Kal Penn Wife, Family, Girlfriend, Education, Gay, Height, Biography

Kalpen Suresh Modi's Net Worth as of November 2024 is $10 Million

Quick Facts of Kalpen Suresh Modi

Better known professionally as Kal Penn, Kalpen Modi is an Indian-American actor, producer, college instructor, and former US government official. As an actor, Kal is well-known for his role as Kumar Patel in the Harold & Kumar comedy film series.

On the small screen, he is also known for his role as Lawrence Kutner in the Fox medical drama House.

The former civil servant took a brief hiatus from his acting career from 2009-to 2010 during which he served under the former US President‘s administration.

He also served in the United States President’s Committee of Arts and Humanities from 2013 to 2017. In 2016, the talented actor was cast in the role of Seth Wright in the 2-season-long ABC political drama Designated Survivor.

Kal Penn Biography (Education)

Kal Penn was born Kalpen Suresh Modi on April 23, 1977, in Montclair, New Jersey. He had his early education at Marlboro Middle School in Marlboro Township, New Jersey, and his high school education as a Theater major at Howell High School but later transferred to Freehold Township High School.

His college education was at UCLA’s School of Theatre, Film, and Television. He graduated in 2000 with a double major in film and sociology.

In 1998, Kal Penn made his film debut in the short comedy film Express: Aisle to Glory followed by 2001’s Indian-inspired film American Desi. 

He further cut his teeth in the comedy genre with roles in films like Van Wilder (2002), Malibu’s Most Wanted (2003), Dude, Where’s the Party? (2003), Love Don’t Cost a Thing (2003) among several others.

In 2004, Kal Penn scored his breakthrough role as Kumar Patel opposite (Harold) in the first Harold & Kumar film. The role has since snowballed into a multi-film series with Penn maintaining his lead role.

The talented actor also portrayed the lead character in the critically-acclaimed film The Namesake (2006) for which he received the 2007 Asian Excellence Award for Outstanding Actor.

Penn joined the cast of the Fox medical drama series House in 2007 playing the role of Dr. Lawrence Kutner.

After 2 seasons on House, he took a hiatus from acting following his appointment to public service under President Obama’s administration. He later returned to the show in a guest role in its 2012 series finale.

Kal Penn had a recurring role as Kevin in How I Met Your Mother season 7. He was also on the main cast of the political drama Designated Survivor starring White House speechwriter Seth Wright.

In addition to acting, Kal Penn has equally been successful as a public servant serving under his birth name Kalpen Modi. Back in 2008, he served as a college instructor for Asian American studies at the University of Pennsylvania.

In 2009, he was appointed to serve in President Barack Obama’s administration as Associate Director of the White House Office of Public Engagement.

Following Obama’s successful reelection, Kal was appointed in November 2013 to serve as a member of the President’s Committee of Arts and Humanities. Penn resigned from the position in August 2017 alongside other members of the committee.

What did Kal Penn do at the White House?

Kal Penn almost didn’t get his gig at the White House due to his one big mistake which is he didn’t get himself up to go after a Job along with the White House. He again worked with the campaign trail and finally decided to fill an online application.

Did Kal Penn write a book?

Kal Penn released a book named “You Can’t Be Serious” in 2020 which is about consequential, awkward, and ridiculous stories from his life. It is all about being a grandson and son of immigrant Guardians. People who came to America and gone too far in their life.

On every page, with Kal’s humor, and charm, he has reflected the most exasperating as well as rewarding moments from his journey.

Kal Penn’s Family and Background

Kal Penn was born in the United States to Asmita and Suresh Modi. His father worked as an engineer while his mother was a consultant for a perfume company.

Both of his parents were Indian immigrants from the western Indian state of Gujarat. Growing up, Kal Penn regularly visited India and as a result, he speaks his native Gujarati language with a fair degree of fluency.

Wife, Partner, or Girlfriend; Is Kal Penn Gay?

A famous actor Kal Penn has revealed and confirmed that he is gay and he is engaged to his long-time partner Josh Marlar. The couple was dating each other for 11 years. They met each other while Kal used to live in Washington D.C. where he worked for Obama Administration.

Kal’s partner Josh is one of the well-known personalities of America as he is a renowned media personality, celebrity business partner, and entrepreneur.

What is the Net worth of Kal Penn?

A famous American actor, as well as civil servant Kal Penn, has a net worth of $10 million as of the year 2022.

Kal Penn’s Height and Body Measurements

Kal stands at a height of 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm) and maintains a bodyweight of 78kg (172 lb). The bonafide Hollywood hunk has maintained a trim physique over the years and, has indeed aged like fine wine. His body measurements are 45-15-32 inches (114-38-81 cm).

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