Lawrence Kutner

Dr. Lawrence Kutner was a character portrayed by actor Kal Penn on the Fox TV series House. On an episode titled "Simple Explanation" that first aired April 6, 2009, Kutner is found dead in his home from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The decision to kill Kutner off was apparently made because actor Kal Penn (real name: Kalpen Suresh Modi) wanted to leave the popular medical drama series to pursue a career in politics. He will join The White House as an associate director in the office of public liason. Previously, Penn had worked on the Obama presidential campaign.NJ.com: Kal Penn leaves Fox 'House' for White House (April 7, 2009)

In the show's fourth season, Kutner is introduced along with a number of other new fellows competing for a place on Dr. Gregory House's team. Five fellows introduced in that episode, "The Right Stuff," became series regulars. Another fellow eventually hired by House, Amber Volakis (nicknamed "Cutthroat Bitch" and portrayed by Anne Dudek) died in the final episode of Season 4: "House's Head."