The Daily Show, often referred to as TDS, has become a beloved late-night talk show in the United States. It is popular for its clever take on current events. Now following Trevor Noah’s departure late last year, the stage is ready for a new face. An Indian-American actor Kal Penn, is taking over. So, let’s delve into who Kal Penn is.

Professionally known as Kal Penn, his full name is Kalpen Suresh Modi. Besides being an actor, he’s also an author and a former member of the White House during the Obama administration. You might recognize him from his roles as Lawrence Kutner on the TV series “House,” Seth Wright, a staffer on “Designated Survivor”. He appeared as Kumar Patel in the beloved “Harold & Kumar” film series.

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His notable performance in the movie “The Namesake” has also garnered attention. Interestingly, he even spent time teaching as a visiting lecturer at the University of Pennsylvania in the Cinema Studies Program.

Born in Montclair, New Jersey, his roots trace back to Indian immigrant parents hailing from Gujarat. His mother, Asmita Bhatt, is a fragrance evaluator for a perfume company, while his father, Suresh Modi, is an engineer. His father’s origins are in Kaira, and his mother was born in Baroda.

Kal Penn’s connection to India isn’t merely ancestral. He often visited Gujarat during his childhood vacations, cultivating a grasp of both Gujarati and Hindi languages. He shares that the stories of his grandparents’ involvement in Mahatma Gandhi’s marches during India’s struggle for independence deeply influenced his passion for politics.

Penn’s political interests also extended to the 2020 Democratic presidential primaries, where he found resonance in the messages of Pete Buttigieg, Bernie Sanders, and Elizabeth Warren. Following Joe Biden’s nomination, he expressed his support for the candidate.

In October 2021, amidst promoting his memoir titled “You Can’t Be Serious,” Penn made a personal announcement: he and his boyfriend of 11 years, named Josh, were engaged. He shared insights into his journey of self-discovery, revealing that he came to terms with his sexuality later in life compared to many others.