And the Oscar goes to …Ke Huy Quan!
TheEverything Everywhere All at Onceactor beat outBrendan Gleeson(The Banshees of Inisherin),Brian Tyree Henry(Causeway),Judd Hirsch(The Fabelmans),Barry Keoghan(The Banshees of Inisherin) in the Best Supporting Actor category at Sunday’sOscars 2023.
“Mom, I just won an Oscar!” he said, holding up his trophy, before reflecting on his journey, from “spending a year in a refugee camp"to becoming a child actorand, now, an Academy Award winner “on Hollywood’s biggest stage.”
“They say stories like this only happen in the movies. I cannot believe it’s happening to me,” Quan continued. “This —this— is the American dream!”
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories.
Ke Huy Quan.Kevin Winter/Getty

RELATED GALLERY:2023 Oscars: All the First-Time Acting Nominees
In a recent interview forPEOPLE’s annual Oscar portfolio, Quan raved about why his nomination atthe Oscars"means a lot” to him at this point in his career, almost four decades after he first appeared on the big screen as a child actor in 1984’sIndiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.

“I love [Temple of Doomdirector andThe Gooniesexecutive producer/story writer]Steven Spielbergso much,” said the celebrated actor. “This man changed my life when I was a little kid — gave me not one but two great movies.”
RELATED VIDEO: Oscars 2023 Nominations: Brendan Fraser, Austin Butler and Ana de Armas Among Nominees
“For me to be able to reunite with him after I think 10, 12 years now, in person at theGolden Globesand to be able to [look] him directly in his eyes and thank him for giving me my first opportunity was such an amazing and a memorable moment for me,” he said.
Reflecting on the success, Quan told PEOPLE, “We have so many Asian actors being nominated in major acting categories. I’m really thrilled about it, and it means that this past year, our stories are being told.”
“When something like this happens, it justreinforces my belief that impactful change can happen,” he added. “I’m so grateful to the Academy for recognizing all of us. Getting nominated is a big, big deal.”
“I cannot believe I’m an Oscar-nominated actor. This is unbelievable to me,” Quan said.

Riz AhmedandAllison Williamsunveiled thenominations for the 2023 Oscarson Jan. 24.
In November 2022, Bill Kramer, CEO of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, confirmed that winners in all 23 categories will berevealed live during the main show.
Last year, eight categories were cut for time and given out prior to the ceremony, with pre-recorded moments from the acceptance speeches included in the broadcast.
The Oscarsare airing live on ABC on Sunday, March 12, at 8 p.m. ET.
source: people.com