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Cyndi Lauper, Michael Jackson and Clint Eastwood were among the celebrities who dropped by during the filming of The Goonies. Who were you most star-struck by? McScootikins
Harrison Ford! I was star-struck when Harrison Ford came to visit because I’d made Indy [Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom]. Spielberg played a big joke on him. There was a biography out of him that he really hated, so Steven went out and bought about 300 copies, so that when Harrison came to visit and walked on to set, the security guard, the gaffers, the camera equipment people, everybody was reading that biography.
I remember when we were told that Michael Jackson was going to visit. The cast and crew were so excited. We didn’t know what time he was arriving, so we were constantly looking over our shoulder. Sure enough, when he walked on to the set, everybody just stopped what they were doing – even the guy making the coffee. He was very shy. I think we made him nervous because there were so many people. Then we took those photos that you see on the internet. We were so giddy that he was there. He gave us tickets to watch him perform in Los Angeles, and gave us all a jacket, which some of us still have. Somehow I lost mine, which I’m very mad at myself for.
How do you believe your childhood in Ho Chi Minh City, and your subsequent flight from Vietnam, affected your career in film? FedUpWithEverything2
First, it gave me a global perspective. Second, it gave me this huge sense of gratitude; this appreciation that I get to do what I love. I feel so lucky to be an actor and to be able to make movies that entertain people all over the world. My first movie was Temple of Doom, which was so beloved. I followed that with The Goonies – again another iconic movie. I feel so lucky to be a part of those and to have so many fans come up to me on the street and say how growing up watching those movies had a huge impact on their life.
You were arguably typecast in the early stages of your career, as were other actors of Asian heritage. Will Hollywood ever properly embrace colour-blind casting? MoreorLesPaul
When I started my career, it was a very different time. My latest movie, Love Hurts, is a big-budget movie with an Asian lead. That alone is a testament to how much everything has changed and to Hollywood’s willingness to tell diverse stories. I’m very optimistic. When I read for Love Hurts, there was no description for my character. Open casting is something I applaud Hollywood for. Ouroboros in Loki was another incredible character I played that had no specific ethnicity, but Marvel thought I’d be good for it. So things are looking really good.
What goes through your mind when you stand up to receive an Oscar? richpelley
When my name was read out, I was so overwhelmed with emotion, my mind was a blur. I couldn’t believe it was happening. I had a dream for 40 years and when I was handed that Oscar, that dream became a reality. It was the one of the greatest feelings I’ve ever had in my life and something I wish everyone would get to experience. Not necessarily win an Oscar, but whatever your Oscar moment is, I wish everybody could feel that. It was incredible.
What does your wife make of your return to the spotlight? EveningEdition25
For years, even when I didn’t believe in myself, she said: “Trust me.” So now I think she would like to say: “I told you!” She really believed in me, so I’m glad I didn’t disappoint her. The best part is seeing how happy she is for me. She has really made this entire journey even more special.
You always looks so dapper on the red carpet. What’s your secret? hittheroadjack
I have a lot of help. My wife has great taste, as does my stylist, Chloe. When I was nominated for an Oscar, Giorgio Armani reached out and said: ‘We would love to make you a tux.’ I was like: ‘What?’ I remember going into the Armani store, getting measured, and a month later, going back to try it on. I realised: this is what a made-to-order tux looks like. I love it. I wish I could take credit, but really the credit belongs to the people who help me look good.
Did you really promise your mum that you wouldn’t swear when filming The Goonies? TopTramp
Fuck, yeah! It’s true. But not any more! I did say: “S-H-I-T,” but you’ve got to give me some credit. At least I can spell!
In retrospect, should you have contained your excitement a bit when you introduced Joe Biden [at an event]? MrSOBaldrick
Absolutely not! He was the president of the United States. I thought I was going to be cool and say the line: “Ladies and Gentlemen, here is the president of the United States.” That is one sentence that I never thought I would get to say. But by the time it got to it, I was jumping up and down with excitement. I don’t think I would’ve done it any other way.
What type of movies would you like to make more of? RedAmazona
Oh my gosh. There’s a long list of movies I want to make and film-makers I want to work with. I grew up in the 80s watching big commercial movies such as the Back to the Future trilogy and Jaws, all those incredible, fun, really cool movies that had an impact on people’s lives. I would love to be a part of more of those movies. I’d love to play a bad guy. I got a little taste of that when playing Marvin Gable [in Love Hurts]. It’s a lot of fun to be a bad guy. It takes me out of my comfort zone. How often do I get asked about Goonies 2? That is the question I’ve been asked the most over the last four decades – which is incredible. Any other of the Goonies – Sean, Josh or Jeff – will tell you the same thing, which is incredible. Aren’t I a bit old to be a Goonie? No! Goonies never say die!
