As a warning, please do not read this if you want to be spoiled. The actor/actress I mention after the jump just finished their "last" project.
Now that you have been warned...
Kal Penn, the star of such great movies as the Harold and Kumar series and some National Lampoon flick has left acting to work in the Obama administration. He most recently was part of the cast of House on television, which is the project he is suspending his acting career. It should be noted that he is suspending his acting, as for now, he wants to focus on public service. Penn will be the associate director in the public liason office. Based on his description in the EW interview, it sounds a little like a grassroots PR deal. He was invited to work in Washington after he spent time working on the campaign.
It's interesting that after all the talk by Hollywood of pro or anti administration policies that one actor actually did it. Meaning he actually left Hollywood for Washington. One could argue those unmentioned (because the list would be too long) can actually have a greater affect because they're always in the limelight. But Penn shows commitment as he leaves a substantial bigger paycheck to work in our little town. Of course, we've had other entertainers in the past come to Washington like Ronald Regan, Sonny Bono, Fred Grandy (Love Boat), and Ben Jones (Dukes of Hazzard), but they seemed to leave after their Hollywood careers had cooled off or never took off.
Welcome Mr. Penn. Hats off to you for your commitment. Drinks on me, if I run into you in the bars.
What bothers me about this, is it personifies the "if you got money, I got you a job" situation in Washington. Seriously, Kal Penn? Maybe I shouldn't come up north after all.
I don't disagree, but from what I have heard, Penn is actually into politics and believes in the administration. I think for the most part, staffers are not well off. He had a connection via the campaign, which is why he was offerred the position. Those that can afford to work off the salary should if they want that job.
Now if you are talking about appointees and elected officials, that's a different story. Most of them I would say have money. Especially Senators & Reps. They have to maintain a residence in their home state and rent or buy here. I certaintly can't afford 2 mortgages/leases.