Washington (CNN) – The White House isn't confirming a report that actor Kal Penn is leaving the Obama administration.
Entertainment Weekly reported Friday that Penn, best known for his roles in the "Harold and Kumar" films and on the popular medical drama "House, M.D." is leaving the White House.
Penn, whose real name is Kalpen Modi, has spent much of the past year working in the White House Office of Public Liaison, which is run by Obama senior adviser Valerie Jarrett.
EW.com reported that the actor is returning to Hollywood to resume his acting career, starting with a Christmas-themed installation of the "Harold and Kumar" series.
Despite the report, the White House press office isn't saying much about Penn's plans.
"Mr. Modi is honored to serve in this Administration and has no announcements to make about his tenure here at this point," White House spokesman Shin Inouye told CNN.
Penn, a long-time Obama supporter, endorsed Obama's White House bid in late 2007, and was a frequent surrogate on the campaign trail.
Entertainment Weekly shares the same parent company as CNN.
- CNN's Kate Bolduan contributed to this report
From CNN Politics
© 2012 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
| Advertising practices | Advertise with us | About us | Work for us | Help
Even the quitter knows that Hollywood pays better. You can't keep them down once they have their names in Hollywood lights.
Before the lunatics get started, I recall him saying that he was doing this stint with the White House for ONE YEAR.
The year is up. Thank you for your generous service, see you on DVD.
I'm sorry, but how is this news?
Rats desert a sinking ship.
Every single person in the Obama Administration---and every single liberal Democrat currently in office---are actors---as they are acting when they say that they are doing what is right for US citizens and our country.
huh, leaving a lousy administration to go make more lousy films
Great guy. Another Harold and Kumar movie sounds like a plan...looking forward to more laughs.
Position should have never gone to a Hollywood wannabe.
I never liked him anyway. I stopped watching House when he and the other new interns showed up for work.
Maybe he'll return to House...loved him there.
Guess he's tired of being around all those bad actors in the White House including the star Barry.
Oh good. He's going to do something more respectable.
Too bad; maybe he didn't like the joke about the island of Guam tipping over and capsizing, being followed with scorn rather than laughs.
seems about right...since Obozo is an imposter too
Won't that leave the white house empty?????
brian, your boy bush was really great. he killed hundreds of thousands of people and wasted US soldiers lives. He also screwed up the economy, but you haven't noticed. I love hillbillies.
Maybe they can replace him with the actor that plays the young, cute, do nothing lazy employee on the "The Office". I like him and think he would be a good ceelbrity/actor to work as a goverment leader.
Well, he can't go back to House because they had his character commit suicide. And I never saw the Harry and Kumar films because they just looked so stupid. But he's a decent actor so I'm sure he'll find some roles.
I only wish Reagan had gone back to Hollywood instead of staying in politics. Maybe then we wouldn't have this lunatic right wing fringe who think he was God.
FYI: Karl Penn himself stated from the beginning his plans were to work for President Obama one year and that's exactly what he's done. We look forward to him returning in 2012.
Good luck Kal.I see that little Rush Limbaugh wannabe punk is still here everyday,spewing hate.I hope hes being watched.
Hollywood is now in charge of America isn't that great
Who cares liberalism is a mental disorder
I seen this dude on Escape from Gitmo he's a stoner with bad karma thats why he's leaving to protect the presidents credibility .
Say what you want, you right-wing wackos, but he's smarter, and a better actor, than your looney boy Stephen Baldwin.
When the insiders start to depart a sinking ship, it speaks volumes.