Harold & Kumar star Kal Penn comes out as gay and reveals he's engaged to his partner of over a decade in new memoir

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Actor Kal Penn has come out as gay in his new memoir. 

In his book, You Can't Be Serious, the 44-year-old Harold & Kumar actor revealed he is engaged to his partner, Josh, who he has been with for more than eleven years. 

The former Obama administration staffer goes into detail about how he met Josh, but admits that his partner likes to stay away from the limelight. 

The latest: Actor Kal Penn, 44,  has come out as gay in his new memoir You Can't Be Serious, as he revealed he is engaged to his partner named Josh. The pair were snapped at a Knicks game in 2019 in NYC 

In the literary effort he shares the story of how his long-term relationship came to be, starting with a first date that included an 18-pack of beer. 

'I thought, "This obviously is not going to work out,"' he writes in the book. 'I have one day off from The White House and this dude is unironically watching cars go around and make left turns? Next thing you know, it's been a couple months and we're watching NASCAR every Sunday.'

Although he divulges personal details throughout the book, he noted that his partner and family members are private, and so he protects their identities. 

He told People: 'I'm really excited to share our relationship with readers. But Josh, my partner, my parents, and my brother - four people who I'm closest to in the family - are fairly quiet. They don't love attention and shy away from the limelight.'

Penn and Josh were posed with friends at an outdoor social gathering 

Penn and Josh posed with Pete Buttigieg, U.S. transportation secretary, his spouse Chasen and a friend in this social media shot 

Penn and Josh were snapped at a Knicks game in November of 2017 

The pair were seen at Madison Square Garden in March of 2018 for a Knicks game  

In the forthcoming book, Penn said he feels 'very fortunate' that his family and friends have been supportive of his relationship.

'I shared things with my parents and close friends first,' Penn said. 'I felt very supported by everyone. That's a wonderful thing. I know everybody has different experiences with that and so I definitely feel very fortunate.'

Penn said that he 'discovered [his] own sexuality relatively late in life compared to many other people,' adding that 'there's no timeline on this stuff.

'People figure their s*** out at different times in their lives, so I'm glad I did when I did,' he said.

He said 'the whole point of writing this book was for the reader to feel like we're having a beer together. 

'I thought, if we're supposed to feel like we're having a beer together, then I want to take you into my stories and I want you to experience them with the same joy that I've experienced them.' 

 In the literary effort, Penn shares the story of how his long-term relationship came to be, starting with a first date that included an 18-pack of beer 

Candid: His book, You Can't Be Serious, will discuss details of his life no one outside of his family and close friends have been privy to until now

Outtake: The biggest revelation is that the 44-year-old former Obama administration staffer has been in a same-sex relationship with his partner Josh for more than eleven years...and the couple is engaged

The Montclair, New Jersey native has had an established presence in Hollywood for more than 20 years, as he's appeared in movies including Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle and its sequel Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay; as well as Van Wilder and Superman Returns.

He's also appeared on a number of TV shows, including Clarice, Designated Survivor, The Big Bang Theory, How I Met Your Mother and House.

Penn worked at the White House under former President Barack Obama from 2009 thru 2011 in the role of associate director for the Office of Public Engagement, which aims to dialogue with younger voters about prominent issues.

'What I love and am passionate about with service, is this concept that, yes, we elect officials but things don't actually get done until we put our boots to the ground and become part of that solution,' he told ABC News in 2011.

The actor said that it was an 'awe-inspiring' chapter in his life, adding, 'You kind of take a moment and kind of realize where you are - it's humbling.'

On Sunday he appeared on Instagram to promote his upcoming project with his 260,000 followers.

'Kicking off book launch week with @cbssundaymorning today!' he wrote on the app. 'So excited to share my stories with you. #YouCantBeSerious.'   

You Can't Be Serious is slated to be released Tuesday. 

Press rounds: Kal appeared on CBS Sunday morning on October 31 to promote his new book 

Respect to privacy: Although he divulges personal details throughout the book, he noted that his partner and family members are private, and so he protects their identities; seen at an early vote rally in New Jersey earlier this month

Penn previously worked at the White House under former President Barack Obama from 2009 thru 2011 in the role of associate director for the Office of Public Engagement