Politics

Updated April 07, 2009

'House' Actor Kal Penn Joins White House Staff

by  

AP

Penn's role will be to connect Obama with the Asian-American and Pacific Islander communities, as well as arts groups.

WASHINGTON -- The White House has hired actor Kal Penn as a liaison between President Obama's administration and Asian constituents. White House spokesman Shin Inouye said Tuesday that the actor who had a recurring role on Fox's TV show "House" and has starred in several movies would join the staff as an associate director in the Office of Public Liaison.

His role will be to connect Obama with the Asian-American and Pacific Islander communities, as well as arts groups.

Penn starred as Kumar in the movie, "Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay." His "House" character committed suicide in Monday's episode.

Penn backed Obama during the campaign. The White House says a start date for Penn hasn't been set.

The White House did not reveal what Penn would be paid. Aides with similar titles earned between $41,000 and $91,000 last year.

The hire was first reported by Entertainment Weekly.

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