Ke Huy Quan just pulled off the stealthiest 'White Lotus' cameo yet
Spoiler alert! The following story contains major plot details about Season 3 Episode 2 of HBO's "The White Lotus."
No one does a cameo quite like "The White Lotus."
From meme-legend Jennifer Coolidge to K-pop star Lisa, the resort-themed social satire is no stranger to big names. But the show's newest season may have outdone itself, pulling off a particularly sneaky drop-in.
Fans who watched Season 3 Episode 2 may have noticed a familiar voice: "Everything Everywhere All At Once" star Ke Huy Quan. While he is never seen on screen, Paste BN confirmed that Quan voices Kenny Nguyen, a businessman who once worked with Timothy Ratliff (Jason Isaacs) on a shady deal. Paste BN has reached out to Quan and HBO for confirmation.
The deal is now coming back to haunt them, as both the FBI and reporters at the Wall Street Journal narrow in on Ratliff's previous shadowy practices. Kenny (Quan) is calling Tim in a panic, just as Tim is in the midst of his vacation at the White Lotus resort in Thailand.
The phone conversation is so laced with expletives it becomes comical, running true to the show's specific and celebrated style of satire.
Quan, who has a distinctive voice, has discovered critical acclaim in recent years, but began his career as a child actor. Appearing in both "The Goonies" and "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom" in the mid-1980s, it would be nearly four decades before he reappeared at the top of the box office with "Everything Everywhere All at Once," winning both a Golen Globe and Oscar for his role in the film.
Whether his character − in-person or purely over the phone − will reappear has yet to be revealed.
Season 3 of "White Lotus" also features Patrick Schwarzenegger (son to Arnold), who stars as Saxon Ratliff, the eldest son of Tim and his wife Victoria (Parker Posey). Schwarzenegger has proven a breakout star of the highly anticipated third installment, telling Paste BN earlier this month that he both hates and loves his character.
"Saxon's despicable, outrageous, lacks a filter, all these things," Schwarzenegger, 31, said. "But at the same time, I wanted (viewers) to think he's funny and spoke some truths – so that you kind of rooted for him, in a weird way."
Schwarzenegger's characterization rings true about many of "White Lotus'" central characters, wealthy and highly flawed protagonists who audiences love to hate-watch.
How to watch 'White Lotus'
New episodes of Season 3 of the critically acclaimed HBO series premiere on Sundays at 9 p.m. EST/PST and stream on Max.
Contributing: Bryan Alexander