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Kal Penn (born Kalpen Suresh Modi; April 23, 1977) is an American actor, producer, and civil servant. As an actor, he is known for his role portraying Dr. Lawrence Kutner on the television program ''House'', as well as the character Kumar Patel in the ''Harold & Kumar'' film series. He is also recognized for his performance in the critically acclaimed film, ''The Namesake''. Additionally, Penn has taught at the University of Pennsylvania in the Cinema Studies Program as a visiting lecturer. On April 8, 2009, it was announced that Penn would join the Obama administration as an Associate Director in the White House Office of Public Engagement.〔Ausiello, Michael (April 7, 2009). ("'House' exclusive: The shocking story behind last night's big death" ). ''Entertainment Weekly''. Retrieved 2009-04-07.〕 This necessitated that his TV character, Lawrence Kutner, be written out of ''House''.〔〔("It'll be the White House for Kal Penn now" ). Rediff.com, April 7, 2009. Retrieved 2009-04-07.〕 Penn resigned his post as Barack Obama's Associate Director of Public Engagement on June 1, 2010, for a brief return to his acting career. He filmed the third installment of the ''Harold & Kumar'' series, ''A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas'', and subsequently returned to the White House Office of Public Engagement as an Associate Director. In July 2011, he again left the White House to accept a role in the hit television series ''How I Met Your Mother.'' ==Early life== Penn was born in Montclair, New Jersey. His mother, Asmita, is a fragrance evaluator for a perfume company, and his father, Suresh Modi, is an engineer. Both of his parents are Gujarati immigrants from India.〔Chhabra, Aseem (April 22, 2005). (Kal Penn: Hollywood's Desi No1! ). ''Rediff.com''. Retrieved 2009-04-07.〕 He has stated that stories of his grandparents marching with Mahatma Gandhi for Indian independence were a significant influence on his interest in politics. He attended Marlboro Middle School in Marlboro Township, New Jersey, and played baritone saxophone in the jazz band there. Penn attended The Fine and Performing Arts Academy (a magnet program) at Howell High School for freshman year; he transferred to Freehold Township High School for sophomore, junior, and senior years; both schools are part of the Freehold Regional High School District. He was active in the schools' theater productions and competed on the Freehold Township forensics team. He graduated from UCLA in 2000, and double majored in film and sociology.〔 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Kal Penn」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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