Meet Jackson Foo Wong: BD Wong’s Brave and Inspiring Son

Sometimes, the most powerful stories come from quiet lives. One such story is about Jackson Foo Wong, the son of famous actor BD Wong — known for his roles in Jurassic Park, Law & Order: SVU, and Mr. Robot.

Jackson’s life began with both heartbreak and hope. He was born a twin, but only he survived a rare medical condition that changed his family forever. Even with that painful start, Jackson grew up surrounded by love, art, and acceptance.

In this article, we’ll learn about his early life, his brave fight to survive, the loss of his twin brother, his childhood with two loving fathers, and how he became a proud, inspiring young man.

Jackson Foo Wong Quick Bio

Jackson Foo Wong’s Early Life and Birth Story

Jackson Foo Wong was born on May 28, 2000, in New York City. His parents, BD Wong and Richie Jackson, had long dreamed of becoming fathers. They chose to grow their family through surrogacy — using BD’s sperm and an egg donated by Richie’s sister.

Everything seemed joyful at first, but life had a different plan. Over Memorial Day weekend in 2000, their surrogate went into early labor. Jackson and his twin brother were born three months premature, weighing less than three pounds each.

Doctors quickly discovered something serious — the babies had a rare condition that could be dangerous for both of them. That day marked the beginning of one of the most emotional journeys in BD and Richie’s lives.

The Heartbreaking Loss of His Twin Brother

Jackson’s twin brother, Boaz Dov Wong, passed away just 90 minutes after birth. Both boys had Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome (TTTS) — a rare condition where blood flows unevenly between twins who share the same placenta.

Boaz was the “donor twin,” meaning he gave more blood to his brother and didn’t get enough for himself. Jackson was the “recipient twin,” born weak but alive thanks to his brother’s sacrifice.

It was a heartbreaking time. BD later said, “Jackson is here because of what Boaz did for him. I will always be grateful for that gift.” That sentence alone shows how deeply BD feels that Boaz’s short life gave Jackson his chance to live.

Jackson Foo Wong’s Fight to Stay Alive

After his birth, Jackson weighed only 2 pounds, 13 ounces. He was immediately placed in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), where he stayed for three long months.

His father, BD Wong, refused to leave his side. He lived in a small motel near the hospital and later moved in with his parents in San Francisco just to be close. Each day was filled with worry and hope.

Even during those tough days, BD kept friends updated with emotional and funny emails. In one, he wrote about waiting for Jackson’s first poop — something that sounds small, but for him, it was proof that his tiny baby was fighting hard to live.

It was a long recovery, but Jackson made it. His survival felt like a miracle — a true gift after tragedy.

Growing Up in a Loving but Unusual Family

Jackson grew up with two dads — BD Wong and Richie Jackson. For many people in 2000, that was still unusual. But BD often said that living in New York City made it much easier. “No one cared,” he once said. “It just felt normal.”

When BD and Richie broke up in 2004 after 18 years together, they still stayed very close for Jackson’s sake. During the week, Jackson lived uptown with Richie, and on weekends, he stayed downtown with BD.

Even though it wasn’t a traditional home, it was a happy one. Jackson had love, laughter, and stability. BD once admitted he sometimes felt sad that his son came from a “broken home,” but he also knew that Jackson was surrounded by people who cared deeply for him.

The Meaning Behind the Name “Chestnut Man”

When Jackson was a baby, BD gave him a funny nickname — “The Chestnut Man.” The name came from BD’s memory of old men selling roasted chestnuts on New York streets. He said Jackson’s tiny face looked like one of those wise, wrinkled men who had seen the world.

It became a loving nickname that reminded BD of both humor and hope during those hard early months. Later, BD even used that nickname in his memoir, “Following Foo: The Electric Adventures of the Chestnut Man.”

The book told the real story of Jackson’s birth, his health struggles, and how BD learned the meaning of patience, love, and gratitude through fatherhood.

Jackson Foo Wong’s Childhood Full of Art and Music

Growing up, Jackson’s world was filled with music, creativity, and theater. BD’s friends were actors, singers, and artists — and they often visited on weekends.

BD would cook dinner while his friends played piano, sang songs, and made up funny shows in the living room. Jackson loved joining in. Sometimes, he’d “drive” guests around in his subway car–shaped bed and offer them snacks.

BD said those moments brought laughter and joy into their home. For Jackson, it was a childhood surrounded by imagination — a home where love was expressed through art, food, and music.

When Jackson Foo Wong Came Out as Gay

When Jackson was 15 years old, he came out as gay to his family. For BD and Richie, it was a beautiful and emotional moment. They had always supported LGBTQ+ rights, but this time, it was personal.

Jackson said that in his generation, “being gay is not a big deal.” That simple sentence showed how times have changed — from BD’s generation, when coming out could end a career, to Jackson’s world, where love and acceptance are more common.

His honesty inspired Richie deeply. It made him realize that the new generation of young gay people saw the world with hope — and that’s when he decided to write a book about it.

The Powerful Book Inspired by His Journey

When Jackson Foo Wong came out as gay at 15, it deeply moved his family—especially his father Richie Jackson. Richie wanted to help Jackson understand what being gay had meant in the past and what it could mean today.

So, he wrote a book called “Gay Like Me: A Father Writes to His Son.” This book was Richie’s way of giving Jackson (and other young LGBTQ+ people) a guide. It’s filled with personal stories, history, and lessons that many teens don’t learn in school.

Richie said, “I have to tell you everything I know so you’ll feel safe.” The book is both emotional and hopeful. It talks about love, fear, pride, and the beauty of being true to yourself. Jackson’s story became the heart of that message.

Jackson Foo Wong’s Education and NYU Life

Jackson followed in his father Richie’s footsteps and went to New York University (NYU). He graduated in May 2023, showing his strong dedication to learning and growth.

Even though his parents are well-known, Jackson stayed away from the spotlight. He focused on school and building his own path. His family gave him space to grow, while always being there for support.

His education at NYU was another part of his quiet but inspiring journey. It was a place where he could explore his interests and become his own person—just like his dads hoped he would.

BD Wong and Richie Jackson’s Family After the Breakup

BD Wong and Richie Jackson ended their relationship in 2004, but they stayed close for the sake of their son. Jackson continued to live part-time with both of them, sharing his life between uptown and downtown New York.

In 2012, Richie married Jordan Roth, a well-known Broadway producer. Jackson became a big brother in 2016 when Richie and Jordan welcomed a second son, Levi. Jackson calls Jordan “Daddy Jordan,” showing how close their bond became.

Later, in 2018, BD Wong also found love again. He married Richert Schnorr, a digital media director. Both weddings were happy moments where Jackson was surrounded by love and support from both sides of his family.

Where Is Jackson Foo Wong Now?

As of 2025, Jackson Foo Wong lives a very private life. He prefers to stay off public social media. His Instagram is private, and he has only a small group of followers.

But once in a while, Jackson shows up in photos shared by his dads. Whether it’s a family event, graduation, or quiet moment at home, you can see the love they still share.

Jackson now lives in West Village, New York City. It’s a peaceful place where he can enjoy his life quietly. He has chosen to stay out of the spotlight, but his story still touches many hearts.

Final Thoughts

The story of Jackson Foo Wong is about more than being the son of a famous actor. It’s about hope, courage, and love.

He was born too early, lost his twin, and spent his first months fighting for life. Yet he survived. He grew up in a unique but loving home, came out with pride, and helped inspire a powerful book for LGBTQ+ youth.

Jackson may not seek fame, but his story is a reminder that strength doesn’t always need to be loud. Sometimes, the most inspiring people are those who simply live with truth, love, and kindness.