Apr 23, 1977

Montclair, New Jersey, USA

Kal Penn (born Kalpen Modi on April 23, 1977) is an American actor. He may be best known for his starring role in Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle and Where's the Party, Yaar?

Penn was born in Montclair, New Jersey of Gujarati Indian ancestry. He is a graduate of Howell High School and The Fine and Performing Arts Specialized Learning Center. He is a graduate of University of California, Los Angeles where he double majored in Film and Sociology. While at UCLA, Kal was a founding member of th... ... (read more...) e underground intellectual society, "6 South." Due to creative differences the group disbanded but are currently considering a reunion.

Penn's feature film debut came in 1998 in Express: Aisle to Glory. He has since appeared in American Desi, National Lampoon's Van Wilder, Malibu's Most Wanted, A Lot Like Love, Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle, Dude, Where's the Party?, Love Don't Cost a Thing and Superman Returns and will be a part of the upcoming The Namesake, Harold & Kumar Go to Amsterdam, and National Lampoon's Van Wilder: The Rise of Taj.

Penn was featured in the The Lonely Island's rejected Awesometown MTV pilot music video, along with his friend Brandon Routh (who played Superman in Superman Returns). Penn also played one of Lex Luthor's Henchmen in Superman Returns.

In January 2007, Penn will appear in a recurring role as a villain in the sixth season of 24.