Kal Penn does a complete 180 and crotch kick on us! The quote “don’t judge a book by it’s cover” just saved Kal Penn’s ass with us. By being typecasted in college humor-stoner-stereotypical Indian movies didn’t leave us with much interest in this actor, but after being fwd’d a email from a friend of Limite and dropping our jaws after reading. The Daily News newspaper reports that Penn has landed a job in the White House… yes the white White House!
Penn, will become associate director in the White House Office of Public Liaison, administration officials confirmed Tuesday. The Indian-American film star will be an emissary to the Asian-American and Pacific Islander communities, along with arts and entertainment groups.
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Penn explained why he decided to leave “House.” His character inexplicably committed suicide in an episode that aired Monday night.
“I was incredibly honored a couple of months ago to get the opportunity to go work in the White House,” Penn explained. “I got to know the President and some of the staff during the campaign and had expressed interest in working there.” Penn described the office as the “front door” of the White House, saying he’ll be responsible for doing outreach with the American public.
Penn acknowledged that ditching Hollywood for Washington comes with a massive pay cut. “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.”
As it turns out, Penn will not be working in the White House, per se. His office will be in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, located next to the West Wing and housing most of the White House staff.
A UCLA graduate, Penn has been taking courses in international security at Stanford University.
On the campaign trail, Kumar helped get actor friend Brendan Rough, aka Superman in “Superman Returns,” to stump for Obama. On occasion, they campaigned together.
Asked if he’s giving up acting, Penn replied, “Not necessarily.”
“Who’s to say where any path leads?” he said. “I still have a passion for it. But for the time being, I won’t be acting.”
