B.D. Wong, the acclaimed actor famous for his role on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, has issued a public apology after posting a racist comment on social media. The incident, which occurred on Wednesday 3 December 2025, has sparked significant criticism online, prompting the 65-year-old star to address his actions directly.
The Offensive Comment and Immediate Backlash
The controversy began when Wong responded to a post by influencer Mike Holston, known online as "The Real Tarzan". Holston, who is Black, shared an image on 1 December of himself holding a large animal on his shoulders with the caption: "Name this animal… wrong answers only." In a since-deleted comment, Wong reportedly replied: "It appears to be a Black man." The remark was quickly screenshotted and circulated, drawing widespread condemnation for exploiting a racist trope.
Wong's Public Apology on Threads
Facing mounting backlash, Wong addressed the comment on the social media platform Threads. He wrote: "Y’all I made a very bad joke. 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." He explained that he had attempted to follow the 'Wrong Answers Only' prompt with "the wrongest answer," but acknowledged this succeeded only in being "Super Wrong."
Several hours later, the actor posted a more detailed elaboration. "I want to elaborate on a racist comment I posted, to clarify that I recognize & accept the responsibility for how terrible it is," he stated. He emphasised that it was wrong to try to explain the joke away, as that could further break trust. "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 concluded.
A Career of Representation and Recent Work
The incident is particularly striking given Wong's longstanding career and advocacy. He is one of Hollywood's few openly gay Asian actors and made history in 1988 by becoming the first Asian actor to win a Tony Award for his performance in M. Butterfly. Wong is best known for playing forensic psychiatrist Dr. George Huang on Law & Order: SVU from season two through to season 17. He recently reprised the role in the season 27 premiere in September 2025, marking his return after nearly a decade away from the series.
His other notable roles include:
- Dr. Henry Wu in the Jurassic Park franchise.
- Parts in films like Father of the Bride and Mulan.
- Appearances in television series such as Mr. Robot and Gotham.
Earlier in 2025, Wong himself was vocal about issues of representation. In August, he wrote an open letter criticising the casting of non-Asian actor Andrew Barth Feldman in the Broadway musical Maybe Happy Ending, a role originally played by Darren Criss, who is of Filipino descent.
The actor's apology has been met with mixed reactions online, with some accepting his remorse while others question the initial lapse in judgement from a figure known for supporting marginalised communities.
