KAL PENN
Actor
This year is proving to be one of Kal Penn's most successful and demanding ones yet. Kal recently returned from Romania and London where he filmed the title role in VAN WILDER: RISE OF THE TAJ (MGM/December 1 2006). Kal has just begun filming his new role on the hit Fox drama series 24 (January 2007) opposite Kiefer Sutherland and recently wrapped his starring role in the newest film by the writer and director of the "Scary Movie" empire, EPIC MOVIE (January 26, 2006). Penn was also recently in India where he had an incredible experience filming THE NAMESAKE (FOX Searchlight, March 9, 2006), based on the novel by Pulitzer Prize winner Jhumpa Lahiri and directed by Mira Nair (Vanity Fair, Monsoon Wedding). The film deals with issues that many immigrants around the world face on a daily basis, trying to discover their identity when they are forced to grow up in two worlds simultaneously and having to choose which world they ultimately want.
Also in this last year, Kal was in Australia, where he filmed SUPERMAN RETURNS (Warner Brothers),
directed by Bryan Singer (X2: X-Men United, X-Men, The Usual Suspects), along side Kevin Spacey
and Kate Bosworth.
Released in 2005, Kal starred in A LOT LIKE LOVE (Buena Vista) alongside Ashton Kutcher and Amanda Peet. He has also since been recently nominated for an MTV Movie Award for his role as "Kumar" in HAROLD AND KUMAR GO TO WHITE CASTLE (New Line) alongside John Cho. Kal also shined playing the best friend and co-worker, "Jorge", to Jamie Kennedy's character "Tim Avery" in SON OF THE MASK (New Line).
Kal is also making a name for himself on the Indie film circuit. He plays "Bobby" in Victory Productions ARRANGEMENT and El Camino Pictures SUENO. He can also be seen in 2005's DANCING IN TWILIGHT (Luminous Galaxy Productions Inc.) with Mimi Rogers and Erik Avari and 2003's AMERICAN MADE (Hypnotic).
Kal will forever be remembered for his hilarious role as "Taj" opposite Ryan Reynolds and Tara Reid
in the comedy NATIONAL LAMPOON'S VAN WILDER (Artisan Entertainment). In addition, Kal starred in
LOVE DON'T COST A THING (Warner Bros.), and urban re-make of the 80's hit comedy CAN'T BUY MY LOVE,
alongside Christina Milian and Steve Harvey. Kal was also seen in MALIBU'S MOST WANTED (Warner Bros.)
opposite Jamie Kennedy. Kal's additional feature film credits include Eros Entertainment's AMERICAN DESI
and Tom Huang's FRESHMAN.
After his supporting role in the Emmy Award winning HBO Films comedy EXPRESS: AISLE TO GLORY (1999), Kal went to work on episodes of "Spin City", "Buffy the Vampire Slayer", "Sabrina the Teenage Witch" and the Steve Harvey Show." During the 1999-2000 TV season, Kal was a series regular on the ABC/Touchstone pilot "Brookfield" produced by the Shepard-Robin Company. During the 2001-2002 TV season Kal had guest spots on "NYPD Blue", "The Agency", "Angel" and "That's Life."
Kal was born and raised in New Jersey which allowed him to train extensively in theatre all over the
metropolitan New York area. His most memorable experiences include working with the George Street
Playhouse, The Atlantic Theatre Company, The New Jersey Governor's School of the Arts and Rutger's
University Summer Arts Institute.
When Kal graduated from the Freehold Regional High School District's Performing Arts High School, he was accepted into the prestigious School of Theater, Film and Television at the University of California Los Angeles. During his time at UCLA, Kal continued to build his body of work in film and television both inside and outside of the classroom.
Kal currently divides his time between New York and Los Angeles.
