One House Actor Who Quit His Hollywood Career to... Work for the President?

Just like ordinary people, celebrities sometimes think about changing their career paths. Whether it's because they experienced something during their first run that they don't want to face again, they're not cut out for the rigors of fame, or they just want some peace in their lives, it doesn't matter.

What matters is that even though they change careers, they usually stay within the entertainment field. Sometimes they come up with some products that they think will sell well to their fan base, and other times they start writing music or directing movies instead of starring in them.

What is almost unheard of (well, except for Arnold Schwarzenegger) is an actor quitting acting and leaving behind a hit show to pursue a job in the office of the President. That's what makes the story of House's Kal Penn so unique and interesting.

Years ago, viewers of House: MD were shocked to learn that Dr. Lawrence Kutner had taken his own life. As horrifying as it was for fans at the time, the news of the actor's departure was incredibly exciting in reality.

The star, who played an important role in Barack Obama's presidential campaign, was dedicated to connecting the arts community with the Asian-American community. So much so, that he ended up quitting acting to pursue the White House job as an associate director of the White House Office of Public Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs.

Although the actor eventually left the administration in 2010 to pursue acting and directing once more, such an accomplishment will forever remain a perfect example of the saying "Anything is possible."

In the past decade, Kal Penn made many appearances in movies, such as Once Upon a Time in Venice, and on TV, starring as Kevin in How I Met Your Mother and Mac Marzara in American Horror Story: NYC.

If you want to rewatch House: MD and freshen up your memories of Dr. Lawrence Kutner, you can stream the show on Peacock TV.