Uploaded March 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 days ago
Actor and author Kal Penn’s recent memoir, You Can’t Be Serious, is a heartfelt and hilarious narrative tracing his journey from the son of Indian immigrants to Hollywood star and White House aide. With disarming candor and sharp wit, Penn unpacks the nuances of identity, ambition, and belonging, grappling with building success, handling hurdles, and remaining true to himself. In conversation with actor and academic Kathryn Hunter Williams, Penn reflects on navigating fame, public service, and the messy promise of the American dream, sharing unforgettable stories from awkward first dates and Hollywood setbacks to making phone calls from Air Force One.
Kal Penn is an Emmy-nominated actor, writer, and producer, best known for his roles in Designated Survivor, House, How I Met Your Mother, Mira Nair’s The Namesake, and the Harold & Kumar franchise. His bestselling book, also an audiobook, You Can’t Be Serious, filled with humor and insight, is out now.
Kathryn Hunter Williams is an Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Dramatic Art. A longstanding member of PlayMakers Repertory Company, she has worked with Living Stage, The Negro Ensemble Company, and New Dramatists and Virgina Stage. Directing credits include A Good Boy, The Christmas Case of Hezekiah Jones, They Do Not Know Harlem, Stickfly, Nina Simone: No Fear Blues Long Gone and Count, for PlayMakers. As Associate Director of Hidden Voices, Kathryn co-created performances with undocumented immigrant youth, families escaping violence, military spouses, survivors of sexual assault, African American communities facing gentrification, refugees, and incarcerated men on death row.
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#kalpenn #hollywoodstar
Actor and author Kal Penn’s recent memoir, You Can’t Be Serious, is a heartfelt and hilarious narrative tracing his journey from the son of Indian immigrants to Hollywood star and White House aide. With disarming candor and sharp wit, Penn unpacks the nuances of identity, ambition, and belonging, grappling with building success, handling hurdles, and remaining true to himself. In conversation with actor and academic Kathryn Hunter Williams, Penn reflects on navigating fame, public service, and the messy promise of the American dream, sharing unforgettable stories from awkward first dates and Hollywood setbacks to making phone calls from Air Force One.
Kal Penn is an Emmy-nominated actor, writer, and producer, best known for his roles in Designated Survivor, House, How I Met Your Mother, Mira Nair’s The Namesake, and the Harold & Kumar franchise. His bestselling book, also an audiobook, You Can’t Be Serious, filled with humor and insight, is out now.
Kathryn Hunter Williams is an Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Dramatic Art. A longstanding member of PlayMakers Repertory Company, she has worked with Living Stage, The Negro Ensemble Company, and New Dramatists and Virgina Stage. Directing credits include A Good Boy, The Christmas Case of Hezekiah Jones, They Do Not Know Harlem, Stickfly, Nina Simone: No Fear Blues Long Gone and Count, for PlayMakers. As Associate Director of Hidden Voices, Kathryn co-created performances with undocumented immigrant youth, families escaping violence, military spouses, survivors of sexual assault, African American communities facing gentrification, refugees, and incarcerated men on death row.
Follow us on –
Website - jlflitfest.org
Facebook - facebook.com/JLFInternational
YouTube - youtube.com/@JLFInternational
Instagram - instagram.com/jlfinternational
Twitter - twitter.com/JLFLitfest
#kalpenn #hollywoodstar
