Ke Huy Quan says he lost his health insurance because he couldn’t book a job after Everything Everywhere
Oscar-nominated actor said he could ‘not get a single job’
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Ke Huy Quan has revealed just how impactful Everything Everywhere All At Once has been on his career.
Since the Oscar-nominated film’s release, the Vietnamese actor has experienced a tremendous Hollywood comeback.
However, before the multiverse drama’s theatrical release in March 2022, which was delayed by Covid for two years after they wrapped filming in March 2020, Quan said nobody would hire him.
During a recent appearance on The Late Late Show with James Corden, the 51-year-old former child actor explained that after they filmed the movie, he was auditioning for several roles but could “not get a single job”.
“This is 2021, and I was so nervous. I was about to lose my health insurance,” Quan said. “So I called my agent and I said, ‘Can you please get me anything? It doesn’t matter, I just need one job to make the minimum requirement so I can qualify for health insurance the following year.’”
He reiterated that he “couldn’t get one single job” before confirming that “sure enough, 2021 came and went [and I] lost my health insurance”.
“I called my producer, who’s seen the [Everything Everywhere] – I haven’t seen a single footage at this point,” Quan continued, “and said, ‘Can you please tell me one thing? Am I good in the movie?’”
When his producer questioned why he would ask such a “stupid question”, the actor said: “Well, nobody wants to hire me.”
Quan recalled the producer telling him to “be patient” and “just wait”.
“And then of course, the movie came out in March of last year, and my life has changed.”
Everything Everywhere All At Once has earned 11 nods, including Best Picture, at the 2023 Academy Awards, making it the most nominated film of the year.
Quan is also competing for the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor, the category he won at this year’s Golden Globes, SAG Awards and Critics Choice Awards.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments