Boaz Dov Wong was the infant son of American actor BD Wong and his former partner, Richie Jackson. Born on May 28, 2000, alongside his twin brother Jackson Foo Wong, Boaz died approximately 90 minutes after birth following complications associated with a premature twin pregnancy. His family later included his experience in BD Wong’s 2003 book, Following Foo: The Electronic Adventures of the Chestnut Man.
Although Boaz lived only briefly, his story appears in Wong’s public reflections on fatherhood, grief, and family. Rather than a conventional biography, the available information lets readers understand the family’s experience through Wong’s own words and published accounts.
Quick Bio
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Boaz Dov Wong |
| Known For | Son of American actor BD Wong |
| Date of Birth | May 28, 2000 |
| Date of Death | May 28, 2000 |
| Father | BD Wong |
| Other Parent | Richie Jackson |
| Twin Brother | Jackson Foo Wong |
| Birth Circumstances | Born prematurely at approximately 28 weeks |
| Family Connection | American entertainment industry |
| Mentioned In | Following Foo: The Electronic Adventures of the Chestnut Man (2003) |
Who Was Boaz Dov Wong?
Boaz Dov Wong was one of the twin sons BD Wong and Richie Jackson welcomed in 2000. By then, Wong had established himself as a respected actor on stage, in film, and on television. He earned a Tony Award for his performance in M. Butterfly. He became familiar to television audiences through roles in productions such as Oz and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.
Outside his career, Wong and Jackson started a family. They pursued surrogacy, and the pregnancy resulted in twins. Their anticipated arrival marked an important development in the couple’s family life.
The twins were born considerably earlier than expected. Boaz died shortly after birth, while his brother Jackson required extensive neonatal medical care. These events formed the foundation of Wong’s later writing about becoming a father.
The Birth of Boaz and Jackson Foo Wong
The twins were born on May 28, 2000, at about 28 weeks’ gestation. A full-term pregnancy generally lasts around 40 weeks, meaning the boys arrived about three months early.
The pregnancy involved twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS), a serious condition that can affect identical twins sharing a placenta. It occurs when blood flows unequally between the twins through blood vessels that connect their placentas.
The condition created significant medical difficulties during the pregnancy. Boaz died approximately 90 minutes after birth, while Jackson survived but faced considerable medical challenges associated with being born prematurely.
In interviews given during the publication of Following Foo, BD Wong discussed the difficult circumstances surrounding the birth and the uncertainty that followed.
How BD Wong Documented His Family’s Experience
One of the most reliable public accounts of Boaz’s story comes from BD Wong himself. During Jackson’s hospitalization, Wong began sending email updates to friends and relatives.
These messages described the realities of caring for a critically ill premature baby, the emotional challenges of becoming a parent, and the support the family received during that period.
The correspondence eventually developed into a published book.
The Publication of Following Foo
In 2003, Wong released Following Foo: The Electronic Adventures of the Chestnut Man, published by HarperEntertainment.
The book combines personal correspondence, reflections, and contributions from friends and family. Much of its narrative concerns Jackson’s premature birth, medical treatment, and eventual return home.
Boaz’s death is also an essential part of the family experience described in the book.
Unlike a traditional celebrity autobiography, Following Foo concentrates on a specific period in Wong’s life. It presents the challenges of early parenthood alongside moments of humor, hope, and family connection.
The publication also brought wider attention to Wong’s experience of fatherhood and the circumstances surrounding his children’s birth.
How BD Wong Spoke About Losing Boaz
BD Wong addressed the loss of his son in interviews surrounding the book’s publication.
In a 2003 interview with The Advocate, Wong explained that he sometimes imagined what Boaz’s life might have been like. His remarks reflected both sadness and an enduring emotional connection to his son.
Wong also discussed Boaz during an interview with Terry Gross on NPR’s Fresh Air. He expressed his personal belief that Boaz’s early birth and death were closely connected to Jackson’s opportunity to survive.
These statements reflect Wong’s personal understanding of his family’s experience, not an independent medical conclusion.
His reflections provide important context because they come directly from a parent who publicly chose to share aspects of a deeply personal event.
Jackson Foo Wong and the Family’s Experience
Jackson Foo Wong, Boaz’s surviving twin brother, required specialized medical care following his premature birth.
In interviews and in Following Foo, BD Wong described the uncertainty of Jackson’s early medical treatment and the considerable support provided by relatives, friends, and healthcare professionals.
Jackson remained hospitalized for approximately three months before he was able to return home.
His survival forms the central narrative of Following Foo, while Boaz’s death remains an important part of the story’s emotional background.
The book documents how the family experienced grief and hope during the same period, without treating either experience as separate from the other.
Why Boaz Dov Wong’s Story Remains Publicly Documented
Boaz’s name continues to appear in discussions of BD Wong’s family because his father chose to write and speak publicly about the twins’ birth.
The historical importance of these accounts lies primarily in their connection to Wong’s personal experience of becoming a parent, rather than in any independent public career or achievements attributed to Boaz.
The memoir also provides a firsthand perspective on family relationships, premature birth, and the difficulties that can accompany neonatal intensive care.
A responsible account of Boaz’s life should therefore remain grounded in what his family actually shared. There is no need to introduce speculation about private medical records, imagined experiences, or other details unsupported by reliable reporting.
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FAQs
Who was Boaz Dov Wong?
Boaz Dov Wong was the infant twin son of American actor BD Wong and Richie Jackson. He was born on May 28, 2000.
What happened to BD Wong’s son Boaz?
Boaz died approximately 90 minutes after his premature birth in 2000. The pregnancy was complicated by twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome.
Who was Boaz Dov Wong’s twin brother?
Boaz Dov Wong twin brother is Jackson Foo Wong, who survived after receiving extensive medical treatment following his premature birth.
Did BD Wong write a book about his sons?
Yes. BD Wong published Following Foo: The Electronic Adventures of the Chestnut Man in 2003. The book documents the family’s experiences surrounding the twins’ birth and Jackson’s early medical care.
Why is Boaz Dov Wong mentioned in BD Wong’s biography?
Boaz Dov Wong is mentioned because his birth and death were significant events in the family history that BD Wong publicly documented through his memoir and interviews.
Conclusion
Boaz Dov Wong’s story is preserved primarily through BD Wong’s published account of becoming a father and the experiences surrounding the birth of his twin sons in 2000.
Boaz Dov Wong brief life remains part of the family history shared in Following Foo, a book that documents both the loss of Boaz and the medical challenges faced by his surviving brother, Jackson.
The most meaningful way to understand this story is through the family’s documented experiences, with attention to accuracy, sensitivity, and respect for their privacy.
