Actor BD Wong Apologizes for Racist Comment on Social Media

On December 1, 2025, BD Wong, a 65-year-old San Francisco native and decorated actor, faced public criticism after posting a comment on Instagram that was widely condemned as racist. The incident began when wildlife media influencer Mike Holston , who is Black and has 16 million followers on the platform, shared a playful post featuring a binturong, commonly known as a bearcat, with the caption "Name this animal…wrong answers only." Wong responded to this post with the comment, "It appears to be a Black man, "a remark that invoked a racist trope by comparing an animal to a Black person.

The comment quickly circulated among Holston's substantial social media following, and many users expressed disapproval of Wong's post. Recognizing the immediate backlash, Wong deleted the comment, though not before it had been widely seen and screenshotted by social media users.

Rather than remaining silent, Wong chose to address the controversy directly. On Monday, December 1, 2025, he posted an apology on Threads, the social media platform developed by Meta. In his initial statement, Wong 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. .. . 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."

Approximately three hours after his initial apology, Wong posted a second statement on Threads, acknowledging that it was "wrong to try to 'explain' anything" while proceeding to elaborate on his recognition of the harm caused. He wrote: "I want to elaborate re a racist comment I posted, to clarify that I recognize & accept the responsibility for how terrible it is. 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's apology comes at a significant point in his career, as he has recently returned to his role as Dr. George Huang on NBC's "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" after several seasons away from the show. Throughout the show's 27 seasons, Wong has appeared as either a recurring cast member or guest star in 16 of them, making his presence a notable fixture in the long-running crime drama series.

Beyond his television work, Wong is also recognized for his role as Dr. Henry Wu, which he originated in the 1993 film "Jurassic Park" and reprised throughout the "Jurassic World" trilogy from 2015 to 2022. This extensive filmography has made Wong a recognizable figure in popular culture, which amplifies both the reach and the responsibility associated with his social media presence.

Wong's career has been marked by groundbreaking achievements in the entertainment industry. He became the first actor of Asian descent to win a Tony Award, earning this distinction in 1988 for his performance in "M. Butterfly." This historic achievement underscores Wong's standing as a pioneering figure in theater and entertainment, making his recent misstep particularly notable given his history of breaking barriers and his status as a role model.

Beyond his work in mainstream entertainment, Wong has maintained a strong connection to the theater community in his hometown. He has starred in multiple productions at San Francisco's American Conservatory Theater, including performances in "Big Data, " "The Great Leap, "and "The Orphan of Zhao. " This commitment to theatrical work demonstrates his dedication to the arts beyond commercial success.

An important dimension of Wong's public identity is his advocacy and charitable work within LGBTQ+ communities and arts organizations. Wong is gay and has been involved in supporting LGBTQ+ causes and organizations throughout his career. This aspect of his identity and activism adds another layer to the significance of his recent apology, as it highlights the contradiction between his stated values of inclusivity and the racist comment he posted.

Wong's educational background includes attendance at Lincoln High School and San Francisco State University, both located in the San Francisco Bay Area. His deep roots in the San Francisco community have positioned him as a local cultural figure and representative of the region's entertainment industry.

The incident involving Wong reflects broader conversations about accountability and responsibility in the age of social media, where public figures'comments can reach millions of people instantaneously. The fact that Holston, the original poster, has 16 million followers on Instagram means that Wong's comment, though subsequently deleted, had significant visibility before removal.

Wong's decision to apologize publicly rather than issue a brief statement or remain silent represents one approach to addressing such incidents. His acknowledgment that he "know better" suggests an awareness of his own capacity to understand the harm caused by racist tropes and his responsibility as a public figure with a platform. The multi-part nature of his apology, including his acknowledgment that attempting to explain is "wrong, "demonstrates a level of reflection on how public figures should respond to criticism.

This incident serves as a reminder that racist tropes remain prevalent in casual social media exchanges and that even accomplished individuals with histories of breaking barriers and advocating for marginalized communities can perpetuate harmful stereotypes. The rapid circulation and screenshot-sharing of the original comment, despite its deletion, illustrates how digital content persists beyond its initial posting and removal.

Wong's apology, while sincere in its acknowledgment of wrongdoing, also raises questions about accountability mechanisms in social media spaces and whether public apologies are sufficient remedies for harm caused by racist rhetoric. The incident has become a topic of discussion within entertainment industry circles and among social media users regarding the responsibilities of public figures in maintaining inclusive online communities.