Jonathan Ke Quan biography, net worth, tv shows, movies • biography

Early Life and Immigration

Jonathan Ke Quan, also known as Jonathan Ke Huy Quan, was born on August 20, 1971, in Saigon, South Vietnam (now Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam). Following the fall of Saigon in 1975, Quan and his family fled the country and immigrated to the United States as political refugees. He grew up in California with his older brother and attended Alhambra High School.

Education and Language Proficiency

Quan pursued higher education at the University of Southern California, where he graduated from the School of Cinematic Arts. In addition to English, he is fluent in Vietnamese, Cantonese, and Mandarin, reflecting his multicultural background and versatile communication skills.

Breakthrough Roles: ‘Indiana Jones’ and ‘The Goonies’

Quan rose to fame as a child actor in the 1980s. At just 12 years old, he played the memorable role of Short Round in Steven Spielberg’s 1984 film Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. His performance won critical acclaim, and the character remains one of the series' most beloved sidekicks.

The following year, Quan starred as Richard “Data” Wang in the 1985 adventure film The Goonies, directed by Richard Donner. His role as the inventive and resourceful Data further solidified his status as a rising young talent in Hollywood.

Television Appearances and Later Acting Work

In 1986, Quan played the character Sam on the CBS family sitcom Together We Stand, for which he received the Young Artist Award. He also appeared in other television projects, including the sitcom Head of the Class. While he acted in a Japanese film during this time, details about the project remain limited.