Evan C. Kim

Evan C. Kim (born February 17, 1953) is an American actor best remembered for his role as Inspector Al Quan, the partner of Harry Callahan in The Dead Pool (1988), the fifth installment of the iconic Dirty Harry franchise. Born in New Jersey to South‑Korean immigrant parents, Kim grew up confronting bullying and social isolation, experiences he later channeled into a disciplined practice of taekwondo and an early love of writing. He has described his youth as “one of those typical small, slow‑to‑grow kids,” noting that martial arts gave him physical respect while writing offered a constructive outlet for his feelings of revenge and hurt. This personal resilience translated into a versatile screen presence that spanned comedy, drama, and science‑fiction throughout the late 1970s and 1980s. Kim’s film debut came in the satirical anthology The Kentucky Fried Movie (1977), where he appeared as Loo in the “A Fistful of Yen” segment, showcasing his talent for parody and physical comedy. He followed with supporting roles such as the interpreter Cowboy in Go Tell the Spartans (1978), the erudite caveman Nook in the cult classic Caveman (1981), and the mercenary Suki in the B‑movie Megaforce (1982). On television, Kim was a regular on the short‑lived series Khan! (1975), playing the educated son of the titular detective, and he later guest‑starred on a litany of shows including Kung Fu, CHiPs, Police Story, Fantasy Island, Knight Rider, Knots Landing, Max Headroom, Matlock, and Alien Nation. His behind‑the‑scenes work includes directing an episode of Alien Nation, demonstrating his willingness to explore multiple facets of production. Throughout his career, Kim’s performances were marked by a blend of martial‑arts precision, comedic timing, and a willingness to tackle diverse genres, earning him a respected place among character actors of his generation.