Kal Penn is known for his starring roles in House, 24 and, of course, the Harold and Kumar franchise. Though there is a tradition of Hollywood stars campaigning for politicians, Penn may be the only one in recent memory to stop his career midstream to work full time in politics. From 2009 to 2011, he was the Associate Director at the White House Office of Public Engagement. Penn returned to television in 2011 with a new role on the hit sitcom How I Met Your Mother. Penn has also taught two courses at the University of Pennsylvania, on Asian-Americans in pop culture, and on the history of teen movies.