Ke Huy Quan Reveals Famous Actor's 'Stupid Face' Insult Before Becoming First Asian to Win SAG Category

Ke Huy Quan has revealed an uncomfortable encounter with a 'well-known actor' who mocked his playful selfie expression and told him he was 'not going to win' at the 2023 Screen Actors Guild Awards, shortly before Quan made history at the ceremony.

The Everything Everywhere All at Once star recounts the exchange in his memoir, Never Say Die, released on 15 September. Quan has deliberately kept the actor's identity secret, focusing instead on how he refused to let the remark derail one of the biggest nights of his Hollywood comeback.

Famous Actor Mocked Ke Huy Quan's 'Stupid Face'

Quan recalled spotting an actor he had admired for years while attending the SAG Awards on 26 February 2023.

Quan asked the unnamed star to pose for a selfie and made one of the playful expressions he had frequently used in photographs throughout awards season.

According to Quan's account, the actor reacted sharply, asking why he had made 'that stupid face'. Quan said he laughed, surprised by the response, before the actor added: 'You're not going to win tonight with that stupid face.'

Quan did not confront the actor and has declined to reveal the person's identity. He later explained that he had debated whether to include the encounter in his memoir because he knew readers would want to know who made the remark.

Ke Huy Quan Made SAG Awards History That Night

The prediction proved wrong within hours.

Quan won Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role for his portrayal of Waymond Wang in Everything Everywhere All at Once, becoming the first Asian actor to win the SAG category.

His fellow nominees were Paul Dano for The Fabelmans, Brendan Gleeson and Barry Keoghan for The Banshees of Inisherin, and Eddie Redmayne for The Good Nurse.

The victory became another major milestone in Quan's return to acting after decades away from Hollywood's spotlight.

Historic SAG Speech Focused on Asian Representation

During his emotional acceptance speech, Quan highlighted the significance of his SAG Award for Asian representation in Hollywood.

'This moment no longer belongs to just me; it also belongs to everyone who has asked for change,' he told the audience.

His comeback had been decades in the making. Quan became a child star playing Short Round in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom before appearing as Data in The Goonies.

Acting opportunities later became scarce, prompting Quan to step away from performing and work behind the camera. He eventually returned with Everything Everywhere All at Once, which transformed his career again.

'Stupid Face' Remark Came Before Oscar Triumph

Quan's SAG victory was only part of his extraordinary 2023 awards season.

He also won the Golden Globe and Critics Choice Award before taking home the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for Everything Everywhere All at Once.

The film itself dominated the awards season, with co-stars Michelle Yeoh and Jamie Lee Curtis also collecting major acting honours.

Quan has since continued his Hollywood comeback with roles in projects including Loki, American Born Chinese and Love Hurts.

The unnamed actor's prediction, meanwhile, received an answer almost immediately. Quan left the SAG Awards that same night holding the trophy he had been told he would not win.