April 7, 2009 1:11 PM

Actor Kal Penn Joins White House Staff

By
Brian Montopoli
Topics
White House
(Getty Images/ Kevin Winter)
Actor Kal Penn, known for his roles in the "Harold and Kumar" movies and the television series "House," has been hired by the White House to serve as a liason between the administration and arts groups.

"I was incredibly honored a couple of months ago to get the opportunity to go work in the White House," Penn told Entertainment Weekly. "I got to know the president and some of the staff during the campaign and had expressed interest in working there, so I'm going to be the associate director in the White House office of public liaison."

"They do outreach with the American public and with different organizations," Penn continued. "They're basically the front door of the White House. They take out all of the red tape that falls between the general public and the White House. It's similar to what I was doing on the campaign."

The actor acknowledged that he would be taking a pay cut to take the job.

"There's not a lot of financial reward in these jobs," he said. "But, obviously, the opportunity to serve in a capacity like this is an incredible honor."

White House spokesman Shin Inouye confirmed to the Associated Press that Penn would join the White House staff. In addition to serving as a liason between arts groups and the administration, he will also work to connect the president to Asian-American and Pacific Islander communities.

Penn's start date has not yet been set. His character on "House" apparently committed suicide in last night's episode.

Add a Comment
by rustard April 8, 2009 5:51 PM EDT
Harold and kumar do the white house. does he cheat on his taxes like the rest of the administration? it seems to be a requirement for employment
Reply to this comment
by Porchsideview April 7, 2009 9:47 PM EDT
Comments such as 'This is the answer to unemployed actors - put them in the White House' and many of the other comments drive me to distraction with their uniformed banality.

I initially read the story because of having watched the episode, as a regular House viewer, liking the actor's job with the character, and also being an Obama supporter. The story does not surprise me, given Penn's participation in the President's inaugaration ceremony. (He did a reading). Not an earth shattering story, just a nice one. And a nice real life counterpoint to the writer's decision for the character do commit suicide. (As a clinical social worker, yes suicide is often a shock and surprise).

As a wife of an actor (who happens to be on the Board of Screen Actors Guild) I am aware of how much intelligence and hard work it takes to be an actor. Many of the Board members are highly educated, and have diverse degrees, ranging from architectural to law. But more to the point:

1. Kal Penn was fully employed at the time of the job offer. For anyone who has been employed (and acting is a job, with expectations, like showing up on time, etc) you should understand what might be involved in leaving a job, and taking a risk with another one. But then working in TV is fraught with risk. How easy do people really think it is? So this was not created as a jobs program for Kal Penn. Apparently none of the commentators have been ever offered a job while they were working at a job.
I respect Kal for taking this on, and giving up lucrative income.

2. Acting is a job, it is also an art form and a craft. Most actors not only do film or tv, but usually start out on the stage.
Film and theater acting is part of The Arts. Of course Kal would tell you that he is reading a writers lines (what you thought he made them up? or the character is a real person) and a director directs. Not to mention all of the other artists, crafts people, and business people involved. Frequently actors also have other creative talents and interests, such as writing or painting. As intelligent human beings, they also have diverse range of interests. They are people (duh). So as a creative member of the arts community, Kal will be a liaison with the Arts community, which is way more than just Hollywood.

3. For people who don't think the Arts is important (which includes theater, writing, plastic arts, dancing, music) then you are just not going to get it. From an academic standpoint, studies, and common sense show that the arts help improve achievement in other subjects. The Arts may also provide an important reason to stay in school or reach goals. But unfortunately these commentators seem to think that it a big joke, and certainly has nothing to do with work. (Because work should always be boring or routine). But more importantly enjoying arts as participants, or watching others, helps us to feel better, feel more alive.
I suppose the White House, and any government agency, should have nothing to do with something so important to life. (The Arts also provides substantial economic benefits, and I'm not talking about big money stars or producers).

The length of my response is the reflection of my annoyance with the general quality of comments on various boards.
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by janefondu April 7, 2009 9:09 PM EDT
cmc...... you are upside down on your opinion. It is the Republicans who don't pay taxes, The Democrats just don't pay the full 100%.
Posted by apple2pie

you are upside down on your opinion. It is the democrats that dont pay their taxes.
Reply to this comment
by starleo146 April 7, 2009 6:48 PM EDT
Instead of excluding everyone and everything except the little circle the last administration was known to have. At least this administration is reaching out to bring all into this country, and to once again to begin to feel how great this country can be.It will take awhile for the neocons who hate to realize all this.
Reply to this comment
by koikoi2-2009 April 7, 2009 2:58 PM EDT
Kutner committed suicide? Awww crap... thanks for the spoiler. Stupid TIVO
Reply to this comment
by cmc1227 April 7, 2009 2:54 PM EDT
Qualifications to be on the Obama staff:

1. Does not pay taxes

2. See #1
Reply to this comment
by jennasmith April 7, 2009 2:22 PM EDT
maybe he can change Obama's mind about legalizing marijuana!
Reply to this comment
by jessemalik April 7, 2009 2:06 PM EDT
article should have a spoiler alert
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