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Kal Penn joins 'House' as series regular

Oct 3, 2007, 10:11 AM | by Lynette Rice

Categories: Casting, TV Biz

Kal_penn House has a new team member: Kal Penn (Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle) has joined the cast of the popular Fox show as a series regular. He plays Lawrence Kutner, a young doctor who comes up with unorthodox ways to diagnose patients. Penn debuted Oct. 2 on the drama as No. 6, one of many doctors vying for a coveted spot on House's exclusive team. Kutner caught House's attention in the episode by resuscitating a patient and suggesting that they get her drunk to better diagnose her rare neurological condition. "Lawrence is a fan of trying random methods of exploration and life saving, and isn't afraid to break the rules a little bit," Penn tells EW exclusively.  The actor, who last appeared on Fox last season as Ahmed Amar in 24, said he already feels at home on the hit drama. "When you start out on a show, nerves can run high, but with House, everyone was so welcoming, I felt like part of the family," says Penn. "Psyched does not even begin to describe it. Awesomeness and thankfulness probably." Penn is also set to appear in Harold & Kumar 2 next year.


In Ohio Tue, Apr 7, 2009 at 12:52 PM EST

Kal left to work for the President. In his own words from an interview, "I was incredibly honored a couple of months ago to get the opportunity to go work in the White House. I got to know the President and some of the staff during the campaign and had expressed interest in working there, so I'm going to be the associate director in the White House office of public liaison. They do outreach with the American public and with different organizations."

Patrick Mon, Apr 6, 2009 at 11:39 PM EST

RE:Chris Mon, Apr 6, 2009 at 08:19 PM EST


They listed a website at the end of the show any one know what it was? It was some tribute to his character?


http://www.fox.com/kutner/

Catherine Mon, Apr 6, 2009 at 10:41 PM EST

They shouldn't have had Kutner leave the show like that. Kutner wouldn't have taken his life. He was a worthy opponent for House and a solid contributor in finding solutions to whatever problem arose. Kutner had a healthy ego because he knew he could handle pressures and problems and he enjoyed the challenges and the victories. No matter how tragic his past, he still rose above it to excel. Suicide does not fit his profile. Hugh Laurie gave an incredibly touching performance.

Frenchie Mon, Apr 6, 2009 at 08:24 PM EST

I love ya Hugh,but I'm just not gonna take the phone off the hook next Monday night. We'll miss ya kutner...sob

marie Mon, Apr 6, 2009 at 08:22 PM EST

Nice tribute, but still didn't tell us anything

marie Mon, Apr 6, 2009 at 08:20 PM EST

Does anyone kno why they killed "Kutner" off of the show??? Didn't see that coming!!!

Chris Mon, Apr 6, 2009 at 08:19 PM EST

They listed a website at the end of the show any one know what it was? It was some tribute to his character?

Amanda Mon, Apr 6, 2009 at 08:14 PM EST

why did Kutner--Kal Penn--leave the show??? NOOOO...I love himmmm!!!!

courtney Mon, Apr 6, 2009 at 08:11 PM EST

i cant believe they killed him off!!! mad me cry!! and i dont think no one knows why!! no one saw it coming! :[

susan Mon, Apr 6, 2009 at 08:09 PM EST

i didn't see this coming - what's the deal?

justin Mon, Apr 6, 2009 at 08:04 PM EST

they killed him man.... they killed kutner noooooooo

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Vijay Putatunda Sat, May 3, 2008 at 09:26 PM EST

Kal Penn is awesome. I am so happy that the show started following sterotypes and put in an Indian doctor. They should so keep Kal Penn and make him a regular central player.

Courtney Wed, Dec 26, 2007 at 01:32 AM EST

I am so excited about this!
i have met Kal Penn and he is a super cool guy and really funny!
i can not wait to watch him on house~

Will Tue, Oct 30, 2007 at 09:24 PM EST

Give it up to the writers and the characters chosen, brings us to the next level

Will Tue, Oct 30, 2007 at 08:54 PM EST

Everybody give a comment after the show, Kal for you great writing and great acting, if giving the oppertunity can't spell, will and should get the Chance to be! Can't wait for this! Mind makes matter things make beliefs!

Will Tue, Oct 30, 2007 at 08:47 PM EST

Wilson and Chase out! Forman can and could be written to fill the vibe, Wilson only so much! Penn Brings something different give the kid something more then a chase of knowlege and I realy can't stand Blonde's character she needs money and will be good for at least a bit of knowledge and uncertenty. Can't spell, but think old cast should stay, but need some kind of more twisting of the cast. No Need for most of them! Till the day we give to the day we watch will fulfill most of our expectations.

Will Tue, Oct 30, 2007 at 08:39 PM EST

Kal Penn works, cause we need everyone else the rest of the cast was to fill the original not to say they were a great cast, but I say give Kal Penn a chance give the Blonde crazy money girl a chance, this is like ER, but why not give a spin on the original! Omar gives a friend, cut Wilson! too much drama not enough action! Speaking from watching black dude out omar in. Kal penn and Blonde in, OC out! House needs this, Older dude out he can't handle it. Not knowing much of the acters and ratings, give these two a chance and bring back the two with an extra on the side... Chace/Wilson..

Will Tue, Oct 30, 2007 at 08:34 PM EST

Kal Penn works, cause we need everyone else the rest of the cast was to fill the original not to say they were a great cast, but I say give Kal Penn a chance give the Blonde crazy money girl a chance, this is like ER, but why not give a spin on the original! Omar gives a friend, cut Wilson! too much drama not enough action! Speaking from watching black dude out omar in. Kal penn and Blonde in, OC out! House needs this, Older dude out he can't handle it. Not knowing much of the acters and ratings, give these two a chance and bring back the two with an extra on the side... Chace/Wilson..

Lary the cable Girl Thu, Oct 25, 2007 at 10:16 PM EST

I hope Kal stays on the show. I like him cause hes like house, Not afraid to break the rules or anything! *i got a taste for the bad boyz* And usally, wen it cums to TV shohws, i dont really care about the looks of a guy, bu Kal is HOT!!

Lary the cable Girl (lory) Thu, Oct 25, 2007 at 10:13 PM EST

E-maile me people! (espesialy boys ^__^) my e-mail: onestraydog@hotmail.com

lory Thu, Oct 25, 2007 at 10:10 PM EST

DUDE! lawrence doesnt make it on House's team im not watching the show no more! XO

debin Thu, Oct 4, 2007 at 08:36 AM EST

Wait, how can Kal Penn be a fake Upenn professor and a fake doctor at the same time?

OpenHouse Wed, Oct 3, 2007 at 10:33 PM EST

Congratulations to Kal Penn! He was very funny. Please, no Olivia Wilde. If you're looking for a love interest for House, she wasn't in the room of 40.

dbldn11 Wed, Oct 3, 2007 at 01:49 PM EST

Awesome!! A tremendously underrated actor and terrific comic actor, Penn stole what is already one of if not the best show on TV last nite, and everyone is better off with him being on each and every week. Kudos both to Penn and to Fox.

Jen Wed, Oct 3, 2007 at 01:01 PM EST

SWEEEEEEEEET! I love him. We need more DESI's on tv.

Christina Wed, Oct 3, 2007 at 12:16 PM EST

That's kinda a relief. Kal Penn is one of the only candidates I liked. Please, no Olivia Wilde or Anne Dudek. The Mormon was okay, so was Peter Jacobson. I didn't really care one way or another about them. I hope they don't add many more because that'll take screentime away from the original cast. We need more Wilson! Bottom line. Kal's character was pretty awesome. I love his switching numbers, and I can sense some comedy from him in future episodes.

Jeff Wed, Oct 3, 2007 at 12:15 PM EST

Actually Cristina, that original announcement was just for being part of the new crop "auditioning" for House's team. Most of those characters will be gone soon, but this announcement is that he'll get the job and be part of the regular team...

dark_tyler Wed, Oct 3, 2007 at 11:57 AM EST

Way to spoil the story. I hope they don't announce Olivia Wilde as a regular, like, tomorrow. Sheesh.

Cristina J Wed, Oct 3, 2007 at 11:48 AM EST

Umm... wasn't this announced like two months ago?? Or maybe it's just become "official." But I swear it was on this very site (my favorite site) that they announced Kal would be one of the new ducklins. Old news!!

Joe C Wed, Oct 3, 2007 at 11:27 AM EST

Kal Penn did a great job last night. I am looking forward to him being one of the 'Big 3'; he's better than Chase, Cameron, or Foreman.

Rose Wed, Oct 3, 2007 at 09:53 AM EST

pbnj - yes, he said he was still fired. But then he suggested getting the patient drunk before he left the room and House changed his mind.

pbnj Wed, Oct 3, 2007 at 09:27 AM EST

I must have missed when House let him stay. I remember the "i'm 9 not 6" bit but I thought House still said he was fired.

Anna Wed, Oct 3, 2007 at 09:24 AM EST

How happy am I? I love Kal Penn and when I saw him on the show yesterday I thought it would be too good to be true for him to be a regular!


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