most popular
videos on current tv

current videos