Ke Huy Quan, a former child star in two of the biggest movies of the 1980s, made a remarkable comeback by winning an Oscar for best-supporting actor. Quan starred as the gadget-loving Data in The Goonies and as Chinese pickpocket Short Round in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. However, as he grew up, the roles dried up, and he settled for working behind the scenes as a stunt coordinator and assistant director.
Quan moved from Vietnam to Hong Kong as a refugee, then settled in the US. His life changed when he went to support his younger brother at an audition for Indiana Jones at the age of 12. Quan didn't intend to audition, but the casting director suggested he try out too. Three weeks later, Quan was on his way to Sri Lanka to start shooting the film.
Inspired by the success of Crazy Rich Asians in 2018, Quan decided to try to get back on screen. He received a script for Everything Everywhere All at Once and won the role of Waymond Wang, the husband of Michelle Yeoh's launderette manager, as well as multiple versions of Waymond from alternative universes. The film is an inventive cross between an indie drama about an immigrant family, a zany sci-fi adventure, and a superhero action film.
Quan’s Oscar win is a significant achievement that represents his hard work and dedication to his craft. He said that it took courage to give voice to his dream of acting, a dream he had to walk away from. He also faced additional challenges as an Asian actor trying to make it in Hollywood, where meaningful Asian characters were scarce, and actors of Asian descent were often typecast in small and stereotypical roles.
Quan's success is a testament to the power of perseverance and determination. He never gave up on his dream, and his comeback story is an inspiration to many. As he said in his acceptance speech, "This is the American dream."
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