Top 10 Moments That Made Us Love Ke Huy Quan
#10: How “Crazy Rich Asians” Brought Him Back
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Contrary to what some assume, Ke Huy Quan never left Hollywood. As he grew older, though, Quan struggled to find parts for Asian actors in the U.S. He thus decided to shift his focus to the production side of cinema. Although Quan was content working behind the scenes for years, his inner acting bug was awakened when “Crazy Rich Asians” achieved critical acclaim and massive financial success. With Asian representation on the rise, Quan decided to get a talent agent and reenter the acting game. “Finding ʻOhana,” a spiritual successor to “The Goonies,” marked Quan’s first film appearance in almost two decades. However, it was another film ironically starring a “Crazy Rich Asians” cast member that propelled Quan’s acting return to another level.
#9: Getting the Fanny Pack Look Down
“The Kelly Clarkson Show” (2019-)
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Quan took several risks with his performance in “Everything Everywhere All at Once.” For starters, very few people in the multiverse can wear a fanny pack while still looking respectable. Quan not only pulled off the look, but he made fanny packs appear surprisingly deadly. In addition to training for weeks with the film crew, Quan brought the fanny pack home to practice with. He’d be swinging the lengthy fanny pack around while watching television standing up. Quan’s wife, Echo, was one of his main inspirations for getting back into acting. As Quan started knocking over glasses, lamps, and other household items with the fanny pack, though, Echo said, “Honey, can you please go practice in the backyard?” Fanny packs, who knew?
#8: “Still Being Here” with Brendan Fraser
“Encino Man” (1992)
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In one of his last film appearances before taking an acting hiatus, Quan played computer club president Kim in “Encino Man.” The 1992 comedy starred one of Quan’s fellow Goonies, Sean Astin. However, the film is best remembered for cementing Brendan Fraser’s leading man status. After various setbacks, Quan and Fraser made triumphant returns to the limelight around the same time in 2022. Quan would praise Fraser’s tear-jerking acting feat in “The Whale” while Fraser hailed Quan’s work in “Everything Everywhere” as “the performance of his lifetime.” Upon reuniting for a Hollywood Reporter roundtable, Fraser and Quan celebrated still being around after almost three decades. The two had another “Encino Man” reunion at the Critics’ Choice Awards where they both won prizes, hugging it out.
#7: His TV Work
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Quan made multiple memorable small screen appearances during his youth. “Together We Stand Article,” or “Nothing Is Easy” as it was retitled after Elliott Gould’s character died six episodes in, only lasted a season. Quan was singled out as a bright spot, though, winning a Young Artist Award. An older Quan joined the final two seasons of “Head of the Class” as transfer student Jasper Kwong. Quan appeared on a “Tales from the Crypt” episode and landed a main role in the Taiwan series “The Big Eunuch and the Little Carpenter” before stepping away from acting. Now, with a role in “Loki” Season 2 and a Disney+ series based on the “American Born Chinese” graphic novel, Quan is crushing the TV scene more than ever.
#6: His Unsung Behind-the-Scenes Work
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In addition to possessing sharp comedic timing, Quan has demonstrated his martial arts skills in films like 1991’s “Breathing Fire.” Quan brought these gifts to the table when he transitioned from acting to film production. Upon graduating from the University of Southern California, he teamed up with revered Hong Kong filmmaker Corey Yuen to choreograph the action in a little superhero movie called “X-Men.” Shortly after, Quan served as Yuen’s assistant again in the Jeti Li sci-fi action movie, “The One.” In addition to stunt choreography, Quan has worked as an assistant director on the romantic drama “2046.” Almost twenty years after working with Wolverine, more people are starting to realize that Quan is a superhero in his own right.
#5: His Enduring Friendship with “The Goonies” Cast
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Onscreen friendships don’t always translate to real-life friendships. Even when they do, they don’t always last for decades. Yet, Quan has remained good friends with his “Goonies” co-stars, particularly Chunk himself, Jeff Cohen. You can tell from documented footage that Quan and Cohen had a great rapport beyond the set. Although Cohen phased out of acting, he still works as an entertainment lawyer. It’s only fitting that Cohen helped secure the deal for Quan to star in “Everything Everywhere.” At the 2022 Unforgettable Gala, Cohen and Sean Astin presented an award to Quan while also sharing some fun anecdotes. Quan has taken part in a few “Goonies” reunions as well, most notably one moderated by Josh Gad. Now if only we could get that sequel.
#4: Thanking Steven Spielberg
“80th Golden Globe Awards” (2023)
Quan has won numerous awards for his performance in “Everything Everywhere,” including the Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor. On the same night that Steven Spielberg picked up a few Globes for “The Fabelmans,” Quan didn’t forget to thank the director who gave him his start almost 40 years earlier. Spielberg was as ecstatic as anyone else in the room, giving Quan a standing ovation after his speech. For a period, Quan thought he might’ve peaked working with Speilberg back in the day. The Daniels would remember that kid from those classic Spielberg movies, though, giving Quan his most celebrated role yet. Quan and Spielberg shared a heartwarming embrace at the ceremony where the idea of a Short Round spinoff was floated around. Speaking of which…
#3: Stealing the Show as Short Round
“Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom” (1984)
In the early 80s, Quan accompanied his little brother to an open-call audition for the “Indiana Jones” sequel. Although Quan wasn’t there to audition, the casting director asked him to read. Not long after, Quan found himself working with Spielberg, George Lucas, and Harrison Ford. At a time when Asian actors generally weren’t given prominent roles in blockbusters, Quan truly felt seen. He shined as Indy’s sidekick, even improvising the card scene. Quan also picked up a few lessons from Ford, like how to swim. 38 years later, Quan and Ford both happened to be at D23 promoting new projects. Quan wasn’t sure if Ford would recognize him until he asked, “Are you Short Round?,” to which he replied, “Yes, Indy.” Cue the big hug!
#2: Richard “Data” Wang
“The Goonies” (1985)
Only a year after playing Short Round, Quan appeared in another Spielberg production. Quan didn’t even have to audition for Data, who has more gadgets up his sleeve than 007. Granted, Data’s inventions didn’t always work, but there wasn’t a kid growing up who didn’t want a suction cup belt, Pinchers of Peril, or a pair of Slick Shoes. Data had even more gizmos in the film’s deleted scenes, which are a treasure trove in their own right. Data’s confrontation with an octopus, in particular, might be one of the most popular movie moments ever left on the cutting room floor. Yet, it’s still referenced in the film. Although Quan didn’t keep any of Data’s “booty traps,” he still has the character’s iconic jacket.
#1: His Grand Return
“Everything Everywhere All at Once” (2022)
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Universes aligned as Quan decided to revisit acting just as the Daniels were having a hard time filling the role of Waymond Wang. The directors had been wondering what happened to the Short Round actor, soon finding that he was perfect for the role. Perhaps we should say role(s), as Quan plays multiple incarnations of Waymond, shifting from humble laundromat owner to fanny pack-swinging badass in a snap. In addition to demonstrating his physical versatility, Quan masterfully balances humor and empathy in a performance that promotes a simple yet profound message: be kind. He does all of this while acting opposite the legendary Michelle Yeoh as the practical Evelyn. The character has taken Quan to many unexpected places, including the Academy Awards.
