Kal Penn Reports for D.C. Duty

Harold & Kumar star started work Monday at the the White House's Office of Public Engagement

By Natalie Finn Jul 06, 2009 11:20 PMTags
Kal PennAP Photo/Charles Dharapak

Kal Penn is writing his own ticket in Washington, D.C.

The 32-year-old actor, fresh from killing himself off of House, on Monday reported for his first day as an associate director in the White House's Office of Public Liaison, where he'll represent the Obama administration in matters concerning the arts community and the president's Asian-American constituents.

Penn has said that he's on a sabbatical from acting and will be devoting the next year or so to politics.

The New Jersey-born star of Harold & Kumar Escape From Guantanamo Bay will be going by his nonstage name, Kalpen Modi, while toiling on the Beltway.

"I expect to be treated just like any other staff member," he told reporters today. This morning, "I brushed my teeth. I did floss, used mouthwash...took the bus to work, same thing that everybody does."