Family Trips with the Meyers Brothers

Episode: KE HUY QUAN Walked the Grand Canyon's Horseshoe Bridge
Date: November 4, 2025
Hosts: Seth Meyers and Josh Meyers | Guest: Ke Huy Quan

Episode Overview

This episode of Family Trips with the Meyers Brothers features Oscar-winning actor Ke Huy Quan, known for "The Goonies," "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom," and "Everything Everywhere All at Once." The conversation explores Ke’s remarkable life journey—from escaping postwar Vietnam as a child refugee, through the immense challenges his family faced, to the joys and complexities of his large family both in America and abroad. The episode is filled with warmth, humor, and moving reflections on perseverance, gratitude, and the meaning of family across generations.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introduction and Mutual Admiration

• [09:16] Ke Huy Quan expresses excitement at being on the show and shares a memory of meeting Seth at the NY Film Critics Circle Awards, a night full of industry luminaries.
• Seth and Josh discuss the lasting impact of "The Goonies" and Ke’s second-act career resurgence.

2. Navigating Fame and Career Ups & Downs

• Ke Huy Quan:

  “For many, many years, when [Josh Brolin] goes out, all people want to talk to him about was the Goonies. And that was what it was like for me for 40 years.” ([11:29])

• Discussion on how actors hope for new opportunities so their legacy isn’t defined by just one project.

3. Family’s Harrowing Escape from Vietnam

• Ke shares the multi-stage escape story from postwar Vietnam, marked by:

  • First attempt: At age 7, he and his father are caught and jailed for three weeks ([15:11–16:21]).
  • Second attempt: Ke, his father, and several siblings jailed for three months after another failed escape ([19:24]).
  • Mother’s parallel escape with other siblings, who succeed and reach Malaysia ([18:27]).
  • Third attempt: The whole family eventually escapes on a crowded cargo boat (3,300 people) to Hong Kong ([26:04]).

• Notable quote:

  “I remember feeling like, what are we doing here? Because as a kid, all you want to do is just run around ... but that's not something you're able to do when you're behind bars.” – Ke Huy Quan ([18:54])

4. Reunion, Assimilation, and Early Life in America

• The family is ultimately reunited in Los Angeles after nearly two years apart ([28:21–29:13]):

  “I remember that first night ... My mom cooked for 11 of us. And as always, you know, there was a lot of food… our family loves to eat.” – Ke ([29:13])

• Settling in LA Chinatown, the Quan kids’ lives are contained to a one-mile radius, focused on family and community ([29:13–30:21]).
• Ke’s parents work hard, with his mom in sales and his dad—once a factory owner—working for others ([31:26]).

5. The Role of Older Siblings, Family Culture, and Community

• Older siblings help parent the younger ones while the parents work ([32:02]).
• Ke describes the surrounding Chinese-Vietnamese immigrant community as tight-knit and familiar ([32:57]).
• On cultural discipline:

  “My dad was very stern, but also very lovable ... But when we were bad, I mean, we got spanked and we got hit.” ([33:32])

6. Reflecting on Return Visits and Family Spread

• Ke has returned to Vietnam for work and family reunions ([34:46]) and shares that many cousins and relatives remained or returned.
• Most of his immediate family now lives in Houston, Texas, following his second sister’s lead ([41:55]).
• Ke tried (and failed!) to run a family restaurant in Houston, ultimately returning to LA and acting ([44:22]).

7. From Refugee to Kid Star and Its Impact

• Landing "Indiana Jones" changed everything:

  “When that movie came out and that first check came in, it made a big difference in our family. I was able to buy a new house. So that was when we finally moved out of Chinatown and then I bought our family a car and that's when we actually got to go out to other places.” – Ke ([41:08–41:45])

• Despite early success, there were long gaps between acting work, which brought its own challenges ([11:41]).

8. Building and Celebrating a Huge, Close-Knit Family

• Ke’s family gatherings in Houston now number 50–60 people;

  “...every year I go... we would just try to get together in someone's house ... Someone would get in an argument with someone else, right?” ([49:53])

• Memorable line:

  “The best part about having a big family, if you're an actor, is that you can be sure your movie will at least gross a certain amount of money.” ([51:04])

• Challenges of getting dozens of family members into premieres and special events ([51:14–52:24]).

9. Love Story: Meeting His Wife in Shanghai

• While working for Wong Kar Wai, Ke met his wife—her first time abroad ([52:27–53:09]).
• Her biggest culture shock upon moving to America was the size of his family ([53:25]).

10. Unique Experiences in Hollywood

• Touring the world with his mom for "Temple of Doom"—including a classic “mom vomits in first class” story ([38:13–39:40]).
• The transformative power of both cinematic imagination and actual travel.

11. On Voice Acting for Zootopia 2

• Ke expected voice work to be easy—found out otherwise ([56:31–58:33]):

  “To get my voice a certain way... I have to, like, clench every muscle in my body... I'm, like, sweating...” ([57:51])

• Encouragement from Patton Oswalt confirmed he was doing it right ([58:13]).

12. Travel, Vacations, and Family Philosophy

• For Ke, the ideal vacation is relaxing, but educational is a close second ([62:32]).

• He prefers minimal itineraries:

  “We keep our schedule really very chill ... it's a vacation and we just decide what we want to do the day of.” ([64:11])

• On favorite places in China: Beijing, Shanghai, and especially Hong Kong for its food and vibrancy ([64:41]).

• His favorite means of transportation: car ([65:16]).

• If he could vacation with any family: Walt Disney—to see the world through his imaginative eyes ([65:29]).

• Who to be stranded with: His wife.

  “We spent so much time together, and we still have a lot of things to say.” ([66:49])

13. The Grand Canyon Horseshoe Skywalk Experience

• Ke visited the Skywalk in his 30s soon after it opened ([68:06]):

  “I thought I was brave enough ... I didn’t even make it past five steps. I looked down, I go, holy shit, this is scary as hell. And I walk right back.” ([68:18])

• Anxiety at people teetering on the edge with no railings ([69:42]).

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On the refugee journey:

  “We were on a boat with over 3,000 people ... crammed into this cargo boat headed for Hong Kong. And when we got there, they freaked out ...” – Ke ([26:04])

• On the emotional UNHCR archives visit:

  “I found my family's name in those archives. And I remember just staring at it for a long time, just ... went back and visit some of those memories. Very emotional for me.” ([27:40])

• On family parties:

  “If you’re an actor, you can be sure your movie will at least gross a certain amount of money.” – Ke ([51:04])

• On meeting his wife:

  “She’s married into family where there was, like, 60 people ... she handled it with a lot of grace. I love her so much.” ([53:47])

• On the Grand Canyon Skywalk:

  “My knees started getting super weak, and I go back. But also, I love the Grand Canyon. It’s so beautiful. But ... why do people stand right at the very edge?” ([69:42])

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Escape attempts from Vietnam & childhood trauma: [15:06–21:36]
• Family reunification in LA: [28:21–30:21]
• Impact of acting success on family’s life: [41:08–41:45]
• Big family in Houston, gatherings & premiere ticket woes: [49:43–52:24]
• Meeting and marrying his wife: [52:27–53:47]
• Voice acting for Zootopia 2: [56:31–58:33]
• Grand Canyon Skywalk story: [68:01–70:55]

Tone and Dynamic

This episode is characterized by humility, resilience, warmth, and humor. Ke Huy Quan is earnest, thoughtful, and grateful for both his struggles and his triumphs, and keeps the conversation lively with anecdotes that dance between moving and lighthearted. Seth and Josh bring their signature brotherly banter, genuine curiosity, and gentle wit, creating a warm, inviting dynamic where even difficult subjects are explored with kindness and empathy.

Summary

A must-listen episode for anyone who enjoys family stories, tales of overcoming adversity, and honest, joyous reflections on the immigrant experience. Ke Huy Quan’s remarkable journey is both unique and universal—rooted in love, memory, and the enduring bonds of family.

End of Summary

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