Kal Penn (born Kalpen Suresh Modi; April 23, 1977) is an American actor, producer, and civil servant. He is best known for his role as Lawrence Kutner on the Fox television program "House". He is also well known for appearing in the movies "Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle" (2004), "Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay" (2008), and "A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas" (2011).