FREEHOLD – New Jersey native and actor Kal Penn recently visited his old high school, Freehold Regional, as he’s set to promote his new book next month.
On October 20, Penn made a surprise visit to the school and the Fine and Performing Arts Magnet Program at Howell High School. He toured his former classrooms and was able to talk with his old drama teacher at Howell, Stephen Kazakoff.
Born in Montclair to his Gujarati Indian immigrant parents Asmita Bhatt and Suresh Modi, Penn would often visit Gujarat as a child during vacations.
Penn explained how hearing stories of his grandparents marching with Mahatma Gandhi during the Indian independence movement influenced his interest in politics.
At school, Penn played baritone saxophone in the jazz band at Marlboro Middle School. He then attended the Fine and Performing Arts Academy (a magnet program) as a theater major at Howell High School his freshman year. He later transferred to Freehold Township High School for sophomore, junior and senior years.
Penn was active in the school’s theater productions and even competed on the Freehold Township public speaking team. He later moved on to attend UCLA and graduated in 2000 with a double major in film and sociology.
Penn returned to FRHSD to film an interview with CBS Sunday Morning discussing his new book that will be released in November. The CBS interview is scheduled to be aired on October 31.
Penn’s new memoir “You Can’t Be Serious” discusses Penn’s experiences growing up as a “brown kid” in America. He reflects on how he chose an unconventional career and how that choice led him to where he is today. From being an actor to even being an advisor to President Barack Obama, Penn has done it all and talks all about it in his upcoming book.
Penn is known for his roles in National Lampoon’s Van Wilder, Harold and Kumar Go To White Castle, and supporting roles on the TV show’s House and Designated Survivor.
