Oscars: Ke Huy Quan wins best supporting actor for Everything Everywhere All At Once

LOS ANGELES - Ke Huy Quan, the Vietnamese-born actor who as a child appeared in Indiana Jones And The Temple Of Doom (1984), received the Academy Award for best supporting actor for his role as Waymond in Everything Everywhere All At Once.

Quan, 51, made his big-screen debut as actor Harrison Ford’s sidekick, Short Round, in the 1984 film, and later appeared in the film The Goonies (1985) and the situation comedy Head Of The Class (1986 to 1991).

He has spoken publicly about stepping away from acting as an adult, working as a stunt coordinator and assistant director, because there were not enough opportunities for Asian actors.

Quan’s portrayal of Waymond Wang was his first major role since the 1990s.

Quan in his acceptance speech at the Golden Globes acknowledged Indiana Jones director Steven Spielberg for giving him his big break.

“I was raised to never forget where I came from, to always remember who gave me my first opportunity,” Quan said. “I am so happy to see Steven Spielberg here tonight. Steven, thank you.”

Quan said he felt “so very lucky to have been chosen” for the Indiana Jones role, though he began to wonder “if that was it”.

“For so many years, I was afraid I had nothing more to offer, that no matter what I did, I would never surpass what I achieved as a kid,” Quan said.

“Thankfully, more than 30 years later, two guys thought of me. They remembered that kid. And they gave me an opportunity to try again.”

On stage at the Oscars, Quan tearfully acknowledged his 84-year-old mother watching at home, hefting the Oscar and declaring, “Mom, I just won an Oscar!”

“My journey stared on a boat. I spent a year in a refugee camp, and somehow I wound up here on Hollywood’s biggest stage,” Quan said. “They say stories like this only happen in the movies. I cannot believe it’s happening to me. This, this is the American dream.” REUTERS