The morning of January 11 marked a joyful occasion and a sense of pride for Vietnamese audiences as a Vietnamese actor received recognition at the Golden Globe Awards for the first time. Ke Huy Quan achieved a remarkable victory, surpassing even Brad Pitt in the Best Supporting Actor category for his performance in the critically acclaimed film Everything Everywhere All at Once.
After four decades of ups and downs in the film industry, Hollywood has finally given Ke Huy Quan a second chance, and the actor did not disappoint.
A Star Once Forgotten by Steven Spielberg
Ke Huy Quan, born in 1971 to a Vietnamese family of Chinese descent in Ho Chi Minh City, moved to the United States at the age of eight, marking the beginning of his aspiring acting career.
At the age of 12, the young star caught the attention of renowned director Steven Spielberg, landing a role in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom as Short Round, the sidekick of Indiana Jones (played by Harrison Ford). This role catapulted Ke Huy Quan into the Hollywood spotlight, especially in productions featuring a strong Asian influence. His next significant contribution was in The Goonies, further solidifying his presence in the industry.
Despite his minor roles in the Indiana Jones series, Ke Huy Quan harbored a profound nostalgia for his time in the industry. He shared that even after many years, Steven Spielberg had not forgotten his presence. The two maintained contact, and Ke Huy Quan would even send Christmas gifts to the director.
While Spielberg may not have forgotten him, Hollywood seemed to have largely overlooked him over the course of four decades…
40 Years Forgotten by Hollywood
After The Goonies, Ke Huy Quan continued to take on various roles in lesser-known films like Passenger and It Takes a Thief, but nothing matched the success of Indiana Jones. His experience with Taekwondo led him to work on several projects outside of Hollywood, including collaborations in Japan and China. He even returned to Vietnam to participate in the film Hồng Hải Tặc, which was a joint production between Hong Kong and Vietnam, alongside notable stars like Trương Ngọc Ánh and Lý Hùng.
Ke Huy Quan in his youth.
However, this long absence did not improve Ke Huy Quan’s situation. The older he got, the harder it became for him to land quality roles as Hollywood continued to “pigeonhole” him into stereotypical Asian roles. By 1991, Ke Huy Quan was cast in the lead role in Breathing Fire. Unfortunately, the film turned out to be a “box office bomb,” overshadowing his potential.
As he grew older and realized opportunities in film were dwindling, Ke Huy Quan decided to step away from acting in 2002 to focus on behind-the-scenes work. He became known for his dedication to the craft, eventually becoming part of Jet Tone, the company of renowned director Wong Kar-wai, before transitioning back to Hollywood.
In 2021, a call from A24 changed his life forever. Ke Huy Quan became a leading man in the project Everything Everywhere All at Once. Initially, he was cast alongside Thành Long, but ultimately, Dương Tử Quỳnh became the main character. Many opinions suggest that if Thành Long had been chosen, Ke Huy Quan’s role might have been different or even nonexistent.
In Everything Everywhere All at Once, Ke Huy Quan plays Waymond, the husband of Evelyn (played by Dương Tử Quỳnh). While appearing in the main role, Waymond is also shown in various other forms, showcasing a more comedic and whimsical side. His action sequences, where he wears a fanny pack, became a highlight appreciated by audiences and critics alike.
Ke Huy Quan’s performances and his remarkable journey made a significant impact at the Golden Globe Awards this year, as he received the prestigious honor of Best Supporting Actor, becoming the first Vietnamese actor to achieve such recognition. Upon receiving the award, he was overcome with emotion, expressing gratitude to his first mentor, Steven Spielberg, and the recent team of Everything Everywhere All at Once.
2022 is certainly a year that Ke Huy Quan will cherish and celebrate. He starred alongside Dương Tử Quỳnh and had the opportunity to reunite with Harrison Ford, winning the Golden Globe Award and is set to appear in a Marvel film. At an event announcing Disney’s projects in Singapore, Ke Huy Quan made a grand appearance on the big screen, featured in the second season of Loki, alongside lead actor Tom Hiddleston.
At 51 years old, Ke Huy Quan has shed tears for the opportunities that have opened up for him and his fellow Asian actors in Hollywood. The actor shared on Jimmy Kimmel Live that, “Opportunities for Asian actors in Hollywood have been incredibly rare, and I felt that I was closing in on my career to maintain my passion. Therefore, I am really happy to see that Hollywood has changed, and Asian actors now have brighter opportunities.” It is clear that at this moment, Hollywood has no reason to forget Ke Huy Quan again!
Images: Getty Images, Golden Globes
