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
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At least now he will be doing something productive...like giving us another Harold & Kumar movie....
I guess politics isn't everything he was expecting.
Wow, that didn't last long. I guess liberalism is a lot easier when you've got a steady paycheck coming in.
I hope he realizes that unemployment is at 12% and when the census workers get laid off he'll have an even harder time looking for work.
And who really cares?
This guy was and isn't much of an actor; I doubt if he had anything of any significance to contribute to President Obama's team...
Poor Kumar, I guess that hopey-changey thing didn't quite work out.
who is Penn really?
I love the Harold and Kumar movies. I bet he's leaving because Obama is spending more money on the drug war after saying he was for decriminalization during the campaign.
Gotta make the money.
What did they expect when they hired an actor? That person is not going to stick around long when they get 'past' the ideas of grandure, and figure out it's a real job. Not when they can go back to making movies and the 'big-bucks.' Hire people that actually went to school for those types of jobs, not people that are just 'popular.'
He is AMAZING! I am glad he is coming back to acting
Kal Penn should have had a more public position. He is a fun actor and probably should go back to acting.
We don't want any more actors around the White House. The last one was a complete disaster!
So what, one actor departing the white house leaves the rest of the hive of actors. It is a good start though...
Preston kathy come on cnn who cares im sure thatsthe last thing the dems care about
OK with me. He needs to move on. Often the realities of life & work are different than what we imagine. Penn needs to be happy & satisfy himsel.
Maybe he finally came to his senses.
The honest way to go make some more money, good for Penn. What a breath of fresh air.
Tired of hanging out with all those bad actors huh?
Expect him to win an oscar now, he has learned how to act and pretend to be what you are not by the best in the world at it.
Well done. Whatever your reasons for leaving, you utilized an opportunity, and you are a much better person for it.