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New memoir · September 15, 2026Never Say Die by Ke Huy Quan: What the Memoir Covers
Never Say Die is Ke Huy Quan’s first memoir. It follows his life from his family’s escape from Communist Vietnam to a childhood in Los Angeles’s Chinatown, his sudden fame as a child actor in the 1980s, the long years when acting roles dried up, and his comeback at 49.
- Book: Never Say Die: A Memoir
- Author: Ke Huy Quan
- Published: September 15, 2026, Grand Central Publishing
- Themes: persistence, immigration, identity and second chances
What is Never Say Die?
Never Say Die is Ke Huy Quan’s first memoir. It follows his life from his family’s escape from Communist Vietnam to a childhood in Los Angeles’s Chinatown, his sudden fame as a child actor in the 1980s, the long years when acting roles dried up, and his comeback at 49.
About Ke Huy Quan
Ke Huy Quan is the Academy Award winning actor who played Short Round in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom and Data in The Goonies, then returned to acting decades later in Everything Everywhere All at Once, which won him the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor.
What the book covers
- His family’s escape from Vietnam and resettlement in Los Angeles
- Being cast as a child in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom and The Goonies
- The years when Hollywood stopped casting him, and his move behind the camera
- Working on films for directors including Wong Kar Wai
- His return to acting in Everything Everywhere All at Once and the Academy Award that followed
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Find my memoir writerWho it’s for
Readers who followed his Oscar comeback, fans of 1980s adventure films, and anyone interested in immigrant family stories.
What it shows about writing a memoir
Quan’s book is a reminder that a memoir does not have to be about fame. The heart of it is a family’s escape and a long stretch of ordinary, uncertain years. If you are thinking about your own book, our guides on memoir and life story writing explain how the process works, and our memoir ghostwriter guide introduces the writers behind well-known life stories.
Where to buy Never Say Die
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Get the free interview kitFrequently asked questions
What is Never Say Die about?
Never Say Die is Ke Huy Quan’s first memoir. It follows his life from his family’s escape from Communist Vietnam to a childhood in Los Angeles’s Chinatown, his sudden fame as a child actor in the 1980s, the long years when acting roles dried up, and his comeback at 49.
When was Never Say Die released?
Never Say Die: A Memoir by Ke Huy Quan was published by Grand Central Publishing on September 15, 2026.
Who is Ke Huy Quan?
Ke Huy Quan is the Academy Award winning actor who played Short Round in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom and Data in The Goonies, then returned to acting decades later in Everything Everywhere All at Once, which won him the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor.
Where can I buy Never Say Die?
Never Say Die is available in hardcover, ebook and audiobook from major retailers including Bookshop.org, Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Audible, and from local bookstores.
Can I write a memoir even if I’m not famous?
Yes. Most memoirs are written by people who are not public figures, often for family or a small readership. Many people work with a memoir ghostwriter who interviews them and writes the book in their voice. Our Writer Match Quiz can help you find the right kind of writer.
This page describes the book using information from the publisher and press coverage. It is not a review, and My Book Written is not affiliated with the author or publisher.
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