Kal Penn On Life After 'Harold And Kumar'

Kal Penn's career took off after 'Harold and Kumar go to White Castle,' but he struggled to find a job after his breakthrough role, even Jamba Juice wouldn't hire him. His new show 'Sunnyside' airs on NBC Thursday nights at 9:30 p.m. ET.
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Kal Penn On Life After 'Harold And Kumar'

[@authenticapparel1906]

He has to have literally the worst agent ever

[@thatguyfromsandiego2660]

Not really, he’s in an classic comedy that will live on through stoners just like Dazed and Confused. Then he lands a major role on House. I’d say he’s done quite well considering where he started.

[@gedaman]

His agent told him to change his name to Kal Penn from Kalpen Modi. That advice got him a lot more roles.

[@thatguyfromsandiego2660]

Gedaman Interesting, definitely sounds cooler and more appealing. Same kinda thing happened with Willem Dafoe by someone mispronouncing his name he just went with it and he’s got one of the most recognizable names in Hollywood.

[@Johno1992]

How so? First flick I ever saw him in he was in search of one American pink taco stand

[@Sin.Atonement]

Why? You don't realize how big something is going to be until after it's done, from the first one they had 2 more after it.

[@Kevo1993]

The world needs another Harold and Kumar movie!!!

[@jdmoore18]

NPH said in,the 3rd one "see ya in the 4th one" ..that scene where Harold n Kumar was spying on nph jackin off on that girls back hah

[@andychen5579]

Kevo def not in 2019. They’d get sued left and right.

[@thelegendkillersshittyduff1335]

No we don't no. So pos movie corporations can make a lot of profit and you sheep just go see them within the first two weeks

[@thelegendkillersshittyduff1335]

@Andy Venual and that's funny that he's aneroxic

[@komengav]

The world is too bitchmade for another Harold and Kumar!

[@NolanSmoove]

I met him in a NYC bar in 2015. He bought a round of shots for everyone. Really nice and humble

[@sorecererlloco4744]

I was there that day; he even offered to pay for my child support. We are best friends now and travel to Mexico all the time; isn't that crazy lol

[@DoylesDigs]

Bryan Cruz you can remember I was there too right? Not long After that night he and I discovered that we are actually long lost twins separated at birth, we now own a ranch together in Minnesota and provide White Castle with all their lettuce! Crazy right?

[@munstrum3203]

Doyle’s Digs! i was there that day; he looked me in the eye and said, if you ever need anyone, i'll be there, and he flew off into the sky, i love you white castle indian guy! i will look for you in every telemarketing call!

[@munstrum3203]

@@gunzalez507 grr me pope gains me mad

[@rayfranco29]

I was there that day but I dont remember none of yall. We went to white castle right after

[@divdep3612]

Such a legendary movie. They need to make some classics like this again.

[@TMoore123]

Lol they need to give people a chance for originality and we can

[@kevinkohoutek995]

Won't happen for awhile , they have remakes coming till 2022 already Plus the joker just killed it so now remaking super hero movies that are dark will be in again

[@chris45627]

Forreal Thats back when movies were fun. When watching a comedy movie was an adventure just as good as going to a party

[@youbet2011]

no, they really dont

[@armanisalgado]

Never happening because of stupid sensitive ppl

[@couchmayne4351]

Bro that movie and restaurant is literally generating money til this day because of them and this man had to go work as a barista at Starbucks after the movie wtf

[@Roadman1000]

Not to mention while John Cho is still famous and doing movies

[@davidferrer678]

Erik Ruiz Felix that's how the movie business works. He wasn't a massive star after the movie and let's not forget white castle would still be hugely popular with or without the movie. The fact is he wasn't a really big actor before the movie so why would he have gotten paid more then? They literally took a gamble on the movies long term success.

[@Happyingaloshes]

Check City of god movie documentary.

[@ezza1236]

How isn’t he rich , everyone watched Harold and Kumar

[@kevinkohoutek995]

The first movie had made 14 million in revenue, the second did about 30. Also he is doing fine , the man has a net worth of 15 million dollars. If he isnt he picked the wrong people to watch him and his money

[@kishenkoolskills90]

He is working in Television that pays bills and you get some nice amount of spending money

[@psnisy1234]

Because there is always a creative side and a business side to every field and every movie. Unfortunately, he only understood the creative side.

[@7DMIC]

He was also in this series on Netflix that did pretty well, if I'm not mistaken

[@NixonRexzile-xz4sq]

@warpedpineapple you clearly have no idea movie industry runs? If you have no hook up, you are out! Look at the kid from Slumdog millionaire, he's still acting and I'm like still with what tittle?

[@silveradohd5946]

He could’ve been a surgeon

[@lefty3985]

Daddy is not coming on anything!

[@jakeyjammin5789]

Hello Hi 😂😂

[@denielnotdenial2449]

BUT WHY?

[@RileyWuzzHere]

GOLD!

[@antoniotinoco7328]

Soft chocolate lips....

[@qweasdzxc390]

wow he really struggled after white castle. I'm happy he's doing great now

[@MrLangkahKanan]

hes not a Dr in real life?

[@youbet2011]

@@MrLangkahKanan lol...what

[@Realest636]

Was he in Superman Returns?

[@uzairzahari1924]

Orochi designated survivor?

[@amd1273]

His role on "House" was so underated. Wasn't flashy, but memorable

[@yurtle13x]

Kutner

[@Movie_Games]

He didn't get a pay bump for the two sequels? You could also make more Harold and Kumar movies. The Christmas one wasn't the best, but it was still way better than most modern comedies.

[@TrippTrippy]

I'll never Forget that It FLOPPED hard in the movies. Then when it came to DVD alot of people started renting it from Blockbuster then It BLEW UP out of no where

[@Magerquark]

Oh really I can't even remember that . I guess it's just one of those movies that doesn't seem like a blockbuster but when you randomly see it on TV or dvd you realize how good it is

[@NextChampion]

Some People liked it so much they never returned the dvd. I used to work at blockbuster lol

[@FecalMatador]

It Ain’t Easy I have many DVD’s and video games from blockbuster and Hollywood video because they shut down before I could return them. I miss those stores :(. Hollywood Video had their little game store called “Game Crazy” that was adjacent to the movie section. When Super Smash Bros Brawl dropped, all the kids were playing the demo. They had yugioh and Pokémon card packs. Good times now made a memory by the digital era

[@AyoJeezy]

that was the weirdest part it blew up like a full year after the release in theatres.

[@OB.x]

stones can't smoke weed in theaters, thats why lol. none of them wanted to get stoned and actually go anywhere.

[@laurastrong4337]

Finally an Indian Who isn’t a cliché.

[@cgasucks]

Totally forgot he is.

[@kevinkohoutek995]

You can watch Bollywood movies , they are good too . You do know they make movies outside the us right ?

[@Abdi-uy1kh]

Kevin Kohoutek any new movie recommendations?

[@TShorty929]

Abdi the new movie ‘war’ is fantastic

[@WinstonPoptart]

But he is...

[@DruryXL]

I bet White Castle would have given him job

[@Magerquark]

It's kinda crazy that he was in a position where he would actually have to work at white castle They could have used him for commercials

[@JessicaGarcia-xf9wr]

Sam Brown exactly what I was thinking.. like Justin long as Mac in the apple commercials or that Verizon wireless guy that says “can you hear me now” or spokeman persons

[@Johno1992]

Suprised coolage never gave him a job tbh

[@vivejk4443]

I dont get what's wrong with him working at a restaurant. I mean, sure people would line up for autographs and pictures but think about how popular the restaurant will become and how much business it can bring in for them.

[@cameron8024]

Vive Jk think about it back then probably a ethnicity issue and wouldn’t want him to be the face of their brand

[@johnlemon1977]

Such a great and humble guy. Wish him all the success.

[@ZarttgZar_ttg]

This guy is so humble and brutally honest

[@RayfilWong]

Love that he shared the unromanticised view of MOVIE STAR money issues 🧚‍♀️

[@everettfanor1989]

Basically if youre not A-List Brad pitt, will smith, tom cruise its best to stay away from Gucci and ferrari stores

[@johndias631]

But now is is doing very well

[@Steveman27]

@@everettfanor1989 If being a main star in a movie that was very popular in its time pays that little where it barely got Kal Penn anything, then it's odd for those "A-Listers" that you speak of to basically be rich with millions of dollars with fruit-roll up red Ferraris everywhere.

[@jonnyfranco7]

We need another Harold and Kumar PLEASE!

[@mikebloodsworth6346]

I agree

[@jackischilling2308]

No we dont

[@LordStaind]

@Jack is Chilling No one cares what you think. You dont have to watch it if they ever made another movie.

[@Luispbringstheheat]

@@LordStaind exactly... so tired of negative Nancy's like that

[@ahhwe-any7434]

He said when he's old he'd be happy to do it again. I'd watch that still when I get old. Not gonna even lie. I wanna see them as old potheads. & I don't even smoke. I guess it'd be like dumb & dumber & dumbest? Or wever that was

[@Mopark25]

He's fantastic in The Namesake if anyone hasn't seen it, great movie

[@TheArenaOfIdeas]

“The Namesake” is such a fantastic film. I wish he got more recognition for that role.

[@warman48]

Kal Pen is not only one of my favourite actors watching back in the early 2000s but his character alone seperates him from anyone else. The guy is awesome and yes we need more Harold and Kumar movies! Just no 3D and more waffle bot action

[@Engin.xcii.]

Harold and Kumar 2 was even better than the first movie. It will always be one of my all time favorites! :D

[@spitzer666]

I'd watch another Harold and Kumar movie

[@soumyakantarout1877]

Harold and kumar was a legendary movie.

[@ShaneHummus]

Lost all his money eating white castle burgers and getting high everytime he's with Harold. lol. Kidding aside, Kumar's story can be a motivation for someone. Thanks for this awesome video.

[@georgea.4125]

He is not Kumar. His name is Kal Penn.

[@TheJadedJames]

This video made me want to look up Penn’s filmography. It looks like Penn appeared in about one low budget comedy a year since the early 2000s. If he cleared 50-100K in these cases, in expensive cities and with other fees. Yeah, he would not be rich. I didn’t think of it like that until now

[@10THOUXANBANS]

i saw him on a episode of the show “New Girl” and i shouted “that’s Kumar”😂😂 he seems like a real chill dude

[@HemiJB91]

Make 2 more movies. Most people would want it

[@TMoore123]

Man I used to watch Harold and Kumar over and over on on-demand. Seriously an amazing movie

[@PainCausingSamurai]

You were the best character on House and I'm sad you left early

[@jeromychavez6121]

"We'll see you in the 4th one." -NPH

[@creativemind26los82]

Truth being spoken by a real person smart guy I like it. Wish you the best man

[@mUnchaMaddNesS]

favourite movie, all the lines memorised from start to finish

[@madcityy269]

First of all. MORE MOVIES, PLEASE. Secondly. When I was younger I'd hang out with two friends of mine where we'd have a small LAN party and we would have the first movie going on repeat on a DVD for two days straight, because it's such a wholesome and funny movie. Good memories.

[@WeanerBeaner69]

Lan party. That takes me back

[@smnx127]

So informational. Wow, acting isn’t a “complete” dream job

[@UnheathyMaps27]

Kiera Kiers it is if ur white and good looking

[@Jon_cb]

Kiera Kiers I’m sure if he would’ve tried to set up something royalty based instead of the flat fee, he would’ve made way more money.. it’s a shame bro, he deserves way more money from those movies

[@no.idea.man.]

@Cee2kay by the time you're old you wouldn't need to work. You'd be a multi millionaire

[@jplandscaping5069]

Because his mindset, an actor is supposed to be an entrepreneur not a worker baby. He should have made T-shirts with his face done a podcast or something to stay in the light to make money. This was actually pretty depressing and not the way to live

[@saturncrush]

JP Landscaping Actually it is pretty accurate for an actor. Podcasting just became a legit thing, and it is just a hustle, like everything else. Listen up kids, this is what it is really like on the other side of the fence.

[@Rixx432]

One of my favorite movies growing up.

[@kumar01234]

Nice insight into Hollywood biz. 10% to agent, 15% to manager, 5% to Lawyer. 30% of paycheck along with how much ever he has to pay in taxes and publicity fees. Kinda puts into perspective the take home income despite the numbers that are made public.

[@kumar01234]

@Roy_Thousand True but like a few years ago people made a big deal about Kevin Hart getting $3 mil minimum per movie or something. I think a lot of people thought wow Kevin is getting a lot per movie But then based on what we learn he's actually taking home closer to $1.5 mil. Which is still a lot but still perspective. And yeah for Kal $75k for a classic still tho.

[@mattc.8887]

Kal Penn is awesome

[@tdo7125]

“We’re so high right now, we’re not low.”

[@FlorentineNoble]

Thank you come,again!

[@AvinashKumar-vo2lj]

You are one of my favorite actors in the Hollywood industry

[@d3xmeister]

I always thought Kal Penn is a very underrated actor. I thought he played brilliantly the role in How I met tour mother but for some reason everybody seemed to hate it

[@dudebro2292]

Except he had 2 more harold / kumar movies, and a bunch of roles on TV shows and worked for Obama.

[@ibra4306]

Sounds like he's lying or talking about a very short part of his life to look more relatable and hence have people be interested in him enough to give his upcoming TV show a try even though he's a C list celebrity.

[@DefeatLust]

Sounds like you people are Kal Penn, and know his whole life story. Oh wait...

[@13001313s]

@@ibra4306 I mean, you can look at his IMDB and see Harold and Kumar was his first big lead for a few years until Harold and Kumar 2 which was a 4 year gap

[@everettfanor1989]

Hes lying. He can go to Bollywood in India and become a multi millionaire overnight if he wanted to

[@DefeatLust]

@@everettfanor1989 right? It's THAT easy. And he definitely wants to live in India. Stfu

[@thesilverkro]

Good luck to you thanks for sharing your experience.

[@kk4649k]

Can tell he’s a smart guy. Wish I can speak so confident and smooth like that. I always end up ughming. Trying to fix it but I feel like my brain doesn’t process information fast enough at times.

[@ChucksterOLove]

What a great movie!! I thought actors got royalties for DVD sales, guess not. Still a classic movie, I'm down for Harold and Kumar 57! 😃😃😃😃😃

[@kysfag8893]

He’s only taking about after that 1 show. ( to best of my knowledge)

[@DanVillainFilms]

They should make movies together every few years until they’re old and grey. I saw them all in the theater. I love these characters.

[@neilcoolon2065]

Both movies were legendary one of the funniest lmao. Harold and kumar are the perfect duos

[@kr63]

I’m pretty impressed with Kal Penn’s acting range after recently watching namesake. What a contrast from White Castle.

[@ysal6570]

Watch designated survivor

[@seanc4486]

They should've bought their own White Castle.

[@Magerquark]

He should have been the manager in one white castle People would have stormed in

[@Steveman27]

@@Magerquark He would get tired of it after 15 months.

[@Magerquark]

@@Steveman27 prob earlier lol that stuff is hard

[@amit14412]

Very humble of him. 👌👍🙏

[@__-kb9no]

Hope for much success for this man.

[@jackochan]

Surprised he didn't mention work on Designated Survivor

[@jomolololo4398]

Cause its leftist trash

[@stevenuniverse1994]

@@jomolololo4398 cmon bro its a great show. Honestly i dont care for the politics, i just enjoy character devolpment

[@Maximus-DecimusMeridius]

G Watsittoyaa you can’t seem to differentiate between real life and reel life? About time you got a life or more importantly help

[@jeremyearley9162]

Or in the White House lol

[@aninjaguardian]

Shame he struggled after White Castle John Cho is doing fairly well and I hope Kal Penn continues to get roles

[@aninjaguardian]

Check out Columbus (2017). John Cho and Haley Lu Richardson are incredible in that film.

[@joseabetancourtbetancourt2973]

I worked at Lexington Kentucky last week and I went to white castle just for harold and Kumar. god bless you guys.......btw I'm from Texas and we don't have white castle here

[@R3DLiFE]

So glad to hear he would be bout making a 4th Harold & Kumar!

[@TjRizzles09]

The real life of a actor

[@jasonrobertsASTONISHES]

Yup need another Harold and Kumar movie now

[@dattack1970]

Where Kumar dies early in the movie.

[@ahanna76]

Also loved his work in Van Wilder/series. “Like a porpoise!!”😂

[@brandoncook8300]

One of the few movies that’s actually legit funny

[@Calvbread]

I loved Harold and Kumar!

[@MissMaweja]

Wow inspiring!

[@juantamad6576]

These 2 guys are cool, I wish the best for them.

[@grilledcheesefan13]

If Kal will 55 more Harold and Kumar movies, I will watch all 55 of them.

[@Magerquark]

For some reason I always assume that actors in popular Hollywood movies are living well Not having to do customer service jobs

[@officialedge6163]

Imagine, Harold and Kumar meet Bill and Ted. That’d be HUGE!

[@rodneylewis7158]

I love Kal Penn and John Cho, Harold and Kumar forever

[@NE_Pigeons]

One of my favorite!!!

[@dread.8110]

seems like agents don’t like to tell their clients about royalties huh.

[@sloppynyuszi]

youdontknow da1/2 actually they are pretty clear and upfront. They don’t need to lie, because when you are young poor and desperate, you’ll sign/do anything to get into the door. Once you made it, and don’t need them, the contract protects/rewards the agent.

[@iciwiener3569]

I love kumar, man deserves justice where’s his bread at

[@5irhctopher]

We still love you Kal Penn

[@ragenono]

I smoked so much weed to this movie. Thanks for the memories that I remember lol

[@edr.2642]

Amazing movie loved it

[@itsammar1]

It seems john cho is living a little better as he's been busy in some movies

[@AvinashKumar-vo2lj]

I love you, man, I love your comedy. I wish I can see in more comedy movies.

[@XxTW0F4C3DxX]

My great uncle John was his History teacher in high school

[@99north72]

they shoulda made a harold and kumar tv show 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@ozymandias-1]

How easily he said everything...

[@SM-fm4eb]

He seems like a really nice and down to earth dude.

[@skulltagfilms]

He was in Van Wilder and also did Harold and Kumar 2 & 3 as well so I'm sure he wasn't broke for too long, great guy it seems like. White castle was such a classic.

[@justanamateur1682]

But you were in How I met Your Mother for a season!

[@Theoneandonly88able]

As a guest appearance. He wasn't a main cast member so he wouldn't have made much money in the few episodes he was in. Its funny, he kind of does remind me of Ted. I wonder if he would've made a better Ted than Josh Radnor.

[@crimsonshadow7459]

I was hoping he was gonna say he tried to work at a white castle

[@larrylarry1368]

I still remembered that movie. I saw John Cho shooting a scene of that movie in the north east of Toronto Ontario at that time. Sorry I didn’t know who was John Cho at that time. But I over heard one of the film crews answering an onlooker calling John Cho a nobody. I only found out that John was one of the leading characters when I watch the movie.

[@xAnsemRiku]

Very humbling

[@HCoRE8]

After seeing this I really feel sad for him as I couldn't imagine such thing happen after Harold & Kumar. Like wow really?

[@lithium25693]

his net worth is 15 million hes lying

[@retro9173]

lithium25693 - who said that?!

[@samuelgauthier2033]

His net worth on google says 15 million😭😭 am I missing something

[@TheArtkaw]

Never believe those sites.

[@shreythakkar4385]

At start it was tough, them he got other jobs like in designated survivor

[@pkal244]

This interview is showcasing his life right after the first Harold & Kumar movie. They went on to make two more, and I'm sure he got a fatter paycheck + residuals + other acting jobs.

[@shimeih2287]

@@pkal244 plus appearing on other shows and working for Obama..

[@Theoneandonly88able]

Yes you are missing something. Net income is not the same as gross income. Gross income is what happens after taxes and deductions. He still has to pay people after filming like his manager, agent, etc. Re-watch the video.

[@elcaminoguy2188]

really down to earth. Really opened my eyes too to the fact that after paying all those people, they're not left with squat.

[@PSL09]

lol he was good in designated survivor too

[@gc8568]

“What am I gonna do for money when nobody’s gonna hire me” Me: White Castle duh be a spokesperson or Cashier.

[@georgea.4125]

Lol... i think he is a vegetarian

[@user-gl4qw6ow4b]

I like these movies especially the third i watched it all the time when i was high..

[@drew804]

loved him on Designated Survivor

[@kobewankenobi248]

*Wasnt he working in the frickin White House at one point?*

[@kevinkohoutek995]

@mrbrockpeters bro he is a bit off, he's one of those guys who thinks hes the smartest in the room. He had a chance to make a bunch of money but he chose politics. Like him talking about not being able to get a job at Jamba juice is a great joke but he wasn't doing that.

[@CJ-nk3dn]

Yeah In a show 🙄

[@TheUniverseExists]

Like 15 years later

[@user-ye4yn7qe3y]

So how’s Harold doing

[@llrainll]

Yuda Prastowo I see what you did there. Ain’t he filming for Cowboy Bebop 😭😭😭

[@johhnn143]

He's a doctor now

[@FazShara]

Swimming in star trek money

[@yellaninja4120]

Kal deserved better man. He’s very intelligent and a good actor.

[@forza8719]

You guys do know he made two more H&K movies which were box office hits. Kal penn is living the dream life.

[@thegreatgatsby8180]

I just wanna say, he is worth $15 million.

[@yasinhassani3929]

The Great Gatsby with amita pachan or without?

[@thegreatgatsby8180]

@@yasinhassani3929 net worth does not include spousal wealth.

[@singhatar0912]

The Great Gatsby that’s not confirmed what he has in the bank btw

[@thegreatgatsby8180]

@@singhatar0912 lol. The exact amount Jeff bezos has in his bank account is also not confirmed. But I would gladly let him pay for dinner. 😂

[@erock967]

I just Googled his net worth and it said 15million but not sure if its accurate

[@Theoneandonly88able]

Net income is not the same as gross income. Gross income is what happens after taxes and deductions.

[@actionscott8033]

Love this guy! ❤️

[@brandonp2211]

This dude a legend

[@moxxxi_830]

If only Starbucks knew how much money they could make with him working there

[@pj006marsden]

I think they will be fine .