Immigrant of the Day: Ke Huy Quan (Vietnam)

The film Everything Everywhere All at Once took home many accolades at last night’s Oscars, as Kevin has already highlighted. One of the film’s awards went to actor Ke Huy Quan for Best Supporting Actor.

Every child of the 80s knows Ke Huy Quan. He starred in two of the decades’ most iconic films: Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984) and The Goonies (1985).

Ke Huy Quan was born in Vietnam. His family fled the country when he was young. He spent a year in a refugee camp before being resettled in the United States. Last night, Ke Huy Quan paid homage to that history with his acceptance speech:

My journey started on a boat. I spent a year in a refugee camp. And somehow, I ended up here on Hollywood’s biggest stage. They say stories like these only happen in the movies. I cannot believe it’s happening to me. This– this is the American dream. Thank you so much.

His speech starts at 1:20 below:

-KitJ