‘Oscars for Books’: Actor, Author and Comedian Kal Penn to Host 60th Annual PEN America Literary Awards
- Organizers say the Indian American “epitomizes PEN America’s belief in the capacity of writers and artists to instigate social and political change.”
Indian American actor, writer, producer and former Obama White House aide Kal Penn will host the 60th annual PEN America Literary Awards, PEN America announced on Feb. 7. Described as “the Oscars for books,” the event will be held on March 2 at The Town Hall in New York City. “This year’s ceremony exemplifies the event’s recent growth into a preeminent gathering of the city’s writing, publishing, entertainment, and media luminaries with passionate book lovers to bestow some of the most significant prizes in literature,” the literary organization said in a press release.
According to Clarisse Rosaz Shariyf, chief program officer for Literary Programming at PEN America, this year’s host “epitomizes PEN America’s belief in the capacity of writers and artists to instigate social and political change.” Penn’s “illuminating, often hilarious 2021 memoir ‘You Can’t Be Serious’ reveals in candid prose a life and multi-hyphenated career — including a hiatus from acting to do crucial work at the White House — that sets an example for civically engaged artistry,” Shariyf said. “He is the perfect person to lead a captivating evening celebrating exemplary literature—while considering the urgent societal concerns within many of these books, and the work PEN America does in advocating for free expression year-round.”
The books celebrated at this year’s awards span fiction, nonfiction, poetry, biography, essay, science writing, and translation, and “are dynamic, diverse, and thought-provoking examples of literary excellence,” PEN America said. Each award is juried by panels of esteemed authors, editors, translators, and critics.
Penn became a household name after starring in“Harold and Kumar” films and as a sports medicine doctor on the hit TV show “House.” The New Jersey native has worked as an associate director of the White House Office of Public Engagement, where he was President Obama’s Liaison to Young Americans, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, and the Arts communities in America. In that role, he worked on a range of issues, including the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, the Affordable Care Act, Pell Grants, arts and culture programs, the DREAM Act, and rapid response to the BP Oil Spill and earthquake in Haiti.
He has also served as an Adjunct Lecturer in Sociology and Film Studies at the University of Pennsylvania, and in Sociology and Political Science at the University of California, Los Angeles.
He received his undergraduate degree in sociology, theater, film, and television at UCLA, and received a graduate certificate in international security from Stanford University. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Earlier in the year, Penn wrapped production on the Bloomberg Green climate change docuseries “Getting Warmer,” and the Viacom/Paramount+ comedy “Surina & Mel’s Hot Mess Holiday” Following the departure of Trevor Noah from The Daily Show, Penn was named an upcoming guest host.