Ke Huy Quan Wins His First Oscar After Struggling for Decades in Hollywood

His first role was at the age of 12, but since The Goonies, his acting career has been fading. However, he gave it a try once again at the age of 50, which has become a decision he’ll never regret, as Ke Huy Quan just won his first Oscar. And that was an “American dream” he didn’t think would ever come true.

He came to the US as a refugee with his family.

Quan mentioned in his acceptance speech how he set off on his acting career, saying, “My journey started on a boat. I spent a year in a refugee camp.” He, along with his parents and 8 siblings, settled in the US through the refugee settlement program in 1979. “And somehow, I ended up here, on Hollywood’s biggest stage.”

Quan had a hard time getting movie roles.

After his participation in Indiana Jones and The Goonies, Quan revealed that there were not many parts that he got, which led him to go behind the scenes. “I remember not having one single audition for an entire year,” he sighed. “I thought: ’What am I doing? I can’t be waiting for the phone to ring every day.’”

He was inspired by Crazy Rich Asians to pursue acting again.

He got his courage back when he saw the award-winning film, which seemed like a breath of fresh air in Hollywood. “I noticed Asian actors were getting more opportunities, and I began to harbor this dream of getting back into acting,” said Quan. He then decided that if he didn’t do this, he would regret it.

He thanked his mother among many others.

In his speech, Quan gave thanks to the cast, his Goonies brother, Jeff Cohen, and his 84-year-old mother who was watching him. “Thank you to my mom for the sacrifices she made to get me here,” Quan said.

He continued to express his gratitude in an interview, sharing, “She sacrificed so much. She had a great life where she came from, and she gave all that up.” Quan was very grateful to his parents.

We also have some fun facts about the Oscars here and here.