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'Kumar' Begins White House Outreach Gig

Thespian won't accept acting gigs for a year or two while he focuses on politics

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 6, 2009 4:50 PM CDT

(Newser) – Kal Penn began work at the White House today, the Washington Post reports. The Harold and Kumar star, who later appeared on House, is the new associate director of the White House's Office of Public Engagement. Penn, 31, has committed to the job for a year or two, meaning he doesn't plan to take any acting gigs during that time.

Actor Kal Penn, left, stands with Michael Strautmanis, Assistant to the President, center, and senior adviser Valerie Jarrett, at the White House Easter Egg Roll, Monday, April 13, 2009.
Actor Kal Penn, left, stands with Michael Strautmanis, Assistant to the President, center, and senior adviser Valerie Jarrett, at the White House Easter Egg Roll, Monday, April 13, 2009.   (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
In this image provided by New Line Cinema, John Cho, left, and Kal Penn, are shown in a scene from New Line Cinema’s Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay.
In this image provided by New Line Cinema, John Cho, left, and Kal Penn, are shown in a scene from New Line Cinema’s "Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay".   (AP Photo/New Line Cinema, Jaimie Trueblood)
Actor Kal Penn poses on the press line at the FOX Networks Summer TCA party in Santa Monica, Calif. on Monday, July 14, 2008.
Actor Kal Penn poses on the press line at the FOX Networks Summer TCA party in Santa Monica, Calif. on Monday, July 14, 2008.   (AP Photo/Dan Steinberg)
Kal Penn poses in front of a movie poster as he arrives at the Los Angeles premiere of the film  Harold & Kumar: Escape from Guantanamo Bay, Thursday, April 17, 2008.
Kal Penn poses in front of a movie poster as he arrives at the Los Angeles premiere of the film "Harold & Kumar: Escape from Guantanamo Bay", Thursday, April 17, 2008.   (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 6 comments
justme
Jul 7, 2009 12:41 PM CDT
White House goes Hollywood? Haven't we already done that?
luluzz
Jul 7, 2009 8:03 AM CDT
Newser... lots of words saying nothing. Very important sounding dribble, a lot like Obama.
Newser001
Jul 7, 2009 3:46 AM CDT
Not quite sure why those on the right see compassion as a 'commie' trait? As a Centrist, I don't see eye to eye with either party on many occasions. Motivating younger demographics to be more compassionate, involved... I see nothing wrong with that call to action. Do you...?

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