BD Wong has issued a public apology on Threads after sparking backlash for what he describes as a “racist comment” posted on social media.
The Law & Order and Jurassic World actor found himself under fire after responding to a post by animal educator and influencer Mike Holston (@TheRealTarzan), who has more than 16 million Instagram followers. Holston had shared a photo with an animal alongside the caption: “Name this animal…wrong answers only.” Wong allegedly replied in a since-deleted comment: “It appears to be a Black man.”
After the comment began circulating online, Wong returned to Threads with a lengthy apology. “Y’all I made a very bad joke,” he wrote. “As most people in hot water do, I deleted it for Damage Control but it’s out there & continues to hurt & disappoint & I’m really sorry about the hurt part.”
“Super dumb, but I tried to follow the ‘Wrong Answers Only’ prompt with the wrongest answer. This succeeded only in that it was Super Wrong. I know nobody gets a free pass. I’m sorry if this #wtfbd moment tarnished any respect you may’ve had for me. & thanks if you advocate for an internet that’s safe for everybody.”
Hours later, Wong expanded on his apology, acknowledging the harm caused. “I want to elaborate on a racist comment I posted, to clarify that I recognize & accept the responsibility for how terrible it is. It’s also wrong to try to ‘explain’ anything, & I think that causes a further breaking down in folks’ trust.”
He continued: “Let me please spend the energy on how wrong I know it is to exploit a despicable, racist trope in the supposed spirit of humor; I do know better, but again no excuses. Very sorry for the hurt I’ve caused & for taking lightly something so deeply injurious.”
Wong is a long-time fixture in American television, best known for his role as Dr. George Huang on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, which he first joined in the show’s second season. After stepping away following Season 17, he returned earlier this year for the series’ 27th season.
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His acclaimed turn as Whiterose in Mr. Robot earned him an Emmy nomination for guest actor in a drama series, while he also portrayed Hugo Strange in Gotham. On the big screen, Wong originated the role of Dr. Henry Wu in Jurassic Park (1993), a character he reprised throughout the Jurassic World trilogy from 2015 to 2022.
