Jackson Foo Wong is an American individual known as the son of actor BD Wong and television producer Richie Jackson. He was born on May 28, 2000, in New York City through a surrogate pregnancy. Jackson became publicly known because of the emotional story surrounding his birth. He survived a premature twin pregnancy in which his brother Boaz Dov Wong died shortly after birth due to a medical condition called twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome.
Although Jackson lives a mostly private life, his story often appears in discussions about modern families, surrogacy, LGBTQ parenting, and the personal journey of growing up in a creative household connected to film, television, and theater.
Quick Facts About Jackson Foo Wong
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Jackson Foo Wong |
| Birth date | May 28, 2000 |
| Birthplace | New York City, United States |
| Parents | BD Wong and Richie Jackson |
| Birth circumstance | Surrogate twin birth |
| Twin sibling | Boaz Dov Wong (died shortly after birth) |
| Known for | Son of actor BD Wong and part of a well known LGBTQ family story |
Introduction
Some life stories quietly reflect major social changes. The life of Jackson Foo Wong offers such an example.
He was born at a time when families created through surrogacy and same sex parenting were still uncommon in public conversations. Yet his parents chose openness and honesty about their experience. Because of that decision, Jackson’s birth story later reached many people through books, interviews, and public discussions.
At the same time, Jackson himself has chosen a private and balanced life. Therefore his story combines two different elements. One is a deeply personal family journey. The other is a broader cultural moment that helped expand how society understands family.
Early Life and Birth Story
Jackson Foo Wong entered the world during a challenging pregnancy arranged through surrogacy.
His parents used BD Wong’s sperm and an egg donated by the sister of Richie Jackson. The embryo was carried by a surrogate mother.
A twin pregnancy
The pregnancy involved identical twins. However, doctors later diagnosed the babies with twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome. This rare condition affects identical twins who share the same placenta. One baby receives too much blood while the other receives too little.
Because of this complication, the babies were born about eleven weeks early.
Loss and survival
One twin, Boaz Dov Wong, lived only a short time after birth. Jackson survived but required intensive medical care. Doctors kept him in neonatal care for nearly three months while he slowly gained strength.
These early weeks created a powerful emotional experience for his parents. They faced grief and hope at the same time. Later they shared that journey with the public.
The Meaning of the Name “Foo”
Jackson’s middle name became meaningful through a family story.
His father BD Wong wrote a memoir titled Following Foo: The Electronic Adventures of the Chestnut Man.
The book collected emails he sent to friends and family during Jackson’s time in the hospital. Each message shared updates about the baby’s health, the doctors’ progress, and the emotional journey of the family.
Because of this book, the nickname “Foo” became connected with a story of resilience and love.
Family Background
Father: BD Wong
BD Wong is a well known American actor who built a long career in theater, film, and television.
His most recognized roles include:
- The Tony Award winning performance in the Broadway play M. Butterfly
- Dr. George Huang in the television series Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
- Dr. Henry Wu in the Jurassic Park film series
- The character Whiterose in the drama series Mr. Robot
Through these roles, he became one of the most visible Asian American actors in mainstream entertainment.
Parent Relationship and Co-Parenting
Jackson’s other parent, Richie Jackson, works in television production and media development.
BD Wong and Richie Jackson were partners for many years before separating in 2004. Even after their separation, they continued raising Jackson together through shared parenting.
Later, Richie Jackson married theater producer Jordan Roth. The extended family remained connected and supportive of Jackson’s upbringing.
This cooperative parenting style reflects a modern model of family structure.
Growing Up in New York City
Jackson spent most of his childhood in New York City, especially in neighborhoods known for arts and cultural life.
Growing up in this environment exposed him to:
- Broadway theater culture
- Film and television production
- Creative communities
- Open discussions about identity and diversity
However, his parents also made a careful decision. They protected his privacy and avoided placing him in the spotlight.
As a result, Jackson experienced a childhood that balanced public family recognition with personal space.
Education and Young Adulthood
Public information about Jackson’s education remains limited. However, several reports suggest that he later attended New York University, one of the largest private universities in the United States.
Studying in New York allowed him to stay close to his family while developing his own academic interests.
Unlike many celebrity children, he did not pursue media attention or entertainment careers during his early adult years.
Identity and LGBTQ Generational Change
Jackson publicly came out as gay during his teenage years.
His experience reflects a generational shift. Earlier generations of LGBTQ people often faced strong social pressure and limited legal rights. However, Jackson grew up in a time of increasing acceptance.
This difference inspired his father Richie Jackson to write the book Gay Like Me: A Father Writes to His Son.
The book explores the contrast between two generations of LGBTQ life. It also explains why understanding LGBTQ history remains important even as society becomes more inclusive.
Through this conversation between father and son, Jackson’s life represents both continuity and change in LGBTQ identity.
A Life Mostly Away From Fame
Although Jackson’s family has strong connections to entertainment, he does not actively seek public attention.
Instead, he appears to prefer a quieter life focused on personal growth, education, and relationships.
He occasionally attends public events connected to theater or family celebrations. However, most details about his daily life remain private.
This choice reflects a clear personal boundary between family fame and individual identity.
Why Jackson Foo Wong’s Story Matters
Jackson’s life may seem private, yet it reflects several larger cultural themes.
Visibility of LGBTQ families
His birth through surrogacy helped show that same sex couples can build loving families.
Advances in reproductive medicine
Medical care and neonatal technology allowed him to survive a difficult premature birth.
Changing social attitudes
His upbringing shows how public attitudes toward LGBTQ families have evolved in the last twenty years.
Because of these elements, Jackson’s life story often appears in discussions about modern parenthood and social change.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Jackson Foo Wong?
Jackson Foo Wong is the son of actor BD Wong and television producer Richie Jackson. He became known through the story of his birth and his family’s experience with surrogacy and LGBTQ parenting.
When was Jackson Foo Wong born?
Jackson Foo Wong was born on May 28, 2000, in New York City through a surrogate pregnancy.
What happened to Jackson Foo Wong’s twin brother?
His identical twin brother, Boaz Dov Wong, died shortly after birth because of complications from twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome.
Is Jackson Foo Wong an actor?
No public record shows that Jackson works as an actor. He has mostly lived a private life outside the entertainment industry.
Final Reflection
Jackson Foo Wong’s story shows how personal experiences can quietly reflect social progress.
His life began with medical uncertainty and emotional loss. Yet it continued within a supportive family environment filled with creativity and openness.
Today his story reminds readers of something simple but powerful. Families can grow in many different ways, and each story adds to the broader understanding of love, resilience, and identity.
