Kal Penn (born Kalpen Modi on April 23, 1977) is an American actor. He may be best known for his starring roles in Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle and National Lampoon's Van Wilder: The Rise of Taj.

Penn was born in Montclair, New Jersey of Gujarati Indian ancestry. He is a graduate of Howell High School and The Fine and Performing Arts Specialized Learning Center. He is a graduate of University of California, Los Angeles where he double majored in Film and Sociology. While at UCLA, Kal was a founding member of the underground intellectual society, "6 South." Due to creative differences the group disbanded but are currently considering a reunion.

Penn's feature film debut came in 1998 in Express: Aisle to Glory. He has since appeared in American Desi, National Lampoon's Van Wilder, Malibu's Most Wanted, A Lot Like Love, Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle, Dude, Where's the Party?, Love Don't Cost a Thing, Superman Returns and National Lampoon's Van Wilder: The Rise of Taj and will be a part of the upcoming The Namesake and Harold & Kumar Go to Amsterdam.

Penn was featured in the The Lonely Island's rejected Awesometown MTV pilot music video, along with his friend Brandon Routh (who played Superman in Superman Returns). Penn also played one of Lex Luthor's henchmen in Superman Returns.

In January 2007, Penn appeared in the first four episodes of the sixth season of 24 as Ahmed Amar, a villain. Also in January 2007, he will appear in the spoof comedy Epic Movie as well as the television show Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.

--Wikipedia