Politics | Kal Penn '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 Posted Jul 6, 2009 4:50 PM CDT Copied 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) 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. Read These Next A well-known nutrition influencer died after a home birth. RFK Jr. offered his wife a fake separation. An 11-year-old died from a snake bite. His dad thought he was drunk. Knock on cockpit door triggers emergency landing. Report an error