In the bustling whirlwind of Hollywood, it’s not uncommon for stars to look back fondly on their early days in film. But when a beloved character like Short Round and his wise and rugged mentor Indiana Jones collide in memory, you get something special. Ke Huy Quan, the star of Love Hurts, recently took a trip down memory lane, sharing a heartwarming story from the set of Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. Can you imagine being a young actor, caught up in intense sequences, only to find yourself in tears, craving reassurance from the legendary Harrison Ford? It’s a moment that’s both human and spectacular, revealing not just the pressures of on-set action but also the bonds that form under the starlit pressure of Hollywood. So, what does Quan reminisce about? Well, grab some popcorn and prepare to be charmed as he recounts the moment Ford crouched down, reassuring him that everything was going to be just fine—cue the feels! LEARN MORE.
The Love Hurts star reminisces about filming the intense sequences and having Ford reassure him that everything was going to be alright.
Ke Huy Quan’s first time out as a leading man is currently in theaters for a twist on the upcoming Valentine’s Day usual programming with Love Hurts, but while the newly revived Academy Award-winner makes the promotional rounds, he inevitably fields questions about a possible Goonies sequel and Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. Quan stole the hearts of 80s kids as the lovable sidekick in those movies, and Quan, now a leading man in an action film, reflects on being scared one time while filming Temple of Doom.
According to Variety, Quan would tell Entertainment Weekly about a certain scene they were about to film when the young Quan started to cry. He explains,
When we shot this sequence, I was so scared. And I cried. I remember Harrison Ford kneeling down in front of me and asking me if I was okay.”
The scene in question was part of the sequence when Indy helps Short Round escape the temple. Quan recalls, “He said, and I’ll never forget this, ‘Ke, I want you to remember, I will never hurt you.’ When he said that, oh my gosh, it just made me love him so much more. Here is Indiana Jones telling me that he’s gonna take care of me.” Ford has continued supporting his old friend after his Oscar nomination for Everything Everywhere All at Once, saying, “He’s a wonderful actor. He was when he was a little kid, and he still is. I’m glad. I’m very happy for him.” Ford had also previously called Quan’s recognition “well deserved.” He continued, “He is really terrific in his movie. And I’m so glad to see him…and what he has become. I’m so happy for him. He’s such a happy guy, too.”
Quan credits his inclusion in one of the most famous adventure franchises of all time as the reason he fell in love with action movies. He expounded, “I remember watching it for the first time at our premiere, seeing it put together with sound effects and music for the first time. I was blown away by all of it. I was only 13 then. It made me fall in love with action.”