The bestKe Huy Quanmovies and TV shows highlight his incredible journey from beloved child star to Academy Award-winning actor. Born in 1971 in Vietnam, Quan moved to the United States as a refugee and found early fame in Hollywood. He shot to stardom as Short Round inIndiana Jones and the Temple of Doomand as Data inThe Goonies, cementing his status as an ‘80s icon. However, despite his talent,Quan took a long hiatus, working behind the scenes in Hollywood.
After decades away, Quan made a triumphant return withEverything Everywhere All at Once, a film that not only revitalized his career but also earned him an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. His emotional speeches and infectious enthusiasm reminded the world why he had been such a beloved figure. Since then, he has continued to take on exciting projects, from major TV series likeLokito animated films likeKung Fu Panda 4. His career resurgence proves his talent never faded, and the best Ke Huy Quan movies and TV shows each demonstrate a different side of his incredible range.
Ke Huy Quan’s First Leading Role 40 Years After His Breakout Is So Deserved
Ke Huy Quan is playing the lead character in the action-comedy film Love Hurts, which is great for someone who has had such a rough Hollywood career.
Ke Huy Quan’s entry into theKung Fu Pandafranchise as Han brings fresh energy to the beloved animated series. Directed by Mike Mitchell, the film continues the adventures of Po, who embarks on a new journey alongside a cunning thief named Zhen. Quan voices Han, a formidable Sunda pangolin who runs the Den of Thieves. TheEverything Everywhere All At Oncestar fits right into the franchise’s blend of action and comedy, with Quan’s expressive voice and natural comedic timing adding a significant amount of charm to what could have been an incredibly forgettable character.
Though not his most well-known performance, Quan’s presence elevates the movie, making a supporting presence like Han into one of the most memorable.Kung Fu Panda 4is a visually stunning and heartfelt continuation of the series, featuring returning stars like Jack Black, Dustin Hoffman,and newcomers like Awkwafina. While Quan’s role may not be central to the plot, his return to voice acting highlights his versatility. The film continues DreamWorks' tradition of balancing humor with inspiring messages, making it a fun and entertaining addition to Ke Huy Quan’s filmography.
Nothing Is Easy
Cast
Nothing Is Easy, released on Jun 08, 2025, is an American television series created by Sherwood Schwartz. The show explores the dynamics of a diverse family, featuring David and Lori Randall, who adopt children from various backgrounds. It originally aired on CBS and was directed by Andrew D. Weyman.
A lesser-known but significant part of Ke Huy Quan’s early career, the 1986-1987 sitcomTogether We Standwas a short-lived sitcom about a blended family navigating life’s challenges. Created by Sherwood Schwartz,Together We Standfeatured Quan as Jasper Kwong, a young Vietnamese adoptee adjusting to his new American family. Despite its cancellation after one season, the series allowed Quan to showcase his comedic chops and natural likability.
While the show itself never gained mainstream popularity, Quan’s performance was a highlight. He brought warmth and depth to Jasper, standing out among a cast that included Dee Wallace and Elliott Gould. Though the series didn’t last, it was one of the early signs of his ability to shine in both comedic and heartfelt roles.Even in a brief run,Together We Standremains a notable part of Ke Huy Quan’s early career, showing his range beyond action-adventure films.
A departure from Hollywood productions,Eunuch & Carpentersaw Ke Huy Quan stepping into the Taiwanese TV industry. The 1993 TV show is a period comedy featuring Quan as Ba Dajia, a character caught up in humorous yet dangerous political intrigue. The film’s fast-paced storytelling and slapstick humor made it a cult favorite in certain circles, despite never reaching global recognition.
Directed by veteran filmmaker Shao-feng Cheng,Eunuch & Carpenterproved Quan’s ability to adapt to different cinematic styles.His performance showcased his agility and physical comedy, which were reminiscent of thelikes of Jackie Chan’s workin the martial arts comedy genre. Though not as widely seen as his Hollywood projects, this TV show demonstrated Ke Huy Quan’s international appeal and talent in both comedic and action-driven roles.
Ke Huy Quan’s role inHead of the Classas Jasper Kwong marked another notable entry in his early television career. The series, created by Michael Elias and Richard Eustis, focused on a group of gifted high school students and their unconventional teacher. Quan reprised his character, Jasper Kwong, fromTogether We Stand, making him one of the few characters to carry over to another show.
The early 1990s sitcomallowed Ke Huy Quan to show a more lighthearted and comedic side, and he fit seamlessly into the ensemble cast.WhileHead of the Classwas primarily centered around the teacher-student dynamic, Quan’s presence added diversity to the mix, offering representation in an era when Asian American actors were rarely seen in lead roles. Though not his most famous work, the series further solidified his status as a rising star in ‘90s television.
Ke Huy Quan’s Marvel Cinematic Universe debut inLokiSeason 2 was met with widespread acclaim. Playing Ouroboros (or O.B.), a quirky TVA technician, Quan delivered a standout performance inLokiseason 2 that quickly made him a fan favorite. His character’s eccentricity and intelligence made him an integral part of the season’s storyline, balancing humor with depth in a way only Quan could.
Created by Michael Waldron,Lokiis one of the MCU’s most imaginative series, and Quan’s addition was a brilliant move - especially given his prior experience with multiverse-based stories fromEverything Everywhere All At Once.Sharing the screen with Tom Hiddleston and Owen Wilson, he seamlessly fit into the show’s dynamic, proving his versatility yet again. While he didn’t receive award recognition for this role, critics and fans alike praised his return to mainstream Hollywood, cementing his place in one of the best Ke Huy Quan movies and TV shows.
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The 2025 movieLove Hurtssees Ke Huy Quan stepping into a more dramatic role as Marvin Gable, and instantly became one of his best movies - especially post his successful comeback inEverything Everywhere All At Once. He portrays a character grappling with love and loss in unexpected ways, and Quan plays effortlessly into the nuance and shifting emotions of Gable. Directed by Jonathan Eusebio,Love Hurtsis a great showcase of Quan’s ability to portray emotional depth and handle complex storytelling.
WhileLove Hurtswasn’t a hit with critics, Ke Huy Quan’s performance as Marvin remains a standout of his career. The movie marks another step in his remarkable career resurgence, proving that his Academy Award win was no fluke.With a compelling story and strong performances from costars like Ariana DeBose, Daniel Wu, and Marshawn Lynch,Love Hurtsshould be considered essential viewing for Ke Huy Quan’s many fans.
InAmerican Born Chinese,Ke Huy Quan plays Jamie Yao, a former TV actor, and Freddy Wong, a character from a fictionalized 1990s sitcom. The Disney+ series, based on Gene Luen Yang’s acclaimed graphic novel, follows Jin Wang (Ben Wang), an American teenager who gets caught up in a battle between mythical Chinese gods. The show explores themes of identity, belonging, and cultural representation, making it a unique addition to the coming-of-age genre. Co-starring Michelle Yeoh, Daniel Wu, and Yeo Yann Yann,American Born Chineseblends action, comedy, and heartfelt drama.
Ke Huy Quan’s dual performance is one of the show’s most compelling elements ofAmerican Born Chinese. As Jamie Yao, he portrays the struggles of an aging actor typecast in offensive roles, a reflection of Quan’s own experiences in Hollywood. His portrayal brings both emotional depth and authenticity to Jamie’s journey, making his arc one of the most poignant in the series. Meanwhile, his over-the-top portrayal of Freddy Wong highlights the exaggerated stereotypes that plagued past television portrayals of Asian characters.American Born Chineseis not just one of the best Ke Huy Quan movies and TV shows - t’s also a powerful statement on Asian-American representation in media.
One of the most beloved adventure films of the 1980s,The Gooniesfollows a group of kidswho embark on a quest to find a legendary pirate treasure to save their homes from foreclosure. Directed by Richard Donner and produced by Steven Spielberg, the now cult-classic movie was an instant hit, blending comedy, action, and heartfelt friendships. Ke Huy Quan plays Richard “Data” Wang, the tech-savvy member of the Goonies whose homemade gadgets often save the group from danger.
Quan’s portrayal of Data adds a fun, inventive energy to the ensemble cast ofThe Goonies. His character, inspired by James Bond’s Q, is a genius inventor whose contraptions - including “slick shoes” and a boxing glove hidden in his jacket - are as unpredictable as they are effective. Despite being a sidekick in the group, Data’s resourcefulness and courage make him an essential part of the adventure. His chemistry with co-stars Sean Astin, Corey Feldman, and Josh Brolin contributes to the film’s enduring appeal.Decades later,The Gooniesremains one of the best Ke Huy Quan movies and TV shows, cementing his status as a 1980s icon.
Ke Huy Quan’s first major role came in 1984sIndiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, where he played Short Round, the fast-talking, street-smart orphan who becomes Indiana Jones’ sidekick. While decades have passed since,The Temple of Doomremains a definitive movie in Quan’s filmography, too. Directed by Steven Spielberg, the prequel toRaiders of the Lost Arktakes Indy (Harrison Ford) on a thrilling adventure to recover stolen sacred stones in India. Along the way, he relies on Short Round, whose wit, loyalty, and quick thinking make him an invaluable ally.
Ke Huy Quan’sShort Round is a highlight ofThe Temple of Doomand the widerIndiana Jonesfranchise, balancing humor, action, and heart. Unlike many child sidekicks in adventure movies,Short Round is not just comic relief - he plays a crucial role in saving Indy multiple times, and his scenes with Ford, from playing poker to escaping danger together, showcase an endearing mentor-student dynamic. Nearly 40 years later, fans still call for his return to theIndiana Jonesfranchise, proving thatIndiana Jones and the Temple of Doomis one of the best Ke Huy Quan movies and TV shows.
Ke Huy Quan’s triumphant Hollywood comeback came withEverything Everywhere All At Once, a genre-defying film directed by Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert. The 2022 movie stars Michelle Yeoh as Evelyn Wang, a laundromat owner who discovers she can access parallel versions of herself. Quan plays multiple versions of her husband, Waymond Wang, including a timid IRS auditor, a skilled martial artist, and an elegant, Wong Kar-wai-inspired version of himself. His ability to shift between different personas seamlessly is a testament to his incredible range.
Ke Huy Quan’s performance earned him the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, making him the first Asian male actor to win in the category since 1985.His emotional monologue about kindness and the importance of choosing love over conflict became one of the film’s most powerful moments. TheEverything Everywhere All At Oncecast also includes Stephanie Hsu, Jamie Lee Curtis, and James Hong, but Quan’s heartfelt portrayal of Waymond stands out as one of the most moving performances of the year.Everything Everywhere All At Onceis not just one of the bestKe Huy Quanmovies and TV shows - it’s a career-defining moment that solidified his legacy in Hollywood.
