Actor BD Wong and his former partner, television producer Richie Jackson, experienced both unimaginable grief and profound joy when they welcomed their twin sons in May 2000. Born via surrogacy at just 28 weeks, the twins—Boaz Dov Wong and Jackson Foo Wong—arrived under critical medical circumstances complicated by twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS). While Boaz tragically passed away roughly ninety minutes after birth, his twin brother Jackson survived after spending nearly three months in neonatal intensive care. This deeply personal chapter formed the core of Wong's 2003 memoir, Following Foo: The Electronic Adventures of the Chestnut Man, which chronicled the family's harrowing journey through medical trauma, infant loss, and modern parenthood.
The Surrogacy Journey and High-Risk Pregnancy
In 2000, family building through surrogacy looked significantly different than it does today. Wong and Jackson embarked on their path to fatherhood using BD Wong's sperm and an egg donated by Jackson's sister, with a surrogate mother carrying the pregnancy. The arrangement was built on close familial ties and careful planning, but the pregnancy faced severe complications due to TTTS.
Twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome occurs in monochorionic pregnancies when identical twins share a single placenta. Blood vessels connect within the placenta, allowing blood to flow unevenly between the fetuses. One twin, known as the donor, receives too little blood and nutrients, while the recipient twin receives an overload. This dangerous imbalance frequently triggers extreme premature labor and severe developmental risks. For Wong and his family, the condition forced an emergency delivery at 28 weeks, transforming what should have been a joyful arrival into a high-stakes medical crisis.
Understanding the Loss of Boaz Dov Wong
Boaz Dov Wong was born first on May 28, 2000, weighing significantly less than expected due to the physiological impact of TTTS. He lived for approximately 90 minutes before passing away. The sudden loss of an infant during birth shatters expectations, leaving parents to navigate an acute vacuum of grief while simultaneously worrying about a surviving child.
Infant loss at birth carries a unique psychological weight. Families often find themselves mourning not just a person, but an entire future of unlived milestones. In interviews and his written accounts, Wong described the immediate aftermath as a surreal mixture of hospital beeps, desperate prayers, and profound silence. The family had to process their sorrow while stationed directly beside the neonatal intensive care unit where Boaz's twin brother fought for every breath.
Jackson Foo Wong’s Fight for Survival
Fifteen minutes after Boaz arrived, Jackson Foo Wong was born weighing just two pounds and thirteen ounces. Because of his extreme prematurity and the physiological toll of TTTS, Jackson faced a grueling three-month stay in the neonatal intensive care unit.
During this tense period, BD Wong adopted a unique coping mechanism: he began writing detailed, humorous, and deeply honest email updates to friends and family members. These daily dispatches tracked Jackson's minute-by-minute progress, weight gains, and medical milestones. They also introduced friends to Jackson's hospital nickname, "The Chestnut Man," inspired by his resemblance to the wise, weathered vendors selling roasted chestnuts on New York City streets.
These electronic updates eventually served as the foundation for Wong's published book, transforming a private medical ordeal into an accessible, moving testament to resilience. Jackson eventually graduated from the NICU, grew up in a supportive co-parenting environment, and later inspired further public discussions when he publicly embraced his identity as a teenager.
Co-Parenting and Expanding the Family
Following their separation in 2004, BD Wong and Richie Jackson maintained a committed co-parenting partnership for Jackson, later joined by Jackson's stepdad, theater producer Jordan Roth. The unconventional setup worked well within the fast-paced, progressive culture of New York City, where the family focused entirely on providing Jackson with a stable, loving environment.
Years later, the family expanded further. Richie Jackson and Jordan Roth welcomed a son named Levi via surrogacy, making Jackson an older brother. BD Wong also married artist Richert John Frederickson Schnorr in 2018. Despite the complex dynamics of a modern blended family, the memory of Boaz remained a quiet, foundational thread connecting all of them.
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the death of BD Wong's son Boaz?
Boaz Dov Wong passed away approximately 90 minutes after birth due to complications stemming from twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) and extreme prematurity at 28 weeks.
Who are the biological parents of BD Wong's twins?
The twins were conceived via surrogacy. BD Wong provided the sperm, and an egg was donated by Richie Jackson's sister, who was Wong's partner at the time.
What is the book Following Foo about?
Published in 2003, Following Foo: The Electronic Adventures of the Chestnut Man is BD Wong's memoir compiled from the daily email updates he sent to loved ones during Jackson's three-month stay in the neonatal intensive care unit.
How many children does BD Wong have?
BD Wong has two surviving children: his older son, Jackson Foo Wong, and a younger son, Levi, welcomed into the extended family later through surrogacy.
