His rise to fame happened almost by accident, but Ke Huy Quan quickly became one of the most recognizable child actors of the 1980s.
Quan shot to international fame with standout roles as Short Round opposite Harrison Ford in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom and as the inventive Data in cult classic The Goonies. Despite his early success, opportunities faded as he grew older, and he eventually stepped away from acting for nearly 20 years.
Both of Quan’s most iconic films were directed by Steven Spielberg, widely regarded as one of the greatest filmmakers in history. And while Spielberg went on to create blockbuster after blockbuster, he never lost touch with the young actor who got his start under his direction.
In a recent interview, Quan revealed that Spielberg has sent him Christmas presents every single year since they worked together. Nearly four decades later, the gesture still means the world to him. “He gave me my first job,” Quan said, adding that Spielberg has always been there whenever he needed support.
Now back in the spotlight thanks to his acclaimed comeback in Everything Everywhere All at Once, Quan reflected on how much it meant to know he hadn’t been forgotten during his years away from Hollywood.
Looking back on his early roles, Quan recalled that on Indiana Jones he was the only child on set and soaked up plenty of attention, while The Goonies felt more like home, given he grew up in a family of nine kids. He described filming as pure fun, with massive sets that felt like a playground.
Quan has also credited Spielberg with helping open doors for Asian representation in major studio films, noting how rare it was at the time to see an Asian character portrayed as brave, funny, and heroic.
From lifelong mentorship to heartfelt reunions, Quan’s story—and Spielberg’s enduring kindness—offers a reminder that Hollywood can still have a heart.
