Kal Penn on his memoir, "You Can't Be Serious"

How actor Kal Penn, the self-described "skinny Brown kid from New Jersey," became a star in the comedy "Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle" is as improbable a Hollywood story as was his leaving acting to work in the Obama White House. Correspondent Luke Burbank talks with Penn about confounding the expectations of his South Asian American family, and about Penn's candid new memoir, "You Can't Be Serious."
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[@hamzasyed]

My Gaydar totally missed him! I'm shooketh. Good for him, another fellow gay brown dude! ❤️

[@sairamsriram]

Shaken*

[@hamzasyed]

@@sairamsriram look up "shooketh" in the dictionary! Just make sure you're looking it up in the "urban dictionary". 😂

[@sairamsriram]

@@hamzasyed - will do. But remember, us brown bois shouldn't mess around with Grammar.

[@hamzasyed]

Well, I'm not just brown but also queer and we make our own vocabulary which the world steals. WERK. FIERCE. YAS QUEEN. Maybe also watch "Paris is Burning". 😍

[@sairamsriram]

@@hamzasyed - you sure do 😊

[@sezzyridge]

Ive always loved his work. I'm really happy for him and his husband ♥️

[@treek10k]

Ew

[@kwonk5298]

@@treek10k What do you mean ew?

[@LucareonVee]

@@treek10k With a tongue like that, you should be happy. 😘😘

[@intheory9772]

Hearing of his engagement makes me very happy for him. I enjoy his comedic roles, but I absolutely love his dramatic roles. He was an amazing staple on "House", and I was actually heartbroken when his character committed suicide. I had no idea he left acting to go and work for The White House. Mad respect. Kal and his partner deserve all the happiness and all the best things that the world has to offer, and I thank him for all the entertainment he has provided me for so many years. Right on! Edit: If you read this comment please read the first comment in this thread for a very nice short story about Kal, from a very nice young lady. Her comment deserves the likes my comment has gotten.

[@anavrodriguez2502]

I worked at a caribou coffee by the White House during the Obama administration and he would come in almost daily to get a large darkroast and a blueberry muffin 🙂. Very nice guy but very quiet. One day a customer in line turned to him and said “hey! Ur famous!” He looked down at the floor smiling and said “I used to be”

[@intheory9772]

@@anavrodriguez2502 Awe/Aww! What a beautiful and sweet short story, and how lucky you are to have been there to bear witness. Thank you so much for sharing this once in a lifetime experience with me, and may all your days be filled with love and laughter. Edit: You should put your comment out there. It is an interesting story, and you deserve all the likes I'm getting. I'm not a point counter and I don't really care for likes or dislikes. I only speak my mind. It just doesn't seem fair that your wonderful comment is being overlooked.🤍

[@vvthetalentlessduo6976]

Yep love kal penn

[@untamednme869]

Thanks for spoiling it

[@jillcnc]

When I saw the first "Harold and Kumar" movie I thought "This guy is going to be the Indian Tom Hanks." He had the same charm, easy relatability, and comfort in his own skin that Hanks has always had. It's a mark of both his own character by taking a break for public service, and the ugly reality of the entertainment industry that made "the Indian Tom Hanks" seem not a viable thing. I'm glad he's working again; by me he's STILL the Indian Tom Hanks. And oh, by the way, if you've never seen "The Namesake", find it. It is a wonderful film, he is great in it and so is the late, great Irrfan Khan.

[@ellecaledonia348]

I love that film!!! Irrfan Khan is magnificent!

[@Timotimo101]

Charming man! Congratulations on everything so wonderful in your life!

[@pottergirl287]

I know Kal from Designated Survivor, of which my mom and I were avid watchers all the way from the beginning to Netflix. What a tremendous success story! I wish him happiness in his life and career(s)!

[@USA50_]

Congrats man ❤️ 👬 Happy 11th anniversary! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@minigiant8998]

why the flags?

[@supermilkguy]

He’s so handsome!

[@sunshine3914]

His voice is so intriguing to me. I could listen to him nonstop.

[@queennoneya601]

I thought he was the actor that played in a movie with issa raye.

[@manlymen552]

The first time I saw this dude was in Van Wilder.....then he became the legend that is Kumar

[@danielveiga7909]

His role on the SVU episode was one of his best acting roles

[@devilish2565]

This is the guy who got Apu removed from the Simpsons, He does take things seriously.

[@owingsmillss]

Nice :I know many people have been impacted by his Sucess his work and his choices

[@pridan94]

Am i the only gay guy who was surprised by his relationship. I honestly never saw this.

[@D4n1t0o]

Dude, he totally bypassed my gaydar. Still struggling to see it, honestly.

[@nickbarcheck1019]

Nope. I'm a gay dude and had no clue. Which is a good thing.

[@Nozverah2]

You free to txt? I'm straight looking to dabble

[@pridan94]

@@Nozverah2 lol. Ok

[@pridan94]

@@D4n1t0o yeah.

[@andressamarielima9241]

I got a REAL STRONG gaydar and I totally didn’t get this one!!!! Lol!!! What in the world!!!! Hahah. I love him.

[@Jemz35]

SAME lol. I was shocked

[@ZeeshanJamal-dm9jy]

His way of facial expression, the way he talks is so straight that there's no way to know if he is gay.

[@vvthetalentlessduo6976]

Yep me too but happy for him

[@TheKayaklover]

@@ZeeshanJamal-dm9jy YOU are an IDIOT!!!!

[@minigiant8998]

@@vvthetalentlessduo6976 "Yep me too *BUT* happy for him"

[@EagleRockers]

Bravo!

[@curtismichael4703]

I had no ideal but I wanna read his book!

[@jordan12118]

Congratulations to Kal

[@artbyamitabhakta]

Like his work.👏🏼

[@andrewhavens5685]

The memoir is great by the way, super down to Earth

[@tyleryoung9063]

I realized that when he was in that high school, that is my school!!!

[@yvmz]

He’s actually my Nephew

[@TheExperiencedMonkey_]

What grade are you in

[@MrMelgibstein]

It's great Kal Penn found the man he always wished for.

[@willybellido4342]

Hello I just read this please do not paste my username because it will stay forever I agree I am glad Kal Penn found the man he wanted he deserves being happy being with a man I love Kal Penn he is an attractive handsome homosexual hot gay man.

[@Biofan813]

He’s Phenomenal on Designated Survivor.

[@marmac83]

Good for him

[@ilovecomplicated9018]

I'm just glad Kutner got his happy ending in the end but also that title reminds me of John McEnroe book

[@23sexycutie]

I'm very proud of him coming out. I never knew he ever had a boyfriend.

[@vkar1907]

Congrats on the engagement! Happy for every gay person to come out! However honestly, this was a shocker!:) With him it seems like a straight guy is having a phase in his life... As other gay people said here.. he passes 100% as straight. So it is VERY surprising to say the least:) But it is his life so happy for him if he is happy.

[@nickbarcheck1019]

He said it was a later in life discovery which is cool. Everyone's different. I knew I was gay when I was 11 lol.

[@BiggieSmalls946]

I'm proud of him. I loved Watching him in comedy movies in the 2000s. Reminds me of Seth Rogan

[@Whiteboytripping]

I am serious… and don’t call me Shirley.

[@nickbarcheck1019]

Congrats man. Happy for you. And jealous. Your fiance is fine af.

[@AxeKick80]

Wait, Kalpen is JUST his first name?! 🤯

[@robbibubnj]

Yes. I’ve known that for decades. His name is Kalpen Moda ( there’s a middle name in there too). He shortened it for the entertainment industry as soooo many others have. He’s still the kid from Montclair NJ who made it big. :-)

[@shalinikr280]

@@robbibubnj it's Modi

[@remained1]

The cockmeat sandwich scene is funnier now !

[@marcorios186]

Who still has the escape from Guantanamo Bay movie on dvd with the extended edition where u can change the plot lol.

[@MrAllmightyCornholioz]

SHIVA BLESS KAL PENN!

[@romstar]

He has Nick Offerman’s voice!!🙏😘😝

[@kevinmcguire5696]

If Harold and Kumar were in Hoboken, how they did they miss the WhiteCastle in Jersey City on JFK Boulevard??

[@maxtheknife]

Congratulations! Always happy to see men of color who are out & proud! You will save many lives!

[@jackjames1]

Kumar wrote a memoir...😄

[@OwlCapone8630]

Coming out was the way to promote/sell his book.

[@JWCreatesArt]

So happy to count this handsome, talented man among my gay brothers...totally slipped under my gaydar! Now THAT's great acting!! 😍

[@Orangeflava]

3:21 how do they speak “without accents”? Everyone who speaks has an accent, don’t they?

[@MarcosIsABaritone]

I think we're to infer they meant South Asian accents.

[@Orangeflava]

@@MarcosIsABaritone presumably, yup

[@stephaniereed3248]

@@MarcosIsABaritone Indians are South Asian

[@MarcosIsABaritone]

@@stephaniereed3248 Thank you! Corrected.

[@MK-uw8qt]

I would have never in a million years thought he was gay. I feel like he came out later because all of the conservative talk of diminishing the importance of coming out got to him. One of the biggest fear of homophobes is a LGBTQ person coming out of the closet and discussing their sexuality.

[@armandoucles5346]

Not in my wildest dreams did I ever think Kal Penn would ever be gay. I don't care what he does in his personal life, it's none of my business. But it's still kinda shocking to see that. But congratulations on his engagement.

[@MK-uw8qt]

@@armandoucles5346 yeah congrats to Kal, and I'm happy he came out gay too :) I would've never guessed he was gay either, that's why coming out is important.

[@nvkulk]

I never thought Liberace was gay either !

[@minigiant8998]

@@nvkulk and i never thought you were gay, either!

[@steveconn]

The Harold and Kumar movies got tedious but bet he has great stories from inside the Obama WH.

[@ellenmuseum]

Asking if it was surreal where he is today, does he ask other actors that?

[@excxmoody]

Who cares he was great in those movies.

[@graffiti9145]

Who cares, he was great in those movies* ONE single comma can much such a big difference

[@excxmoody]

@@graffiti9145 ever since years ago or trying to come out to an ex...have been struggling at times when it comes to grammar, punctuation. Not easy to settle down after all I went through in court. He was however great in those movies.

[@lonestarfriend]

I didn’t know he was gay until today. 🙂 Nice.

[@autumnphillips151]

Not necessarily gay. Why do people always say that someone must be gay as soon as they find out about a same-sex partner? Bi erasure is disgusting. Kal has not identified himself as gay. How do you think it makes bi people feel when you always assume that someone is straight or gay?

[@JunKurosu]

@@autumnphillips151 he said himself he's gay so shout your homophobic trapp

[@rencaplizor9041]

@@autumnphillips151 I don’t think that was the intention here. They probably meant to use the term gay in general sense to describe someone being attracted to the same gender. I wouldn’t necessarily call that bi erasure. Calm down. If someone mentions bi-lesbian tho then that would be a different story.

[@autumnphillips151]

@@JunKurosu No, he didn’t, so shut your biphobic trap.

[@autumnphillips151]

@@rencaplizor9041 Intention doesn’t matter. Actions matter. Assuming that someone couldn’t be bi even though they’ve never identified as straight or gay or anything else is bi erasure.

[@masonstarship56]

No big deal that he is gay no big deal live your life that’s what matters live your life

[@ronnyofthenorthsky595]

I think he's doing Method

[@HHH-ye1ro]

Wonderful story, and I’m glad that it wasn’t all about his sexuality. Hopefully, we will come to a day when a persons sexuality is not even a portion of the story. His journey was interesting enough without that.

[@gourd88888]

Enough for spicy curry it's time for white tangy sauce.

[@MarcosIsABaritone]

?

[@myopinion4724]

The host said the reality of Hollywood set in 🤣😂 or is it more like the reality of racist people sat in? 🤣🤣🤣

[@pMcgov56]

He looks.like a guy who liked and ate too much White Castle.

[@jenshiersemann9328]

You are a C you Next Tuesday

[@pMcgov56]

@@jenshiersemann9328 In keeping with the fast food theme I will gladly pay you next Tuesday for a hamburger today.

[@christinacascadilla4473]

This must be the week they decided to do stories that were advertisements for their own products. All hail synergy!

[@davanmani556]

As long as it’s Jane’s.

[@clinthammer965]

Is 'coming out' the same as the sun coming up every day? Because I saw the face that the sun was going to come up, too.

[@MarcosIsABaritone]

This needs to be rewritten.

[@violetjebraily9120]

Who cares why we should know anyway why he is proud of that ? 😎😎😎😎

[@trapez77]

So you audition for a role of someone with an accent and instead of requesting that they give it to someone with the accent you get mad that they don’t change it to your normal accent and your so upset about that then you go audition for and play Taj in van wilder the most offensive stereotypical Indian and then do a spin-off sequel. He didn’t try to avoid stereotypical roles at all he specifically went after them and proudly played those offensive roles . Take some responsibility and stop blaming others.

[@hpb5495]

Well isn't that special..

[@RAINBOWNATE]

Sorry ladies I know you thought he was 100 percent straight. but he gay. but his voice don’t sound gay he sound more straight.Look I’m gay. I sound straight look straight but I’m gay. I support him. all the way.

[@ArthurCSchaper]

Harold and Kumar go to White Castle…. That film made Kalpen a movie star? Give me a break! That was a crappy movie!

[@Slice2099]

Yeah you’re on drugs

[@lewstone5430]

That’s why it was referred to as a ‘cult’ classic.

[@OzoneGamerStation]

Lol someone’s mad

[@ArthurCSchaper]

@@lewstone5430 Nah, at this point it's just a cult.

[@ArthurCSchaper]

NAILED IT!

[@queennoneya601]

What's this coming out business? It implies he was hiding something.

[@gregXxo]

He didn't come out, he announced his engagement

[@queennoneya601]

@@gregXxo Thanks.

[@kylegrunden1191]

Your implying they implied they were hiding somthing . Not everything has to be taken so offensively. Like his book said don't be so serious .

[@naveenkachhap]

with the way women are these days, no wonder every other guy is falling in love with another guy. 😂

[@gregXxo]

Lot less drama

[@charmy001]

There will be drama with most people. Regardless of gender.

[@ericvil600]

Hahahaa

[@ralphrodgers353]

ha ha KNEW IT.. sad

[@MarcosIsABaritone]

Why sad?

[@hanssolos3699]

kinda strange that he became gay while working at white house.

[@MarcosIsABaritone]

So silly.

[@LucareonVee]

Actually, he became gay when he was in the womb. 😋

[@kingsnake23]

Kumar, I'm a little disappointed in you.

[@LucareonVee]

Tough. 😘😘

[@shalshah]

Gujus aren't supposed to be gay!! It's a shame what Hollywood does to people!

[@LucareonVee]

LMAO, you think Hollywood can change a person’s sexual orientation? 🤣🤣🤣 Bad news for you, pookums. 😘😘

[@skymcmillan165]

He don't strike me as gay

[@kylegrunden1191]

What a cleaver way to advertise a book in today's day and age. I might just do a reverse in the closet. I'll pretend to be gay and once I milk it online, I'll come out as straight. That would probably be the biggest decrease in followers ever in the history fo Instagram 💀

[@MarcosIsABaritone]

We should always be wary of being too pleased with what we think is clever.

[@brenthaugen1270]

LETS GO BRANDON!

[@misterkrogan8837]

Nooooooooooo. Not kumar!!!! 🤢🤢🤢🤢🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮

[@LucareonVee]

Cry, homophobe. 😋

[@misterkrogan8837]

@@LucareonVee 🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮 Disgusting.

[@LucareonVee]

@@misterkrogan8837 😘😘

[@christianpethukov8155]

Another celeb giving into an insatiable urge for 🐓. Disappointing. Might be a calculated career move. 😉

[@goinggoinggone535]

Ahh, yes. First, be in a b list movie. Then stop acting to go work in the White House. Then meet the love of your life there and announce 11 years later you're getting married, that old tired Hollywood schtick... Idiot.

[@christianpethukov8155]

@@goinggoinggone535 Sorry I don't share your enthusiasm! What was the point of anything you said?? It was a joke. Reeeeeee......

[@goinggoinggone535]

@@christianpethukov8155 Apology accepted.

[@OwlCapone8630]

Came out to use the being crooked thing to sell/promote his book.... pathetic!!!

[@neptunesism]

I pray that everyone come to Jesus Christ to repent and be saved.

[@CB-kw9we]

I’ll never watch any movie with him again. Not even American. That’s why our healthcare is so expensive. Then spreading aides. Omg

[@leohaddad6106]

Troll

[@goinggoinggone535]

Does it hurt being that stupid?

[@nwilson120]

He is American; he was born in New Jersey.

[@josephmendoza5806]

he was born in New Jersey so yes he is American.

[@robbibubnj]

Good. Don’t. That’s your right. Bye.

[@JessicaTheEngineer]

I really don’t think straight men exist anymore. So sad for straight women just wanting a nice husband to have a family with. 😥😥😥

[@JunKurosu]

Lol so not true

[@Squeakypickles619]

Lmfao Straight men are alive and damn well Don't let the media fool you into thinking otherwise We never went anywhere.

[@nickbarcheck1019]

Gay men are something like 2% of the entire population. What are you talking about?

[@JessicaTheEngineer]

@@nickbarcheck1019 surveys have been done every Decade and it’s been increasing every year as it’s become more acceptable. Last one performed said 12% of young men. The girls in my neighborhood that babysit for me (14 and 15 years old) said it’s like about half the boys in their grades. They both looked so sad when telling me about it. Its trendy at this point and It just keeps rising.

[@nickbarcheck1019]

@@JessicaTheEngineer Maybe you're right. You don't become gay because it's trendy. Either you are attracted to someone or you aren't.