WASHINGTON -- The White House has hired Indian-American actor Kal Penn as a liaison between President Barack Obama's administration and arts groups.

White House spokesman Shin Inouye said Tuesday that the actor who starred as Kumar in the movie, Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantánamo Bay, would join the staff as an associate director in the Office of Public Liaison.

His role will be to connect Obama with the Asian-American and Pacific Islander communities, as well as arts and entertainment groups.

Penn also starred in the TV show House. His character committed suicide in Monday's episode.

Penn backed Obama during the campaign. The White House says a start date for Penn hasn't been set.

The White House did not reveal what Penn would be paid. Aides with similar titles earned between $41,000 and $91,000 last year.

The hire was first reported by Entertainment Weekly.

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