Kal Penn Reveals How His Role as an Extra on ‘Boy Meets World’ Jumpstarted His Career—Despite Actors’ Warnings!

Kal Penn recently reflected on his early career, which included a memorable role as an extra on Boy Meets World.

In a recent episode of the podcast Pod Meets World, Penn joined former Boy Meets World stars Danielle Fishel, Rider Strong, and Will Friedle. He shared how being an extra on the show left a lasting impact on him.

Penn began working as an extra while studying film and sociology at UCLA in the late ’90s. He wanted to learn about filmmaking and decided to get some hands-on experience. Despite warnings from seasoned actors that background work rarely leads to speaking roles, he was eager to learn the ropes.

He expressed admiration for professional background artists, stating that the job could be quite challenging. To find work, extras often registered with casting agencies and called regularly to check for available gigs.

Penn noted that while he didn’t keep in touch with fellow extras from his shows, he had good interactions with the Boy Meets World crew. He appreciated how welcoming they were compared to other sets where he had worked. He remembered feeling inspired by their passion for acting.

“Being on Boy Meets World was like night and day,” he said. He felt a sense of joy working with a cast that genuinely enjoyed their jobs. It was motivating for him as an aspiring actor, showing that love for the craft can significantly impact the workplace.

Penn mentioned that his appearance on Boy Meets World was unique. It was the only show where he was actually visible on screen. However, he played it cool and didn’t share with his family or friends that he would be on the show until it aired. After it was broadcast, his mom was thrilled and told all her friends.

After his stint as an extra, Penn eventually signed with an agent, leading him to more significant roles. His breakthrough came in 2004 with Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle, which launched his career to new heights.

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