San Francisco State University
Bradley Darryl Wong is an actor, activist, memoir author and native San Franciscan known for his versatility and artistry on stage, in film, television and video games with a career spanning nearly 40 years. He has been a vocal and committed advocate and an unwavering supporter of the Asian American Pacific Islander community and the LGBTQ+ communities. Mr. Wong, an alumnus of San Francisco State University, has spoken out proudly for what he believes in and to promote diversity, equity and inclusion.
With the iconic role of Song Liling in M. Butterfly, he was billed as BD Wong to conceal his gender in the historic Broadway Tony-winning play. Mr. Wong won the Tony Award, Drama Desk Award, Outer Critics Circle Award, Clarence Derwent Award and Theatre World Award for his performance, making him the only actor ever to have received all five awards for a single role. This was an even more remarkable accomplishment given this lead role was his debut Broadway performance.
Mr. Wong has acted in numerous films and television series. His most notable screen credits include Jurassic Park, Jurassic World, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, Jurassic World: Dominion, Bird Box, Mulan I & II, Seven Years in Tibet and Father of the Bride I & II. He has starred in many television series including All American Girl, Chicago Hope, Oz, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Madam Secretary, Gotham, The Flash, the host of the medical documentary series Something's Killing MeandMr. Robot. He received an Emmy nomination for Mr. Robot. Mr. Wong has made many television guest appearances including Sesame Street, The X Files, Chicago Hope, Nurse Jackie, NCIS: New Orleans, The Walking Dead and American Horror Story.
Using his knowledge of the issues within the film and entertainment industries and
his experience as an Asian-American, Mr. Wong addresses problems of racism, diversity and representation. These problems range from the whitewashing of Asian roles, yellow-facing and typecasting to rejection, racial self-image, representation of identities in media, Asian-American parental pressure and the “model minority myth.”
His activism also extends to issues of LGBTQ+ rights. Mr. Wong donates his time and resources to several LGBTQ+ and arts-related charities. He is on the Board of Directors of the Actor’s Fund of America and Rosie’s Kids, which brings free musical theater classes to elementary school kids in need. Mr. Wong was a strong, unwavering advocate for the Asian-American community during the surge of anti-Asian hate this past year. He used his social media platform and appeared in national PSAs and videos advocating for Stop Asian Hate. Mr. Wong is an inspiring figure for many Asian Americans as well as others striving to lead an alternative lifestyle.
In recognition of his stature, accomplishments and contributions to the stage, screen, television and the entertainment industry, for his support of educational programs and higher education, for his personal courage and selfless service to others, particularly to the Asian American Pacific Islander community and the LGBTQ+ communities, the Board of Trustees of the California State University and San Francisco State University are proud to confer upon BD Wong the honorary degree of Doctor of Fine Arts.