Actor Ke Huy Quan, known for his roles in "Indiana Jones" and "The Goonies," reflects on his journey from being a refugee in America to achieving an Oscar-winning comeback. In a recent episode of the PBS News podcast "Settle In," host Amna Nawaz interviewed Quan about his debut memoir, "Never Say Die," which details his family's attempts to escape post-war Vietnam.
Quan shared that his parents, who had nine children, decided to separate the family to increase their chances of escape. His mother took three of his siblings, including his best friend, David, on a boat to Malaysia, where they successfully reached safety on their first attempt. This separation lasted over a year and a half.
During the interview, Quan expressed the difficulty of his parents' decision to separate the family and noted that they had never discussed this traumatic experience. He referenced a quote from poet Warsan Shire, stating, "No one ever puts their kids on a boat unless the water is safer than land," highlighting the gravity of his parents' situation.
Quan also mentioned that he spoke with his older siblings before writing his memoir to ensure the accuracy of their shared memories. He acknowledged that while he was shielded from much of the trauma at the age of seven, his siblings experienced it more intensely. He expressed gratitude for the conversations, as they provided him with deeper insights into his family's past and the challenges they faced.
Listeners can access the full conversation and more episodes of "Settle In" on YouTube or through podcast platforms. Amna Nawaz serves as co-anchor and co-managing editor of PBS News Hour, while Layla Quran is a general assignment producer for the program. Frank Carlson is the Senior Coordinating Producer for America at a Crossroads.