Kalpen Suresh Modi (Hindi: कालपेन सुरेश मोदी), born April 23, 1977, known by his stage name Kal Penn (Hindi: काल पेन), is an Indian American actor and producer. He is known for his starring roles in National Lampoon's Van Wilder, Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle, House MD, the recently released The Namesake (2007), and the upcoming Harold & Kumar Escape From Guantanamo Bay (2008).
Born in New Jersey, now resides in L.A.
He and the other students were banned from using the word "like" in his acting classes, this was to make them sound more intelligent during auditions.
He attended the Fine and Performing Arts Center at Howell High School in Farmingdale, New Jersey where he went though an intense study of the arts in acting, dance/movement, and vocal training.
Once directed Jason Allentoff in a short film for a college project.
Is a vegetarian, contrary to the role that he plays in Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle (2004).
Met future Where's the Party Yaar? (2003) co-star Datta Dave and Dave's current financial adviser Mihir Upadhyaya during college at UCLA. He assisted Dave in his pursuit of an acting career.
Has one younger brother.
His father is an engineer and his mother, who has a master's in chemistry, worked as a fragrance evaluator for a perfume company.
When he was in 8th grade he was in a school production of the musical "The Wiz".
Is of Gujarati Indian descent.
Although he attended Howell High School's performing arts program, he later transferred to Freehold Township (NJ) High School, where he graduated in 1995.
Lives in same Los Angeles apartment building as director 'Leon Shanglebee'.
Attended UCLA
Began using the name Kal Penn, a variation on his first name Kalpen, to get more roles; he believed that his difficult foreign name would scare away potential employers.
Is the first Indian-American actor to have a successful career in mainstream Hollywood.
Was offered a part in "Planet Terror," the Robert Rodriguez (I) segment of Grindhouse (2007), but turned it down due to the conflicting shoot of Namesake, The (2006).
