The Unforgettable House MD Plot Twist: Discover the Real Reason Behind Kal Penn's Departure and Kutner's Shocking Death

Summary

Dr. Kutner's suicide in House MD was shocking and abrupt, leaving viewers wondering why. There was no clear explanation given within the show.

Kal Penn left the show due to an enticing opportunity at the White House, resulting in a challenging discussion with the showrunners.

The intentional absence of an explanation for Kutner's suicide added to the enigma and intricacy of the character. David Shore, the writer of House MD, aimed to delve into the concept of realizing that an individual remains unknown, despite having worked closely with them.

Warning: The following content discusses suicide.

Throughout the series House MD, several characters met their demise, but the most shocking and sudden death occurred in season 5, episode 20, "Simple Explanation," when Dr. Lawrence Kutner (Kal Penn) took his own life. Dr. Kutner was initially introduced in season 4 as one of many applicants vying for a limited number of consultant positions, controlled by Dr. Gregory House (Hugh Laurie). Despite being fired and rehired multiple times during the competition, Kutner ultimately secured a spot alongside Dr. Remy "Thirteen" Hadley (Olivia Wilde) and Dr. Chris Taub (Peter Jacobson).

House Killed Off Kutner Because Kal Penn Wanted To Leave The Show

Kutner, a brilliant and passionate individual, displayed no outward signs of depression while tirelessly solving medical mysteries alongside his colleagues, including the brilliant Dr. House MD, often referred to as the medical Sherlock Holmes. However, in "Simple Explanation," the unexpected and shocking news of Kutner's absence from work eventually leads Thirteen and Foreman to discover his tragic demise – a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. This sudden event in House MD left viewers bewildered, especially since it seemed to come out of nowhere. Despite Cuddy's departure from the series, Kutner's untimely death stood out as one of the most astonishing moments in this medical drama. Ultimately, Dr. House comes to terms with Kutner's suicide, understanding that there may never be a definitive explanation for this heartbreaking act. Interestingly, off-screen, actor Kal Penn's departure from the show had a straightforward explanation.

Kutner's decision to end his own life can ultimately be attributed to actor Kal Penn's departure from House MD to pursue a career in politics. Penn revealed in a recent interview (via NPR) that his co-star Olivia Wilde extended an invitation for him to attend an event in support of then-U.S. Senator Barack Obama during the 2007 Democratic primaries. Initially uninterested in politics, Penn had previously only read Obama's book. However, attending the event proved to be a transformative experience, leading to a change of heart for Penn.

"I attended the event with [Wilde] and genuinely enjoyed it. I was highly impressed by his campaign, to the point where I decided to dedicate three days in Iowa before the caucuses. To my surprise, he emerged as the winner! This victory presented me with a unique opportunity to serve in the White House. It was a decision that required no hesitation. How could I possibly decline such an offer from the President? Even if it meant turning down another project, I knew it was the right choice."

Penn was offered the position of associate director in the White House Office of Public Engagement in early 2009. Accepting this offer ultimately led to him breaking his contract with House MD, resulting in a challenging conversation with the showrunners. In an interview with EW, Penn fondly reminisced about this experience.

"We engaged in a lengthy discussion, during which David Shore questioned if I was expressing dissatisfaction with the show and a desire to leave in order to pursue a different project. I clarified that my intention was quite the opposite. Although I was thoroughly enjoying my time on the show, there was a part of me that longed to explore something entirely different and take a break from acting. Thankfully, with their support, we were able to find a resolution."

After spending two years in the White House, Penn departed in 2011 and joined How I Met Your Mother in a recurring role. However, he eventually made a return to House MD for the series finale of season 8, titled "Everybody Dies," in 2012. In this episode, he appeared as one of Dr. House's hallucinations, alongside Dr. Cuddy, who had also left the show. While the car incident, where House drove into Cuddy's living room after their breakup, explains her departure, the reasons behind Kutner's death remain largely mysterious.

Why Did Kutner Kill Himself? The Lack Of Explanation Was The Point

Kutner's suicide marked a unique occurrence in the realm of TV characters taking their own lives. Unlike previous instances, there was no clear explanation provided as to why Kutner made such a drastic decision. There were no tapes left behind, outlining his reasons or motivations. In one episode, he was present and seemingly fine, and in the next, he was gone. When asked why Kutner couldn't have simply taken a job at another hospital, David Shore, one of the writers for House MD, replied that the suicide was an integral part of the story. The absence of a discernible reason behind it was what intrigued him and gave him inspiration.

For House, a character known for his ability to unravel mysteries and find answers, the fact that he couldn't uncover a diagnosis or a motive for Kutner's suicide was a significant aspect of the narrative. Shore further explained:

For instance, if Penn hadn't received a job offer and decided to leave the House MD cast, Kutner could have remained a significant character on the show for many more years. However, his departure ended up paving the way for one of the most unforgettable and contemplative deaths in the series.

What Kal Penn Has Done Since House

Penn, like many of his former co-stars, remained active in the entertainment industry after the conclusion of House MD. Despite his position in the Obama administration, he continued to pursue his passion for acting. In 2009, he temporarily left his role in the White House to film A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas, and once again in 2011 to take on a recurring role in How I Met Your Mother.

In addition to these projects, Penn portrayed Seth Wright on Netflix's Designated Survivor, a show in which he also served as a consultant. He made appearances on the sitcom Sunnyside in 2019, had a recurring role as Dr. Kevin Campbell on The Big Bang Theory, and portrayed Shaan Tripathi in the 2021 series Clarice. Notably, Penn also created a political talk miniseries called Kal Penn Approves This Message. However, his role and unexpected death on House MD continue to be one of the most memorable aspects of his career for many.

Why Kal Penn Left The White House And Returned To Acting

Kal Penn, initially serving in the White House under President Obama, continued his membership in the President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities throughout Donald Trump's presidency. However, it was Trump's controversial remarks following the Unite the Right Rally in Charlottesville, Virginia in 2017 that ultimately drove Penn and several other committee members to resign. Dissatisfied with the President's inadequate condemnation of the rally's bigotry and his sympathetic stance towards its participants, Penn decided to leave the White House and focus on his acting career once again, even after his departure from the TV series House MD.

Kal Penn Brought His House Character Back

In a surprising turn of events, Dr. Kutner's character, portrayed by Kal Penn, made a comeback on The Daily Show in early 2023. During his guest hosting stint, Penn cleverly utilized existing footage of Dr. House, played by Hugh Laurie, from the TV drama for a sketch on the program.

The sketch on The Daily Show centered around the topic of the "woke mind virus." Penn, as Dr. Kutner, delved into the meaning of this concept and showcased various clips of Republican politicians discussing it in their speeches and interviews. Engaging in a thought-provoking discussion, Penn, in his role as Dr. Kutner, sought to "cure" the infected mind by posing a series of questions related to racism and gender identity, which have also become prominent themes within political campaigns. To catch this entertaining and enlightening sketch, head over to YouTube.

Penn's utilization of his past position to provide satirical critique on the present political environment in the United States is fitting, given his initial departure from the House MD role to engage in politics firsthand.