Who is the kid at Tony Stark's funeral?

The kid at Tony Stark's funeral in Avengers: Endgame (2019) is Harley Keener, portrayed by actor Ty Simpkins. Harley is a character who first appeared in Iron Man 3 (2013).

Who is Harley Keener?

• First Appearance: Harley Keener is introduced in Iron Man 3, where he helps Tony Stark after his suit is damaged and he is stranded in a small town. Harley is a young genius who proves to be resourceful and helpful, even saving Tony when the villainous Aldrich Killian and his organization AIM are trying to take down Stark.

• Connection to Tony Stark: In Iron Man 3, Tony bonds with Harley over their shared interest in science and technology. Harley even helps Tony with his various tech gadgets and provides him with support during a difficult time in his life. After the events of the film, Tony and Harley remain in touch, though their relationship is not explored in great depth in later films.

Harley's Role in Tony Stark's Funeral:

• At the Funeral: In Avengers: Endgame, during Tony Stark's funeral, Harley is seen as one of the attendees, standing alongside other significant figures such as Pepper Potts, Happy Hogan, Captain America, and the Avengers team. He is shown to be standing by himself, slightly apart from the group of Avengers, but still present to honor Tony Stark.
• Why He's There: Harley's presence at the funeral serves as a tribute to the bond between Tony and this young boy. While the character is not heavily featured in the MCU beyond Iron Man 3, his attendance at the funeral signifies that Tony’s impact on his life was profound. It also serves as a subtle reminder of how Tony Stark mentored and inspired the younger generation.

Significance of Harley's Appearance:

Harley's inclusion at the funeral was a nice Easter egg for fans who remembered his role in Iron Man 3. It shows that Tony Stark's influence reached beyond the primary Avengers and that even people like Harley, who only had a brief but meaningful connection to Tony, were affected by his legacy.

Some fans speculated that Harley might play a role in the future of the MCU, possibly as a successor to Tony Stark’s technological genius, though that has not been confirmed.

Fun Fact:

• In the Iron Man 3 commentary, Shane Black (director) revealed that Harley was originally intended to be a much bigger character, with a more prominent arc. However, his role was cut down to make room for other storylines in the film, and he became more of a supporting character.

Conclusion:

The boy at Tony Stark's funeral is Harley Keener, the young inventor who helped Tony Stark in Iron Man 3. His presence at the funeral is a touching moment, highlighting the influence Tony had on people, even those who weren’t close to him, like Harley. It also serves as a reminder of Tony's legacy and how it extended beyond just the Avengers team.