LA, Nov. 27, 2006
Ramesh Sethi

Kal Penn ( actual name Kalpen Modi)) was born on April 23, 1977 in Montclair, New Jersey of Gujarati NRI parents. He became popular for his starring role in Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle and Where's the Party, Yaar?

In 1995, he moved to Los Angeles and worked on several films, including two American Desi-2001 and 2003, Where's The Party Yaar?.

He studied at UCLA's prestigious School of Theater, Film and Television. His first professional acting gig was in the short film, Express: Aisle to Glory (1988). A small part in the indie film, Freshmen (1999) followed. In 1999 he broke into television with a regular role in Brookfield, written by Josh Schwartz (who went on to create The O.C.) and a guest shot on Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Kal Penn will play the lead role in MGM Studios' new comedy "National Lampoon's Van Wilder: The Rise of Taj", opening in theatres across North America on Dec 1, 2006

While an old enemy plots to render him powerless once and for all, Superman faces the heartbreaking realization that the woman he loves, Lois Lane, has moved on with her life. Or has she? Superman’s bittersweet return challenges him to bridge the distance between them while finding a place in a society that has learned to survive without him.

In 2004, when Kal Penn was promoting Harold And Kumar Go To White Castle- a hilarious film about two drugged-up Asian buddies in search of the perfect small size hamburgers, known as sliders- he made the customary appearance on the Jay Leno show.

As the audience laughed and Leno looked shocked, Penn narrated a tale of a casting agent who had asked him why he was not wearing a turban.

"Are you serious?" Leno asked, as Penn continued to narrate what appeared to be his ultimate stereotype audition experience.

Today, Penn stands by his story,"That was true," says Penn

"It was the first audition I went on in Los Angeles for a commercial. I walked into the audition and the casting director said 'Where's your turban?' I said, 'I don't wear a turban; I am not a Sikh.'

I started to explain the difference but she got very upset and said, 'Well, can you go home and put on a bed sheet or something?'

"It is a true story. It was ridiculous, which is why I like telling it." Penn's days of being asked to wear turbans and perform stereotypical roles are past him.