Sonny Landham & Ke Huy Quan

Last weekend I had the pleasure of meeting two people who starred in a couple of my favourite films from the 1980s - Sonny Landham and Ke Huy Quan.

I know what you're thinking. Who??

Well as anybody in their late 20s and 30s can attest - the 80s has a wealth of nostalgic classics. The cheesy rock ballad anthems, the big shoulder-pad clothing, the focus on story rather than special effects. Ahh memories. The uber-geek in me emerged a while back when I attended a Lost Boys reunion. Lets put it this way - Corey Feldman looked the same, Corey Haim did not.

So back to Landham and Quan. Sonny Landham would be most familiar to people as Billy from Predator. For those who haven't seen Predator - firstly what planet are you on - secondly he played the native-American in Arnold Schwarzenegger's band of mercenaries caught up in fighting the Predator. This was the ultimate machismo action flick - it spawned a sequel and then the Alien Versus Predator franchise.

Landham was brilliant in the role. Whilst Arnie takes most of the kudos - and rightly so - who doesn't want to scream "Get To The Choppaaaaaaaaa!" anytime you watch it - the other actors made it the total package. Carl Weathers, Bill Duke, Jesse Ventura, Richard Chaves and Sonny Landham all had distinctive traits that made them a kick-ass team.

Aside from appearing in Miami Vice and the A-Team, Landham went on to become a politician in Kentucky. And a slightly controversial one at that. He probably wouldn't be welcome in the Arab world anytime soon.

The man has a handshake that crushes every bone - but a laugh that fills a room. He clearly knows he is physically imposing yet is welcoming and friendly. He joked about the competitiveness amongst the actors whilst filming - who could lift the most weights (Arnie) and who had the biggest arms (Arnie). I found him to be a genuine guy - honest and outspoken.

Ke Huy Quan isn't a household name either. But he starred in two iconic films - The Goonies and Indiana Jones and the Temple Of Doom.

He played Harrison Ford's cheeky sidekick Short Round and perhaps more memorably - Data in the The Goonies.

I have lost count of how many times I have seen The Goonies - usually it's on each Christmas. Data was a brilliant character - with his James Bond-style gadgets. Quan himself came across as a very polite man. He spoke about the continued possibility of a Goonies sequel. Apparently the delays have been centred around Warner Brothers concerns over it making a profit. I think I speak on behalf of a generation when I say that shouldn't be a problem. Part of me hopes they don't make it - as if in some way they will mess it up - like they did with Indiana Jones.

I have been fortunate enough to meet Chunk (Jeff Cohen), Mikey (Sean Astin), Mouth (Corey Feldman) and now Data from the Goonies. Each of them were still in awe of how loved the film is - almost 25 years after its production. Quan still looks youthful - and had a hopeful look that he would get to reprise the role one more time.

Sonny Landham and Ke Huy Quan. Two men who weren't the lead actors - but two men who played key parts in 80s film classics.