Kal Penn

About Kal Penn

Kalpen Suresh Modi (born April 23, 1977), known by his stage name Kal Penn, is an American actor, producer, and political activist.

He has had starring roles in the films National Lampoon's Van Wilder, Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle, The Namesake, Epic Movie, and Harold & Kumar Escape From Guantanamo Bay. His television credits include a recurring role on Day 6 of the series 24, and he currently plays Dr. Lawrence Kutner on the series House.

Penn was born with the name Kalpen Modi in Montclair, New Jersey, to a mother who worked as a fragrance evaluator for a perfume company; both of his parents are Indian and Hindu He attended middle school at Marlboro Middle School and played baritone saxophone in the jazz band there. Penn is an alumnus and graduate of Howell High School, which is part of the Freehold Regional High School District. He was active in the school's theater productions, and The Fine and Performing Arts Specialized Learning Center for three years. He attended UCLA, where he double majored in Film and Sociology.