B.D. Wong

Tony Award Actor

Spring 1978 Graduate

        B. D. is one of the country's most distinguished actors. While at Lincoln, he studied drama under Zorra Chanes, starring in a string of well-remembered productions, including a bravo performance as Professor Harold Hill in the Music Man. B.D. not only performed but also was deeply involved in all aspects of dramatic production including set design and construction. He even created the posters which promoted the productions of the Lincoln drama department. After graduating from Lincoln, B D. attended San Francisco State University but remained active with the Lincoln drama Department, assisting Mrs. Chanes in a number of productions.

        B. D. moved to New York making his Broadway debut in 1988 in the lead role of David Henry Hwang's M. Butterfly. B. D.'s performance earned him numerous awards for the 1988 Broadway season, including the Drama Desk award for Best Actor, Outer Critic's Circle awards for Best Actor, Theatre World award for Best Actor, Actor's Equity Clarence Derwent award for Best Actor, and the highest accolade of all, the prestigious Tony Award for Best Actor. In 1989, he appeared in William Shakespeare's The Tempest, again to critical acclaim. In 1992, B. D. became the first man, as well as the first actor of color, to star in the title role of the revival of the musical Peter Pan. During the 1993 Broadway season, he appeared in Face Value.

        B. D. has successfully made the transition from the Broadway stage to the Hollywood sound stage. His film credits include The Freshman, The Lounge People, Mystery Date, Father of the Bride, The Ref and the largest grossing film of all time Jurassic Park. He has recently completed two feature movies, The Tool Shed and Men of War. His television work includes the miniseries Dazzle, which will appear during the fall 1984 season and the HBO film, And the Band Played On.

        B. D. has been a tireless campaigner to eliminate discrimination in the entertainment business and to develop opportunities for Asian American Actors.

        In recognition of his many accomplishments, B.D. was inducted into the Abraham Lincoln High School Wall of Fame in May 1994.