You can always expect grinning selfies from Ke Huy Quan at awards ceremonies. Quan won Best Supporting Actor at the Oscars for his role in Everything Everywhere All At Once (2022) and it was the selfies and his genuine excitement that the general public noted.
Though an Oscar is a pivotal achievement, it seemed like Quan was just happy to be there, reflecting his character in that movie, who was just trying to be a supportive husband and father.
It’s this aspect of Quan’s personality that shines in his latest movie Love Hurts (2025).
It’s an action rom-com released just in time for Valentine’s Day this year, about missed love and fighting for what you want in life. Marvin (Quan), hitman turned star real estate agent— regional realtor of the year to be specific— is pulled back into his violent past when a Valentine’s card shows up, unexpectedly. Against his will, he has to fall back into his old self and along the way has to fight to clear an old love’s name.
At times the movie is a cliche action flick with even more cliche romantic elements— of course, the main character is in love with the woman who comes back into his life, and of course, it turns out the the main character can jump right back into hand-to-hand combat even though he’s been selling houses for years. However, Quan adds his refreshing personality that gives the film a more interesting and engaging touch.
Marvin reflects Quan’s happy-go-lucky personality and very sweet outlook— both want the best for themselves and the people around them, a big theme of the movie. Quan’s performance in the movie is one for the ages. It’s evident from the way the audience reacted to his 2023 Oscar win that the genuine kindness and enthusiasm that Quan exudes is not just for the cameras or for social media. Everyone in the audience looks almost as happy and excited as Quan himself does.
Quan’s acting debut came at the age of twelve and thirteen as, ‘Short-Round,’ in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984) and, ‘Data,’ in The Goonies(1985). In an archived interview from his work on Indiana Jones, Quan tells the interviewer, with a smile and a nod that he feels very lucky for what he was involved with. Both characters are cheeky, but still have the sweetness trademark to Quan and his characters— along with a good bit of physical comedy.
Following those movies, he left acting for decades because of a lack of good roles for Asian actors; but Crazy Rich Asians(2018) showed him there was more for him in Hollywood.
He found his way back to Hollywood through Everything, Everywhere, All at Once and has appeared in multiple movies and series, including as Ourobouros in the second season of Loki. In the show, Ourobouros is excited to meet a hero and learn about the time traveling mind-bending experience that Loki brings.
That enthusiasm and appreciation for his place has carried since he was twelve and it’s refreshing to see in a world where you never can know what’s real and what’s just for the cameras. In a world of fakes, Ke Huy Quan will never give up his joy. Love Hurts is just the latest example of it.
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