Indiana Jones & the Temple of Doom child star who played Short Round looks unrecognisable 38 years on from film
Just over 32 years since the release of the Steven Spielberg classic we take a look at what happened to Indy's sidekick
IF you grew up in the 80s you will probably remember Short Round as the trusty sidekick in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, but what happened to him after that?
The role was played by actor Jonathan Ke Quan, now 51, and he also starred as Data in another Steven Spielberg classic, The Goonies.
Jonathan won over many people’s hearts with heartwarming lines like “Indy, I love you… Wake up, Indy! You’re my best friend! Wake up, Indy!” and not forgetting his sharp wit.
But in 1995, just nine years after Indian Jones came out, Jonathan decided to make a move from the big screen to pursue a solo singing career in Australia before giving up fame altogether.
He told People.com: “It was tough, I was waiting for the phone to ring, and it rarely did.”
After attending the USC’s School of Cinematic Arts and the University of Manchester, Jonathan decided to work in martial arts, after learning Taekwondo as a kid.
And it turns out he is actually quite the expert, as he now works as a behind-the-scenes stunt co-coordinator for Hollywood blockbusters like X-men.
He’s also worked with the renowned Hong Kong fight choreographer Corey Yuen in Jet Li’s famous film The One.
Speaking about his decision to move back in front of the camera, Jonathan said he was inspired by the success of 2018’s Crazy Rich Asians
He said: “I was happy working behind the camera but I had serious FOMO. I wanted to be up there with my fellow Asian actors!”
Jonathan won the first role he auditioned for, in the critically acclaimed fantasy Everything Everywhere All at Once opposite Michelle Yeoh, and sees him play three versions of one character.
He said: “When I read the script I thought it was written for me because they are me. I understood every single one of them.
“I don’t think I could have played Waymond had you given me the role 10, 15 years ago.
“Looking back upon my life, all the highs and lows, I reached deep within me to pour my entire life into these three different characters.”
