Danny Leiner, director of "Harold & Kumar" and "Sopranos", died at 57

Director Danny Leiner, who directed the film "Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle" in New Jersey, is dead.

Leiner, who was 57 when he died on Oct. 18, was also known to have directed a television series including an episode of "The Sopranos" and the hit comedy "Dude, Where's My Car?" In 2000.

Leiner's brother, Ken, told the Hollywood Reporter that the director had died of cancer after a long illness.

"Harold and Kumar Go to the White Castle", released in 2004, stars John Cho and Kal Penn, native of Montclair, friends of the city of Hoboken who embark on an epic mission for White Castle after being stoned and contracted a solid case. Their fast-food imagination is seemingly thwarted at every turn. On their way to a white castle in Cherry Hill, they meet in Newark, Princeton and the wilderness of South Jersey.

The film, written by Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg of Randolph, sparked off in 2008 and 2011.

"Danny's sense of humor alone should send him to paradise, not to mention that he was an awesome guy," Schlossberg tweeted on Saturday.

"We lost a great man today" Hurwitz tweeted. "Harold and Kumar go to the White Castle – was not only my first film, but also my first time on the set.I was there every day, because Danny was asking for it. Writers do not benefit from this treatment.Walk to management.Thank you, my old friend. "

Penn41, a graduate of Freehold Township High School, remembers Leiner.

"Very sad to hear that our friend Danny Leiner is dead," he tweeted on Saturday. "We first got to know each other when he directed Harold and Kumar, Go To White Castle, he sent my love to his family and friends, he was such a funny, thoughtful person and encouraging. "

cho, 46, also commemorated Leiner.

"Danny was so lively, so funny and a great companion for dinner," he tweeted. "To his friends and family, my deepest condolences."

Ashton Kutcher, 40, who played alongside Seann William Scott in "Dude, where is my car?" also reminded Leiner.

Very sad to learn that our friend Danny Leiner is dead. We first knew each other when he directed Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle. Send my love to his family and friends. He was so funny, thoughtful and encouraging.

– Kal Penn (@kalpenn) October 20, 2018

"Rip Danny Leiner," he tweeted. "Thank you for supporting this young actor who thought he knew too much too early in his career … and young people … No, then!"

Leiner directed the episode of "The Sopranos" entitled "Luxury Lounge" in 2006, during which Christopher Moltisanti (Michael Imperioli) tries to sell Ben Kingsley in his film project with Carmine Lupertazzi Jr. (Ray Abruzzo). The episode featured Lauren Bacall.

Leiner has also directed episodes of "The Tick", "Arrested Development", "Felicity", "Gilmore Girls", "Party of Five" and "The Spirit of the Married Man" from HBO.

The director, who grew up in Park Slope, Brooklyn, first met Edie Falco, star of the "Sopranos", while they were both students at State University of New York at Purchase. Leiner directed Falco and John Leguizamo in the short film "Time Expired" in 1992, and again teamed up with Falco for "Layin & # 39; Low" in 1996 and "The Great New Wonderful" in 2005, on Life after September. 11 New York City.

Amy Kuperinsky can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @ AmyKup or on Facebook.