It seems that a popular actor is getting set for the Beltway. According to The Hollywood Reporter, actor Kal Penn has been hired on by President Barack Obama's administration as an associate director in the Office of Public Liason.

His duties will be to serve as a bridge between President Obama and Pacific Islander and Asian-American communities as well as arts and entertainment groups. It wasn't clear when Penn would start his new post. Penn did campaign heavily for Obama during the 2008 election.

Penn's recurring character on the Fox drama House M.D. committted suicide on last night's episode.