Emmy-Nominated Actor & Former Associate Director of the White House Office of Public Engagement
Kal Penn: Biography at a Glance
- Kal Penn is an Emmy-nominated actor, writer, producer, and former Associate Director of the White House Office of Public Engagement.
- Penn recently executive produced and hosted Getting Warmer, a show focused on the intersection of climate, clean energy, and business, and is in preproduction on the independent feature film, Trust Me, I’m a Doctor.
- He also served as a guest host of The Daily Show and recently interviewed President Biden to discuss Marriage Equality and LGBTQ+ Rights.
- He is best known for starring roles including the Harold and Kumar franchise, House, Designated Survivor, and most recently the patriotic immigration comedy Sunnyside, which he co-created for NBC and Hulu. Other credits include roles on Big Bang Theory, How I Met Your Mother, New Girl, 24, and Law & Order: SVU.
- From 2009 to 2011, Penn took a sabbatical from acting to serve in the Obama/Biden administration as the President’s Liaison to Young Americans, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, and the Arts community.
- Penn's memoir, You Can't Be Serious, is a humorous and inspiring collection of stories about ambition, fame, and his unusual career path.
- He has maintained careers in both entertainment and public service, has been an active member of the Council on Foreign Relations and Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and most recently completed several global documentary series for Amazon, VICE, and National Geographic.
Videos
Biography
Kal Penn is an Emmy-nominated actor, writer, producer, and former Associate Director of the White House Office of Public Engagement. He is known for his starring roles in Designated Survivor, House, Mira Nair’s The Namesake, the Harold & Kumar franchise, and the Christmas comedy The Santa Clauses for Disney +. Kal most recently guest hosted two weeks of Comedy Central’s The Daily Show following the departure of Trevor Noah.
From 2009 to 2011, Penn took a sabbatical from the private sector to serve in the Obama/Biden administration as the President’s Liaison to Young Americans, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, and the Arts community. In these three outreach roles, he worked on a team focused on issues that included the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, the Affordable Care Act, Pell Grants, the DREAM Act, and rapid response to the BP Oil Spill.
Kal was a national co-chair for the Obama/Biden re-election campaign in 2012 and served on the President’s Committee for the Arts and Humanities, focusing on arts education and cultural diplomacy, including the first-ever US Government arts delegation to Cuba.
Kal received his BA in Sociology with a concentration in Theater, Film, and Television at the University of California, Los Angeles, and a Graduate Certificate in International Security from Stanford University. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Penn has been an adjunct lecturer at the University of Pennsylvania and the University of California, Los Angeles.
He recently Executive Produced & starred in Bloomberg Green’s climate change docuseries, Getting Warmer, and is in preproduction on the independent feature film, Trust Me, I’m a Doctor.
His bestselling book & audiobook You Can’t Be Serious, about systemic change in Hollywood and politics, is on shelves now.
Topics
Getting Warmer: The Intersection of Climate, Clean Energy, and Business
Kal Penn has traveled the country reporting on businesses, initiatives, researchers, and communities transitioning to clean energy. He analyzes the full scope of climate solutions from ESG investing and electric vehicles to new forms of energy and “greener living.”
In this talk, he explores the critical topics connected to climate change and gives audiences a better understanding of the ways policymakers, consumers, and businesses can tackle these issues together.
From White Castle to the White House
“What possessed you to go from acting in huge movies to working in the White House?” It’s a valid question Kal gets all the time. As the Harold and Kumar star-turned public servant-turned college professor-turned actor again has learned, life doesn’t have to be a series of mutually exclusive decisions.
In a talk that’s equal parts funny, eye-opening, and inspirational, Kal uses his own groundbreaking experiences and plenty of funny social context to debunk the myth that success requires you to pick one lane and stay in it. He shares his experiences balancing a number of careers with a life in public service, including plenty of behind-the-scenes stories from his time on R-rated movie sets to briefings in the Oval Office.
Hope, Change, and Fist Bumps
President Barack Obama’s historic ascent to the Presidency was marked by record political participation from young people. As an active member of the campaign’s youth outreach team and the Obama White House’s first Liaison to Young Americans, nobody has a better understanding of young activation than Kal Penn.
Kal will discuss his unprecedented role in forever changing the way campaigns and government engage young people and the ways in which important - and sometimes divergent causes and organizations - can and must unify to engage the next generation. In our era of unprecedented polarization and negativity, Kal shares his thoughts on learning to come together again for a hopeful future.
Not White. Not Black. But, Pretty Funny for an Indian Guy...
“Gandhi look-alike,” “Snake Charmer,” “Foreign Student” are some of the only roles that actors who looked like Kal could audition for just over a decade ago. That is, until sledgehammers were taken to the walls of an industry that has long struggled with representation and inclusivity.
Kal speaks about some of his own unbelievable experiences with typecasting, taking a funny and biting historic look back at how far we’ve come, as well as a glance forward at the challenges that still lie ahead for performers of all backgrounds.
What will it take to continue breaking down the barriers of discrimination both in and out of Hollywood, and why should we care? (Spoiler: artistic representation, content, comedy, and commerce are all better off!)
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FAQs
How do I book Kal Penn for my event?
Contact CAA Speakers at (424) 288-2898 or speakers@caa.com to book Kal Penn to speak at corporate or private events, keynote speeches, speaking engagements, workshops, fireside chats, motivational speaking, or virtual appearances.
Quick booking process- Email CAA Speakers with event details
- Get availability confirmation within 24 hours
- Review speaking fee and contract terms
- Sign agreement and finalize logistics
As one of the most influential talent agencies in the world, CAA handles all speaking engagements from contract to event day coordination.
Who is Kal Penn's booking agent?
CAA Speakers is the preferred booking agency to contact for Kal Penn’s speaking engagements. Contact speakers@caa.com for all Kal Penn in-person appearances and keynote speaking requests.
Contact Kal Penn's agent- Email: speakers@caa.com
- Website: caa.com/caaspeakers
- Response: Within 24 hours
CAA Speakers can check Kal Penn's speaking calendar with direct access to availability and official pricing. While many websites may list Kal Penn, CAA Speakers is the direct source for authentic information about availability and pricing.
What is Kal Penn's speaking fee?
Kal Penn's speaking fee varies by event type, location, and requirements. As a top keynote speaker, Kal Penn's fee reflects their expertise and market demand.
Speaking fee factors:- Event type and audience size
- Travel distance and logistics
- Presentation length and customization
- Virtual vs. in-person delivery
Additional costs: Travel, accommodation, A/V requirements, and optional meet-and-greets.
Contact CAA Speakers at speakers@caa.com for Kal Penn's current speaking fee and detailed cost breakdown.
How much does it cost to book Kal Penn as a keynote speaker?
The cost to book Kal Penn as keynote speaker includes their speaking fee plus travel and logistics expenses.
Total booking cost includes:- Kal Penn's keynote speaking fee
- Travel and accommodation
- Technical requirements and A/V setup
- Optional add-ons like book signing and meet & greets
- Virtual presentations
- Local/regional events
- Off-peak booking periods
- Flexible event dates
Email speakers@caa.com for Kal Penn's exact booking cost and customized pricing proposal.
How to contact Kal Penn for speaking engagements?
Contact CAA Speakers at speakers@caa.com for all Kal Penn speaking engagements.
Official contact for Kal Penn bookings:- Email: speakers@caa.com
- Website: https://www.caa.com/caaspeakers/kal-penn
- Response time: 24 hours
Include your event date, location, audience size, and budget when contacting CAA about booking Kal Penn.
Is Kal Penn available for virtual speaking events?
Yes, Kal Penn speaks at virtual events with professional-grade equipment and interactive presentation style.
Kal Penn's virtual event options:- Live virtual keynotes with Q&A
- Interactive workshops and breakouts
- Hybrid events (in-person + virtual)
- Pre-recorded presentations
Virtual events offer global reach, flexible scheduling, and reduced travel costs while maintaining Kal Penn's engaging presentation quality.
Contact CAA Speakers for Kal Penn's virtual event availability and technical specifications.
What events can I book Kal Penn for?
Book Kal Penn for corporate conferences, industry events, private functions, and virtual presentations. Kal Penn customizes content for any audience size or event type.
Event types:- Corporate meetings and conferences
- Industry summits and trade shows
- Private executive retreats
- Educational institution events
- Virtual and hybrid conferences
Kal Penn engages audiences from private executive meetings to large conferences with thousands of attendees.
Contact CAA Speakers to discuss how Kal Penn can customize their presentation for your specific event.
Kal Penn booking information and availability
Check Kal Penn's speaking availability through CAA Speakers at speakers@caa.com. Book 3-6 months in advance for best date selection during peak seasons (September-November, March-May).
Availability factors:- Event date and location
- Speaking fee and budget
- Lead time for booking
- Peak conference seasons
- 3-6 months: Best availability
- 3-6 months: Best availability
- 2-3 months: Good availability
- 1-2 months: Select availability
- Under 30 days: Limited availability
Contact CAA early in your planning process to secure Kal Penn for your preferred event date.
Book Kal Penn keynote speaker through CAA
Book Kal Penn through CAA Speakers for guaranteed authentic representation and professional event coordination. CAA is the preferred booking agent for Kal Penn, with direct access to their speaking availability and decades of experience representing the world’s top keynote speakers.
CAA booking advantages:- Direct access to Kal Penn's calendar
- 24-hour availability confirmations
- Professional contract negotiation
- Full logistics coordination
- Industry-leading client service
Trusted by Fortune 500 companies for their most important speaking engagements. Contact speakers@caa.com to book Kal Penn for your next event.
Will Kal Penn speak at private events?
Yes, Kal Penn speaks at private corporate events, executive retreats, board meetings, and exclusive functions.
Private event types:- Executive retreats and board presentations
- Client entertainment and VIP gatherings
- Corporate celebrations and award ceremonies
- Private dinners and exclusive functions
Private event benefits: Customized content, enhanced interaction, complete confidentiality, and flexible scheduling.
Contact CAA Speakers for Kal Penn's private event availability and confidential pricing proposals.
How quickly will I get a response about booking Kal Penn?
CAA Speakers responds to Kal Penn booking inquiries within 24 hours during business days. Complex requests or international events may take up to 48 hours for detailed proposals.
Response timeline:- Initial acknowledgment: Within 24 hours
- Availability confirmation: 24-48 hours
- Detailed pricing proposal: 48-72 hours
- Urgent requests: Same-day priority response
Include complete event details (date, location, audience size, budget) for fastest response times.
How far in advance should I book Kal Penn?
Book Kal Penn 3-6 months in advance for best availability, especially during peak speaking seasons. Early booking ensures better date selection and rate negotiations.
Recommended booking timeline:- 3-6 months: Optimal availability and pricing
- 2-3 months: Good availability
- 1-2 months: Select availability
- Under 30 days: Limited availability
Peak seasons: September-November and March-May book fastest. Contact CAA Speakers early for priority consideration.
How do I get Kal Penn pricing information?
Get Kal Penn pricing information by contacting CAA Speakers at speakers@caa.com with your event details. Receive detailed cost breakdown within 24-48 hours with no obligation to book.
For accurate pricing, include:- Event date and location
- Audience size and type
- Event format and duration
- Budget parameters
CAA provides transparent pricing with all costs included - speaking fee, travel, accommodation, and technical requirements.