Ke Huy Quan’s 10 Best Movies And TV Shows

The best Ke Huy Quan movies 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 in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom and as Data in The 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 with Everything 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 like Loki to animated films like Kung 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 as Marvin looking confident while holding a coffee mug in Love Hurts

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10

Kung Fu Panda 4 (2024)

Ke Huy Quan Plays Han

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Kung Fu Panda 4

PG

Action

Adventure

Animation

ScreenRant logo

7/10

Release Date

March 8, 2024

Runtime

94 Minutes

Director

Mike Mitchell, Stephanie Stine

Writers

Jonathan Aibel, Glenn Berger, Darren Lemke

Prequel(s)

Kung Fu Panda, Kung Fu Panda 2, Kung Fu Panda 3

Cast

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  • Headshot Of Jack Black IN The Los Angeles premiere of 'Kung Fu Panda 4'

    Jack Black

  • Headshot Of Awkwafina In The Celebrities arrive at the 29th Annual Critics' Choice Awards

    Awkwafina

Franchise(s)

Kung Fu Panda

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Ke Huy Quan’s entry into the Kung Fu Panda franchise 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. The Everything Everywhere All At Once star 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 4 is 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.

9

Together We Stand (1986-1987)

Ke Huy Quan Plays Jasper Kwong

Ke Huy Quan In Together We Stand

A lesser-known but significant part of Ke Huy Quan’s early career, the 1986-1987 sitcom Together We Stand was a short-lived sitcom about a blended family navigating life’s challenges. Created by Sherwood Schwartz, Together We Stand featured 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 Stand remains a notable part of Ke Huy Quan’s early career, showing his range beyond action-adventure films.

8

Eunuch & Carpenter (1993)

Ke Huy Quan Plays Ba Da-jia

Ke Huy Quan In Eunuch And Carpenter

A departure from Hollywood productions, Eunuch & Carpenter saw 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 & Carpenter proved Quan’s ability to adapt to different cinematic styles. His performance showcased his agility and physical comedy, which were reminiscent of the likes of Jackie Chan’s work in 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.

7

Head Of The Class (1990-1991)

Ke Huy Quan Plays Jasper Kwong

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Head of the Class

TV-G

Comedy

Family

Release Date

1986 – 1990

Network

ABC

Directors

Lee Shallat Chemel, Andrew D. Weyman, Bill Davis, Eric Laneuville, Frank Bonner, Peter Baldwin, Dwayne Hickman

Writers

Rich Eustis, Jeffrey Duteil, Al Jean, Dan Schneider, Denise Moss, Mark Fink, Steven Sullivan, Sy Dukane, Michael Weinberger

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    Billy Connolly

    Billy MacGregor

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    Howard Hesseman

    Charlie Moore

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    Isabella Hofmann

    Uncredited

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    Joe Alaskey

    Jasper Kwong

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Ke Huy Quan’s role in Head of the Class as 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, from Together We Stand, making him one of the few characters to carry over to another show.

The early 1990s sitcom allowed Ke Huy Quan to show a more lighthearted and comedic side, and he fit seamlessly into the ensemble cast. While Head of the Class was 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.

6

Loki (2023)

Ke Huy Quan Plays Ouroboros/A.D. Doug

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Loki

TV-14

Drama

Action

Adventure

Science Fiction

ScreenRant logo

7/10

94

8.5/10

Release Date

2021 – 2022

Network

Disney+

Showrunner

Michael Waldron

Directors

Kate Herron

Writers

Bisha K. Ali

Cast

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  • Headshot Of Sophia Di Martino In The 2024 BAFTA Tea Party

    Sophia Di Martino

    Sylvie / The Variant

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    Tom Hiddleston

    Loki Laufeyson

Franchise(s)

Marvel Cinematic Universe

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Ke Huy Quan’s Marvel Cinematic Universe debut in Loki Season 2 was met with widespread acclaim. Playing Ouroboros (or O.B.), a quirky TVA technician, Quan delivered a standout performance in Loki season 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, Loki is 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 from Everything 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.

Loki Season 2 Cast Guide

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5

Love Hurts (2025)

Ke Huy Quan Plays Marvin Gable

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Love Hurts

R

Action

Comedy

Romance

ScreenRant logo

6/10

20

9.6/10

Release Date

February 7, 2025

Runtime

83 minutes

Director

Jonathan Eusebio

Writers

Luke Passmore, Josh Stoddard, Matthew Murray

Producers

Ben Ormand, David Leitch, Kelly McCormick

Cast

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  • Headshot Of Ke Huy Quan

    Ke Huy Quan

    Marvin Gable

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    Ariana DeBose

    Rose

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The 2025 movie Love Hurts sees 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 in Everything 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 Hurts is a great showcase of Quan’s ability to portray emotional depth and handle complex storytelling.

While Love Hurts wasn’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 Hurts should be considered essential viewing for Ke Huy Quan’s many fans.

4

American Born Chinese (2023)

Ke Huy Quan Plays Jamie Yao/Freddy Wong

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American Born Chinese

Action

Comedy

Release Date

2023 – 2022

Showrunner

Kelvin Yu

Directors

Lucy Liu, Destin Daniel Cretton

Writers

Kelvin Yu

Cast

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    Ben Wang

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    Michelle Yeoh

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    Stephanie Hsu

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    Josh Duvendeck

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In American 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 Chinese blends action, comedy, and heartfelt drama.

Ke Huy Quan’s dual performance is one of the show’s most compelling elements of American 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 Chinese is 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.

3

The Goonies (1985)

Ke Huy Quan Plays Richard “Data” Wang

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The Goonies

PG

Family

Adventure

Comedy

ScreenRant logo

9/10

23

9.2/10

Release Date

June 7, 1985

Runtime

114 minutes

Director

Richard Donner

Writers

Chris Columbus, Steven Spielberg

Sequel(s)

The Goonies 2

Cast

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    Jeff Cohen

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One of the most beloved adventure films of the 1980s, The Goonies follows a group of kids who 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 of The 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 Goonies remains one of the best Ke Huy Quan movies and TV shows, cementing his status as a 1980s icon.

2

Indiana Jones And The Temple Of Doom (1984)

Ke Huy Quan Plays Short Round

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Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom

pg-13

Action

Adventure

ScreenRant logo

8/10

7.7/10

Release Date

May 8, 1984

Runtime

118 Minutes

Director

Steven Spielberg

Writers

Willard Huyck, Gloria Katz

Prequel(s)

Raiders of the Lost Ark

Cast

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  • Headshot Of Harrison Ford In The 29th Annual Critics' Choice Awards

    Harrison Ford

  • Headshot OF Kate Capshaw

    Kate Capshaw

Sequel(s)

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny

Franchise(s)

Indiana Jones

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Ke Huy Quan’s first major role came in 1984s Indiana 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 Doom remains a definitive movie in Quan’s filmography, too. Directed by Steven Spielberg, the prequel to Raiders of the Lost Ark takes 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’s Short Round is a highlight of The Temple of Doom and the wider Indiana Jones franchise, 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 the Indiana Jones franchise, proving that Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom is one of the best Ke Huy Quan movies and TV shows.

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Everything Everywhere All At Once (2022)

Ke Huy Quan Plays Waymond Wang

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Everything Everywhere All at Once

R

Adventure

Comedy

Action

ScreenRant logo

8/10

25

8.8/10

Release Date

March 25, 2022

Runtime

132 minutes

Director

Daniel Kwan, Daniel Scheinert

Writers

Daniel Scheinert, Daniel Kwan

Cast

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    Ke Huy Quan

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Ke Huy Quan’s triumphant Hollywood comeback came with Everything 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. The Everything Everywhere All At Once cast 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 Once is not just one of the best Ke Huy Quan movies and TV shows – it’s a career-defining moment that solidified his legacy in Hollywood.

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