Ke Huy Quan, now an Oscar-winning actor, has shared a little-known story from his childhood involving Steven Spielberg and George Lucas. In an excerpt from his memoir, Never Say Die, published in Entertainment Weekly, Quan reveals that after filming Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom at age 12, he received a surprise check from Lucasfilm worth nearly $100,000. He was already paid his acting fee, but Spielberg and Lucas ensured he received a share of the film's profits, which was highly unusual—especially for a child actor on his first project.
The movie went on to earn over $300 million worldwide. At the time, profit participation was almost unheard of for actors who weren't top-tier stars, making the gesture even more exceptional. Quan recalls walking into his kitchen one day to find his parents holding the envelope with his name on it, stunned by the amount inside. He writes that the sum was "life-changing" for his family. The revelation highlights a rare act of generosity from two of Hollywood's most influential filmmakers toward a young newcomer with no prior credits.
A child actor receiving a profit share from a blockbuster was virtually unheard of in the 1980s, yet Spielberg and Lucas made it happen for Ke Huy Quan. That decision had a direct, lasting impact on his family's financial well-being. It also sets a benchmark for how young contributors can be valued beyond standard contracts.
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