Never Say Die

by Ke Huy Quan

In this stunning and compulsively readable memoir, the Oscar-winning star of Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, The Goonies, and Everything Everywhere All at Once, Ke Huy Quan, tells the story of his journey from Vietnamese refugee to 80s child star to the most inspiring comeback in Hollywood history.

Ke Huy Quan’s Hollywood adventure began when he was twelve years old, a mere five years after his family escaped Communist Northern Vietnam and settled down to a relatively peaceful life in L.A.’s Chinatown. After attending an open call audition on a whim, he was unexpectedly swept up in the wild world of filmmaking: learning to swim from Harrison Ford on the set of Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, receiving trucks full of toys from Steven Spielberg and George Lucas for his birthday, meeting Princess Leia and Luke Skywalker, and making lifelong friends on the set of The Goonies.

A star of two of the most beloved movies of the ‘80s, there appeared to be no limit to Ke’s rise. But just a few years later, the roles had dried up and it seemed like Hollywood no longer had a place for him. He eventually left acting to work odd jobs behind the scenes for directors like Wong Kar Wai. His confidence was badly shaken, but his love of performing never abated. It wasn’t until decades later, when he was 49 years old, that he stepped back in front of the camera to star in a strange little indie film called Everything Everywhere All at Once, which surprised everyone with its incredible box-office and awards season success. To call Ke’s Oscar-winning performance a triumphant return would be an understatement.

In this moving, inspirational memoir, Ke paints a vivid self-portrait, telling both heart-wrenching and funny stories of his early rise, slow fall from the spotlight, the resilience that kept him going through his darkest times, and his eventual resurrection on one of the biggest stages in Hollywood. Never Say Die is the story of Ke’s extraordinary life, a love letter to the movies and people that shaped him, and a powerful testament to never giving up on your dreams.

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction, Audiobook, Biography, Biography Memoir, Autobiography, Adult

242 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 15, 2026

About the author

Ke Huy Quan is an Oscar-winning actor who immigrated to the United States as a child and grew up in Los Angeles. Discovered at an open casting call with no acting experience, he was cast at age 12 as Short Round in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, followed by his role as Data in the beloved adventure classic, Goonies.

As opportunities became limited, he stepped away from acting to study at USC’s School of Cinematic Arts, graduating in 1999, and later worked behind the scenes as an action choreographer and assistant director. After more than two decades away from acting, he returned to the screen in Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert’s Academy Award–winning Everything Everywhere All At Once, earning widespread acclaim along with the Academy Award, Golden Globe, and SAG Award for Best Supporting Actor.

He has since appeared in Season 2 of the Disney+ series Loki, starred in Universal’s Love Hurts, and voiced Gary De’ Snake in Disney's animated film Zootopia 2. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Echo.

source: Amazon

Reviews

[Thomas · Rating 3.75 out of 5]

Wholesome and touching memoir about Ke Huy Quan’s life. Appreciated his honesty about the challenges he’s faced, ranging from his and his family’s initial harrowing refugee experience, to his career slumps and anxieties, to how another celebrity criticized his face at an awards show (wtf). It was heartwarming in a realistic way to read about how he found success as an actor later on in life and how he persevered even when things were hard. I think fans of Everything Everywhere All At Once may especially appreciate this memoir (I haven’t watched it only because I’m averse to watching blood/gore on screens, though I have read the plot in full!) Even though the writing in this book didn’t wow me, it got the job done and I was still moved by Quan’s story. Yay for Asians prospering, both in Hollywood and elsewhere!

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finished with tears in my eyes.
Immediately after finishing, I rewatched Ke Huy Quan’s Golden Globe and Oscar speeches.

“I remember saying, “For so many years, I was afraid I had nothing more to offer.”

What a storied life of someone who was once forgotten in the industry , but never from our hearts, playing pivotal roles in Indiana Jones and The Goonies.

While I wished there were more descriptions - Quan watched a private showing at Michael Jackson’s house (what really happened in that house?), what famous actor (and how dare he) try to minimize him at SAG awards? Regardless, I enjoyed this quick memoir of a fabled Chinese actor who escaped on a refugee boat during the fall of Saigon.

Being a refugee is by far the most important part of this story, as he mentions in the first line of his memoir:

“you have to understand that no one puts those children in a boat unless the water is safer than the land”

Quan proves, we all have a history, and there are a certain type of people that refuse to believe in basic humanity.

“For years I wondered how things would be if I had a different beginning. One without that label—refugee. The shame it carried. At times, I wished I could erase it entirely. But I understood what that would mean. To erase that part of my story would be to erase my parents’ sacrifices—the very things that gave me a chance at life.”

I would have loved some pictures of his life at the end, but I think Quan still wants to preserve what life he has lived in many ways. Regardless, I’m happy I read this memoir.
Thank you Grand Central for the advanced copy!

[Kristen]

I don’t rate memoir because who am I to rate a real human beings’ life story?
For all tense and purposes, this was a solid 5 star. I loved Ke Huy Quan in the Goonies and always wondered where he fell off to. When Everything Everywhere All At Once came out my heart exploded in happiness for his comeback.
My dad recently passed of similar causes to his fathers’, that really shattered my heart in a healing way.

So happy you are here Ke. I’m here for it 💛

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prior to reading Never Say Die, I don’t think I’ve ever had tears fall all the way through a book before. Seriously, every time I picked it up, I was fighting tears. Not because it’s so sad the entire time, but it just made me feel so much. There are so many movies he’s in that I just connected with. Everything everywhere all at once is one of my favorite movies of all time.
I’m so grateful to have received an early copy of Ke Huy Quan’s memoir. His story is emotional impactful, and I think really important. Even after all he’s been through He is still such a bright light.

If sunshine was a person, it would be Ke.

[Mai T.]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

2026 Goodreads Choice Awards Nominees | Readers' Favorite Memoir | Opening Round Nominees

ANHPI TBR

Memoir March TBR

Non-fiction November TBR

[Carm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fucking Short Round. This was available at my library and I thought a memoir would be a nice palate cleanser. I cried THE WHOLE TIME. 😅

[Patrick Casebeer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Net Galley and Grand Central Publishing for this ARC.

I wanted to read this book partly because of nostalgia, since I remember watching him in two of the greatest movies of my childhood. What I didn’t expect was to read such an honest, open story about struggle and self doubt and resilience.

It read like a roller coaster, ups and downs, grief and happiness. I felt drawn in, I wanted to read how it ended even though I knew. I wanted to experience it through his side of the story and that’s what I got. I got to understand that Oscar win from a different angle and with more meaning after learning about his life.

“Keep your dreams alive”, I’m happy he did.

[Clare Mulroy · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a beautiful, moving memoir. Actually in tears at the end of this.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I ugly cried through 90% of this.

[Tram · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Your own story holds discovery worth unearthing, too.”

We got to see Ke Huy Quan speak on his book tour, and what a wonderful memoir he wrote. He is so talented, sweet, enthusiastic about life, and full of hope and gratitude. That kind of optimism feels so rare and remarkable to me.

Some standout moments from his memoir:
-A few years after the Fall of Saigon, he was 8 when his mom and most of his siblings escaped to Malaysia while he and his dad remained in Vietnam. He and his dad were jailed twice while trying to escape before eventually making it to Hong Kong by boat.
- He was in an ESL class when his brother saw an audition opportunity for a Chinese boy for an action movie. At the audition, Ke stepped in to coach his brother and best friend to this day, David, and ended up getting the role himself.
- On his 15th birthday, he received a truckload of toys from George Lucas in the morning and another truckload from Steven Spielberg that afternoon.
- He talks about feeling alienated from his peers once he went back to school as a teen and wasn’t receiving roles anymore. In his 20s at Hollywood parties, he would feel the same alienation and struggle to explain his lack of available roles, leading to some lost years and behind the scenes work.
- He talks about having FOMO after watching Crazy Rich Asians. The movie inspired him to return to acting, and just **two weeks** after getting representation, an agent reached out about auditioning for Everything Everywhere All at Once and the role of Waymond Wang.
-I also loved hearing about his love and gratitude for his wife Echo.
-Also, this story made me want to make an egg McMuffin-tomato beef mega sandwich.

This was such a beautiful story about second chances, believing in yourself, and being grateful for the people in your life who support you when you don’t believe in yourself. I super recommend this memoir if you’re also looking for more hope and light.

[Trish · Rating 5 out of 5]

This memoir is an early Christmas present…it is such a delight, both a revelation and a delish honest memoir that I read it in a day…even with dragging it out so I could enjoy it longer. I was TOTALLY and unabashedly influenced by Ocean Voung’s laudatory blurb, even when blurbs by famous people should no longer influence me. I bought it on the day it came out and I stand by my gratefulness for his great honesty and his contribution to Asians on film in America.

From refugee boat boy to Oscar winner. It is a story as improbable as it is inspiring. It wasn’t ALL luck.

[Davi Kladakis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this memoir. I was crying I was smiling I need to buy all of his movies. An absolute must read.

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you, NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing, for an e-arc of this book. I don't have enough good things to say about Ke's memoir. I ran out of things to say while finishing the epilogue. In the past, I've read memoirs from social media influencers, celebrities, disability activists, writers, and other creatives—none of those books top Ke's.

What makes "Never Say Die" so unique is the fact that it's written like a biopic. He begins with his childhood and youth years; every chapter is dated and has a location. It feels like you are reading a script of his biopic. You can imagine every scene, emotion, and feeling he had in your head. He wrote each of the chapters in a way that makes them less like sob stories and more like chapters or arcs of his story. Like the hero's journey.

As an asian american reader who has followed his work for a long time, I loved how he touched on family, traditions, culture, and food. Part of an Asian's story is always strict, hardworking, and always at their best. Ke writes about those aspects in ways that young adults won't understand til they are much older. He made every chapter a lesson to learn from or a bridge to cross.

I also enjoyed how he discussed the ups and downs (aka the rejection in the industry. As a fellow creative, I know how hard it is, especially as an Asian creative, to get anywhere. He made his story one worth living for. Yeah, it was tough and really sad, but many good things came out of those tragedies, and I loved that he touched on those moments without feeling too influential or social media influencery.

To conclude this review, I think the book was the perfect length. Most memoirs are under 300 pages. Concise and to the point.

[Holland Villalobos · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m emotional 😭 good job Ke <3

[Justin Decloux]

Listened to the audiobook version read by Ke Huy Quan.

You'd have to be made of stone not to be moved by Ke Huy Quan's story, which begins with spending almost half a year in prison with his dad for trying to escape Vietnam, arriving in Hong Kong as one of the Boat People, finally making it to LA, and stumbling into as big an acting career as a child actor can get, only to watch it fizzle as quickly as it appeared... and figuring out what you do from there.

I wanted more dirt on shooting BREATHING FIRE, or the years he spent as a stunt coordinator on films with Cory Yuen, but he does touch on it a little, and I was surprised to learn he worked for Wong Kar Wai for a year.

The man won an Oscar in his first role in decades! So of course it's going to end on a heart-rending high.

[Brett Plaxton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one I wanted to read as soon as I heard about it. I was so excited when Ke Huy Quan announced his return to acting in Everything Everywhere All At Once. Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom was my first Indiana Jones movie and I always got a kick out of Short Round. It was really cool to read about how he got that role and how he was loved by everyone on set. Also loved reading about his friendship with his Goonies costars, particularly how Jeff Cohen helped with his return to acting. And I salute former child actors telling their story about trying to transition to more mature roles and how it doesn’t always work in their favour. Kudos to Ke for being so vulnerable in this book.

And I mean, how awesome was it to see Ke win his Oscar?

Dude has lived a life

[Skylar · Rating 5 out of 5]

EEAAO is one of the best movies ever made, and I loved reading about it through Ke's perspective. Teared up at multiple points. HIGHLY recommend the audiobook since he narrates it himself.

[Tony Farinella · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

It is literally impossible to not like Ke Huy Quan, especially after reading his memoir. This book is beautifully written, straight from the heart, and endlessly moving. I couldn’t put it down, and the sign of a truly great memoir is when you respect and admire the person even more after reading the book. As a young refugee, he was separated from his family and even spent time in prison. Nothing came easy for him, and his humility, kindness, and warmth shine through on each and every page. He is not afraid to be vulnerable, introspective, reflective, and even admit his own anxieties and fears. He’s the kind of person that you want to give a big hug.

After reuniting with his family in California, he was discovered on a casting call for Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. He wasn’t interested in acting, as he actually was there to support his brother who was trying out for the part, but he caught the attention of Steven Spielberg, who put him in the film at 12 years old. His stories from working on Indiana Jones and interacting with Steven Spielberg and Harrison Ford reveal their true character and how they looked out for him. The same can be said for George Lucas. He also discusses working on the ’80s hit, The Goonies, and the fun he had on set working with actors his own age.

Despite early success in acting, he struggled to shift into adult roles, prompting a return to high school and a more ordinary life. Eventually, he did choreography on some films, but he still never lost the acting bug. He just didn’t know if Hollywood wanted him anymore or if he had anything else to offer for Hollywood. All of that changed, of course, with the film Everything Everywhere All At Once, where he won an Oscar. His book is called Never Say Die, and that is appropriate for his career and his approach to life. Because of his never-say-die attitude, he had a major comeback in him when he least expected it. In many ways, he never really went away. Hollywood just wasn’t ready for him.

Ke Huy Quan is an exceptionally gifted writer who conveys his thoughts with precision and elegance. Reading his story moved me deeply, especially the care he applied to every page. His relationship with his wife Echo felt profound—the sort of bond often reserved for the movies—yet she is truly singular. Ultimately, Ke Huy Quan has preserved his dignity, honor, and affection not only for acting but for the people he collaborates with. His upbeat nature feels genuine rather than forced, which explains why others are drawn to him; he emits positive energy and authenticity. I nearly awarded the book 5 stars, but I wished for more detail on other projects like Encino Man, Loki, Tales from the Crypt, and American Born Chinese.

As it stands, you will need a sandblaster to remove the smile from your face after reading this heartwarming, inspiring, and one-of-a-kind memoir from an individual who lives his life in a way we can all learn from. This is a terrific book.

[Janae Schiele · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t normally rate memoirs because I think it’s weird to rate someone’s life story, but this was SO GOOD I had to make an exception.

[Margo Sidline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brb, I have a lot of movies to rewatch

It is impossible not to adore this man! What an incredible story that is so uplifting and joyful. And what a deserving person for such a success story. Male expander for real!

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite book of the year! I’ve loved Ke Huy Quan since I first saw him in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom and The Goonies, and then was so excited to see him many years later in Everything Everywhere All at Once (in my top ten favorite movies of all time). His story is incredible. I highly recommend the audiobook, as Ke reads it himself.

[Brice Montgomery · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley & Grand Central Publishing for the ARC!

Ke Huy Quan’s Never Say Die is a joyful memoir about how it actually feels to live a feel-good story.

When Everything Everywhere All At Once threw Ke Huy Quan back into the public eye after decades away, his childlike enthusiasm felt transformative. With unassuming earnestness, he reframed the awards circuit as a site for grace instead of platitudes. Each time he won, it felt like everybody did, but there’s no denying that the restrictive shape of acceptance speeches painted a Hollywood veneer over a deeper narrative.

As such, I was eager to see what Never Say Die might add to Quan’s public-facing persona. After finishing this brisk little memoir, I can say that there’s very little new information, but thankfully, that seems to be the point. This is the story of a refugee who wanted to find a home as much as it’s a celebration of all the people who helped him build one. The book is notable in its thematic simplicity, and Quan’s gratitude sweeps complexity away as contrivance.

Lest that sound like a critique, it’s more that Quan is just too honest for convoluted interiority. He writes extensively about loneliness, and it resonates precisely because he never overworks it—he refuses to make it dramatically fulfilling, instead allowing readers to sit with the understanding that it just really hurt. It was painful to watch his peers have successful careers while his atrophied. It was humiliating to go back to high school when he couldn’t find work. For the author, however, pain is not the point. He’s happy to be where he is, and he would rather honor his family than wallow in the past or coast on nostalgia. That alone makes Never Say Die feel really special. For example, when he spends pages championing Echo, his wife, it’s with the understanding that any difficulty they’ve faced pales in comparison to the privilege of spending a life together.

For the film buffs who just want to know more behind-the-scenes info about Temple of Doom, The Goonies, or EEAAO, it’s hard to say if this book has what you’re looking for. Quan shares memories for the impression they left on him—what they mean is more important than what happened—so we get snapshots of compassion from Steven Spielberg, Harrison Ford, and The Daniels, but the day-to-day details seem almost irrelevant. The feelings are everything.

And by the end of Never Say Die, I think most readers will be convinced that feelings are everything. Ke Huy Quan articulates the importance of feeling community in a way that few authors do—by defining his life through the contrast between loneliness and homecoming. It is good to be alive and loved, and Ke Huy Quan wants readers to recognize the profundity of such a simple truth.

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I heard that Ke Huy Quan was releasing a memoir, it instantly became one of my most anticipated releases for 2026. Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom is one of my all time favorite movies, and that is due in large part to Ke Huy Quan's role as Short Round in the movie.

I love the relationship between Short Round and Indy. Like this:



Anyway, all that to say that I couldn't wait to read a book about his career. I was most interested in the segments where he talked about Indiana Jones, but his career as a whole was very interesting to read about.

The Indiana Jones sections were great. I loved learning that one of my favorite scenes of the entire movie was ad-libbed AND was also the scene that Spielberg used to test the chemistry between Quan and Harrison Ford. Quan's description of the poker scene was hilarious and I loved it. It made me want to watch the movie again.






I've never seen The Goonies or Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close but it was still interesting to read about his role in those movies as well. I really admired Quan's persistence, including his fairly long break from acting, and then to come back onto the scene and win an Academy Award! Very inspiring. I also like learning more about his family and culture as well. I didn't know much about him at all to begin with, so I found learning about his past and everything he overcame to come to America. Some celebrity memoirs come off as braggy or have a superior sounding tone, but I found Quan's to read very humbly. I got the impression he is truly grateful for each and every opportunity he received.

My only complaint (and it’s a minor one) is that I wish the memoir had included some pictures at the end. I would have loved to see those! The memoir was still fantastic without them but it still would have been fun to get some photos as well.

I found the memoir to be well-written, charming and insightful. I really enjoyed it!




Thank you Grand Central Publishing for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[Vic · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

Ke Huy Quan wrote a captivating memoir about his journey from refugee to an actor in some of the most beloved films. I was already aware of how he started in Hollywood, but I did not know just how much he and his family endured trying to get to North America. By the first chapter, I was hooked, horrified, yet thoroughly engaged.
Of course, once he got into his first acting role, I was especially drawn into how jarring it must have been for him as a child to go from being an immigrant in an unfamiliar country to walking red carpets. Much of his career happened by chance, coincidental timing that could've changed the direction of his life had he not been in the right place at the right time.
Reading about what happened to him before his career resurgence was devastating, as Hollywood had not yet evolved to have more diverse stories and voices. The timing of when he decided to return couldn't have been more perfect, and I wish him all the success in the world. I understand why even now, he still has doubt creep in about his place in Hollywood, but his performance in Everything Everywhere All At Once has more than proven that he belongs in the business and has more to give.
The book was only 240 pages, so I wouldn't have minded if it was longer. His way of storytelling and reflection was so well articulated that he could've gone even deeper into some of his experiences. I recall him mentioning in several interviews that Jeff Cohen, his fellow Goonies brother and entertainment lawyer, helped him with his contracts for EEAAO, but it wasn't brought up in the book.

[Elena L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

NEVER SAY DIE is the memoir of Ke Huy Quan, from being a refugee fleeing Vietnam to 80s child star to Oscar-winning actor.

I was fully immersed in Quan's candid tone that delivers his journey of trauma, assimilation, self-discovery and American dream. From the opportunities that fit like a glove and what seems like utter success, it would be easy to just see and feel glamour, instead, Quan's words and experiences in the Hollywood industry are humble and grounded as he was slowly molded by disappointments, failures and waiting.

This book allows insights into the movie industry and beyond that, Quan also exposes the flaws and complexity of family, the type of support in the right time that feeds his curious heart/dreams and keeps us warm, the kindness and generosity that we don't see coming but give us hope.

"My journey, as difficult as it was, shaped who I am today."

From boat kid to well-known star, this memoir is nothing but inspiring. It made me proud to be Asian and I teared up in the last pages.

[ I received a complimentary copy from the publisher - Grand Central Publishing . All opinions are my own ]

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will accept zero criticism or negative comments about Ke Huy Quan. What a remarkable, joyful, hardworking human. He deserves every bit of accolades that he's accumulated especially over the last few years.

The amount of tears I shed watching his Oscars acceptance speech only rival the amount of tears I shed reading about his reunion with Harrison Ford and about him talking about his wife.

I just adored this memoir, you could feel his gratefulness and his emotion in his words. Even after everything, he's still the same little boy who escaped Vietnam. Still incredibly grateful and humble and unbelieving about everything that he's done. There's not many people who fit this mold.

I loved so much hearing about his time as a child escaping Vietnam, being discovered, his time on the movie set. I loved hearing about his family and his parents. I think this is a must-read and a must-listen for anyone who doesn't believe that refugees bring something incredible to the United States. A must-read surely for any Asian American.

[Abby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Never Say Die. Ke Huy Quan is such a great storyteller, and his writing is so vivid and descriptive that I really felt like I was there with him throughout so much of his story. There were even moments while I was reading when I could practically hear the words in his voice.

He has accomplished so much, but what I loved most was how inspiring his story is. He’s a wonderful role model and such a great example of why you should never give up on yourself or the things you want, even when life takes you in a completely different direction.

I also really enjoyed all of the snapshots at the end of the book. They were such a nice way to look back on the people, places, and moments he shared throughout his story and made the whole book feel even more personal.

Five stars. I really enjoyed this one.

[K. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Content warnings: refugee experiences, imprisonment of a child, death, war, racism, hospitalisation of a parent, death of a parent, grief, vomit, xenophobia

As much as this was a painful read at times, examining Quan's childhood escaping Vietnam as a refugee and his later experiences of an almost total lack of roles for Asian actors in Hollywood, it was also an absolutely heartwarming read full of nostalgia and whimsy and joy.

Quan's voice shines throughout and I teared up more than once. There's every possibility that I'm going to be spending the weekend doing a rewatch of Temple of Doom, Goonies and Everything Everywhere All At Once. For obvious reasons.

[Eric McAllen · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s rare for me to leave a written review. I wanted to give myself some time to process this before writing it. I loved this book. I could not stop reading it. It is written beautifully, it is emotional, and extremely personal. There is so much love and care written here and I highly recommend anyone to read this

[Read By Kyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This man is a fucking gem.

To all of you reading out there reading this, please keep your dreams alive.