The actor Kal Penn, known for his roles in movies such as Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle and in television on House, will join the Obama team as an associate director in the Office of Public Liaison, said White House spokesman Shin Inouye. Penn will not be acting while he is working at the White House, Inouye said.
Penn, who is of Indian descent, will be connecting President Barack Obama with the Asian American and Pacific Islander community and with arts groups such as the Southern Arts Federation and the New England Foundation for the Arts, Inouye said.
Penn was an ardent supporter of Obama during the presidential campaign. He visited Penn State in September and November and canvassed with students.
