ABC News’ Devin Dwyer reports:

Kal Penn, best known as the latter half of stoner duo "Harold and Kumar," is reportedly leaving his White House post as associate director of public engagement to make a return to the Silver Screen.

The move was first reported by Entertainment Weekly but was not immediately confirmed by White House officials. Press secretary Robert Gibbs said he hadn’t heard about the departure. The Lavin Agency, which represents Penn, declined to comment.

Penn, who most recently starred in the hit show “House,” left Hollywood to work in the Obama White House after the 2008 election, saying at the time that he was “incredibly honored” by the opportunity. He had campaigned for Obama as a celebrity surrogate from the Iowa caucuses through Election Day.

Entertainment Weekly reports Penn will star in a new Christmas-themed “Harold and Kumar” film due out later this year.

The reasons for Penn’s departure from his post in the White House Office of Public Liaison are unclear.

White House economic advisor Austan Goolsbee suggested on ABC News’ “Top Line” today that money could be at least one of the reasons.

“I'm hurt and offended that you didn't ask whether the million dollar Hollywood contracts were calling for me,” Goolsbee said. “I have not accepted any such contract at this point.”

ABC News’ Lisa Chinn, Ann Compton, Matt Loffman and Nitya Venkataraman contributed to this report.