Boaz Dov Wong: The Heartbreaking Story of BD Wong’s Son

BD Wong is a well-known actor. You might have seen him in shows like Law & Order: SVU or Mr. Robot, or on stage in big Broadway productions. But behind the scenes, he also faced something very personal and painful — the loss of his baby son, Boaz Dov Wong.

This is not just a sad story. It’s also a story about love, courage, family, and healing. In this article, we’ll talk about BD Wong’s son Boaz Dov Wong, the health condition that took his life, and how his short time on Earth changed his family forever. We’ll also share how BD Wong’s other son, Jackson Foo Wong, grew up and honored the memory of his twin brother.

Let’s begin this touching journey together.

Who Is Boaz Dov Wong?

Boaz Dov Wong was the twin son of actor BD Wong and his then-partner, Richie Jackson. He was born on May 28, 2000, in New York City. His name “Boaz Dov” was special — it included the initials “BD,” just like his father, and also honored BD’s own father, Bill D. Wong.

Boaz was born through a surrogate mother, who carried the baby after being inseminated with BD Wong’s sperm and an egg donated by Richie’s sister. It was a long and carefully planned process, and everyone was excited to meet the twins.

Sadly, Boaz’s life was very short. He passed away just 90 minutes after birth. But even in that short time, he became a symbol of love and strength for his family.

The Day BD Wong’s Son Was Born

The twins were born over Memorial Day weekend in 2000. The pregnancy had been going well, but the babies came three months early. It was a sudden and scary moment for both parents.

Boaz was born first, followed by his brother Jackson Foo Wong about 15 minutes later. The delivery was emotional — full of hope and fear at the same time. BD and Richie were finally fathers, but they were also facing a serious medical emergency.

The joy of becoming parents quickly turned into worry. Both babies were very small and needed help. But what made things even harder was the medical condition they were born with.

Boaz Dov Wong and the Rare Medical Condition

Boaz and Jackson suffered from something called Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome (TTTS). It happens when twins share the same placenta, but the blood flow is not equal. One baby becomes the “donor” twin and gives blood to the other, who becomes the “recipient.”

In this case, Boaz was the donor twin. That means he was giving blood to his brother, but not getting enough for himself. This made him very weak.

Because of this condition, Boaz did not survive long after birth. He lived for just under two hours. His family held him, loved him, and said goodbye in the short time they had. It was a heartbreaking moment.

BD Wong’s Pain and Gratitude

Losing a child is something no parent wants to go through. For BD Wong, it was one of the hardest things in his life. But even through the pain, he found something meaningful.

BD often talks about having “Boaz moments.” These are quiet times when he thinks about Boaz and wonders what life would be like if he had survived. He says those thoughts are not always painful — sometimes they’re just gentle daydreams.

But one thing he always says is this: “Jackson is here because of what Boaz did for him.” Boaz gave his brother the chance to live by passing his strength and blood. For BD, that’s a gift he will never forget.

Life in the Hospital After Boaz Passed

Even though they were grieving Boaz, BD and Richie had to stay strong for Jackson, who was fighting for his life. He was born very small — just 2 pounds and 13 ounces. Right after birth, he was rushed to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

Jackson stayed in the hospital for three long months. During that time, BD moved into a nearby motel and later stayed with his parents in San Francisco to be close to his son.

To stay hopeful, BD wrote sweet and funny email updates to his friends. He shared little moments, like waiting for Jackson’s first poop, or small signs of progress. These messages brought joy during a very hard time.

Jackson Foo Wong, The Twin Who Survived

Jackson became a little fighter. Even though he was born so small and fragile, he got stronger day by day. He was lovingly called “The Chestnut Man” because he looked like the older men who sell chestnuts on the streets of New York — tiny, wise-looking, and full of life.

He grew up knowing about his twin brother Boaz. BD and Richie didn’t hide the truth from him. Instead, they taught him that Boaz was part of their family story, and part of his story too.

Jackson grew up in a home filled with love, creativity, and music — even though it was touched by early sadness.

BD Wong as a Gay Father After Loss

After Boaz Dov Wong passed away, BD Wong and Richie Jackson focused all their love on Jackson. They raised him together in a two-dad household. In the early 2000s, this wasn’t very common, but they were proud of their little family.

Living in New York City helped. BD said that when they registered Jackson for preschool, no one even asked about their family setup. “No one cared,” he shared. That made things feel normal and gave them some comfort during a hard time.

Even while healing from loss, BD found joy in being a father. He often talked about how Jackson filled their lives with laughter and energy. Boaz was always remembered, but Jackson brought hope.

How Boaz Dov Wong’s Loss Affected BD Wong’s Relationship

Even with love in their hearts, losing a child changed everything. BD and Richie stayed together for a few more years. But slowly, the pain of losing Boaz Dov Wong created distance between them.

After being partners for 18 years, they decided to separate. BD once said the breakup was “collateral damage” from their grief. It wasn’t about anger or fighting — it was about emotional pain they both carried.

Even after their split, they stayed close. They shared parenting duties and made sure Jackson always felt loved. Their bond, built through loss and love, stayed strong in a different way.

A Loving Home for Jackson Foo Wong

After the separation, Jackson had two homes. During the week, he lived uptown with Richie and Richie’s new partner, Jordan Roth, a Broadway producer. On weekends, he stayed downtown with BD Wong.

Their home life was fun and full of music. On Saturdays, BD’s theater friends came over. People like actress Cindy Cheung and composer Wayne Barker would play and sing with Jackson.

BD would cook dinner while Jackson gave “rides” in his subway-shaped bed. Sometimes, Jackson would even offer snacks to guests like a tiny host. These weekends helped Jackson bond with the people who loved him, while also building memories that honored his brother Boaz.

Jackson Foo Wong Finds His True Self

When Jackson turned 15, he told his parents he was gay. His dads were proud and fully supported him. BD and Richie had once faced struggles coming out, but Jackson’s story was different.

Jackson said, “Being gay is not a big deal.” For him, it felt normal and accepted. But Richie felt it was still a very important part of identity and wanted to guide him.

That moment inspired Richie to write a book called “Gay Like Me” — a letter to his son and to young people like him. In the book, Richie shares his own life story, lessons, and the history of being gay in a world that hasn’t always been kind.

Where Is Jackson Foo Wong Today?

In 2023, Jackson graduated from New York University, just like his father, Richie. He now lives in West Village, New York City, and enjoys a quiet, private life.

His Instagram is set to private, and he stays out of the spotlight. But every now and then, he appears in BD Wong’s social media posts, showing their loving bond is still strong.

Jackson also became a big brother when Richie and Jordan welcomed their son Levi in 2016. Now, Jackson is a part of a bigger family — one full of love, strength, and respect.

Final Thoughts

The story of Boaz Dov Wong, BD Wong’s son, is deeply emotional. Even though he lived for just 90 minutes, his impact will last forever. His short life helped his brother Jackson live. That’s something his family will always remember with love.

Jackson grew up surrounded by care, creativity, and strong values. He is the living gift Boaz left behind — a reminder that even in loss, there can be light.

BD Wong and Richie Jackson built a family that honors the past while celebrating the future. Their journey shows that love, even through heartbreak, can grow stronger and deeper with time.