REPORT: Harold & Kumar Filmmaker Danny Leiner Passes Away At 57

HOLLYWOOD, CA. (THECOUNT) — Danny Leiner, a filmmaker perhaps best known for his work on “Dude, Where’s My Car?” and “Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle,” has passed away at the age of 57 after a long illness.

Harold & Kumar star, John Cho, took to twitter to remember the director:

John Cho @JohnTheCho “I am so saddened to hear about the passing of Danny Leiner, who became my friend when he directed Harold and Kumar go to Whitecastle. Danny was so sharp, so funny, and a great dinner companion. To his friends and family, my deepest condolences.” source

Ross Putman, who produced several of his films, confirmed his death on a Facebook post and shared that he was suffering from a “long illness.” John Cho and Kal Penn, Harold & Kumar’s stars, both offered their condolences on Facebook.

Fellow actor and Harold & Kumar franchise member, Kal Penn, also chimed in on the passing:

Kal Penn @kalpenn: “Very sad to learn that our friend Danny Leiner passed away. We initially got to know each other when he directed Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle. Sending my love to his family & friends. He was such a funny, thoughtful, encouraging person.”

Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle, the 2004 stoner classic, launched a franchise that included 2008’s Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay and 2011’s A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas. Dude, Where’s My Car?, the 2000 cult classic, starred Ashton Kutcher and Seann William Scott.

Leiner also directed episodes of The Sopranos, Strangers with Candy, Arrested Development, The Office, Freaks and Geeks, Sports Night, Gilmore Girls, and Felicity. His last credit was for an episode of Selfie, where he and Cho reunited.