Kal Penn joins White House

Kal Penn, Indian American star of Mira Nair’s The Namesake and a long time supporter of US President Barack Obama, is joining the White House as a liaison between the administration and Asian constituents. Born Kalpen Suresh Modi to Indian immigrant parents from Gujarat, the 31-year old actor who had a recurring role on Fox’s popular TV show “House” would join the White House staff as an associate director in the Office of Public Liaison, CNN reported.

Penn, who plays American-born Gogol, the son of Indian immigrants, wanting to fit in among his fellow New Yorkers, despite his family’s unwillingness to let go of their traditional ways, will in his new role connect Obama with the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities, as well as arts groups. Apart from The Namesake, Penn has had starring roles in the films National Lampoon’s Van Wilder, Epic Movie, and Harold and Kumar Escape From Guantanamo Bay. Penn endorsed Obama’s White House bid in late 2007, and was a frequent campaign surrogate on the trail last year. The White House says a start date for Penn hasn’t been set. The White House did not reveal what Penn would be paid.

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