BD Wong on music, identity, and fighting for Asian American visibility

Actor BD Wong rose to fame with the Tony Award-winning performance of Song Liling in the 1988 Broadway musical “M. Butterfly.” He went on to pick up more roles on stage and on screen, including a 14-year run portraying Dr. George Huang in the TV series “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.” Through all his successes and achievements, he’s faced personal obstacles, as well as having to face the challenge of being a gay Asian actor in an industry where most of his peers didn’t have his same background.

In this episode of “Life In Seven Songs,” Wong details his journey as a boy growing up in the Sunset District nurturing his love of musical theater, to New York City as a young man where he lived in an apartment that was owned by the mafia. He talks about how the tragic loss of his baby made him a more confident public speaker, and how now, as an industry veteran, he’s championing Asian representation in the entertainment industry.

Here’s his playlist:

1. The Supremes, “Stop In The Name of Love”

2. Charlie Rich, “Behind Closed Doors”

3. Pacific Overtures OBC/Stephen Sondheim, “There Is No Other Way”

4. Al Jarreau, “Boogie Down”

5. Elton John, “The Greatest Discovery”

6. Beyonce, “Love On Top”

7. Dr. John, “Accentuate the Positive”