Many times, working on a movie has been said to be like working with one big family. When working on Lucasfilm’s Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, Ke Huy Quan certainly got to see that first hand when he met Mark Hamill and his fellow co-star Carrie Fisher, who visited the set one day. While reminiscing about his time playing Short Round in Harrison Ford’s second adventure, Quan told the Happy Sad Confused podcast:
"There was one day, you know, we shot the majority of the movie in London at Elstree Studios, and one day two grown-ups came to visit us, and I didn't even know who they were at that time. And it was Carrie Fisher and Mark Hamill, and we just spent an entire afternoon together, it was not until after the movie when they showed me, when George Lucas screened Star Wars to me that I realized 'Oh my God, that one afternoon I was having so much fun with Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, and Princess Leia!'. I mean that was the entire- You know, those memories that I had of that shoot was that, and it was just so wonderful and amazing, and joyful."
Having been given his first role by Steven Spielberg, Quan was called on again by the director to appear in The Goonies. However, following that movie, the actor found it hard to get parts in Hollywood and dropped out of the acting game.
How Did Ke Huy Quan Make An Award-Winning Comeback in 2022?
Ke Huy Quan remained out of mainstream Hollywood until he saw the success of the movie Crazy Rich Asians. Then, inspired to return for another shot at success as an adult, he managed to impress at an audition for Everything Everywhere All At Once just two weeks after deciding to give acting another go.
Now, the world is literally Quan’s oyster, as his Golden Globe win has elevated his profile in the business higher than he could ever have imagined just a few years ago. While there will no doubt be plenty more opportunities now coming Quan’s way, his dance card is already filling up more quickly than ever before his award triumph. The actor will be seen in this year’s second season of Loki after being personally asked to join the MCU by Marvel Studios boss Kevin Feige, and also takes on the role of Freddy Wong in the Disney+ adaptation of American Born Chinese. In addition, Quan has also been cast in the Russo Brothers’ sci-fi movie The Electric State.
Although Steven Spielberg professed that he did not give Quan the role of Short Round to give him a break in the industry but knew he was perfect for the role, there is no doubt that those early castings led Quan down the road to success. While it may have taken him longer than expected to make his mark in Hollywood as an adult, he is certainly making up for lost time now.