Beloved Actor & Gay Icon Leslie Jordan Dies at 67
Emmy-winning actor, writer, and singer Leslie Jordan, best known for his roles in Will & Grace, American Horror Story, and Call Me Kat, has died. He was 67.
First reported by TMZ, Jordan was driving in Hollywood Monday morning and crashed into the side of a building at Cahuenga Blvd. and Romaine St. It was not immediately clear whether Jordan was killed in the crash or suffered a medical emergency beforehand, but according to LA law enforcement, the condition of the vehicle suggested he may have lost control of the vehicle before the crash.
The beloved star was declared dead at the scene.
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“The world is definitely a much darker place today without the love and light of Leslie Jordan,” his agent, David Shaul, says in a statement to the Los Angeles Times. “Not only was he a mega talent and joy to work with, but he provided an emotional sanctuary to the nation at one of its most difficult times. What he lacked in height he made up for in generosity and greatness as a son, brother, artist, comedian, partner, and human being. Knowing that he has left the world at the height of both his professional and personal life is the only solace one can have today.”
Born and raised in Tennessee, Jordan grew up Southern Baptist and moved to LA in 1982. After getting his big break in 1989 when he was cast in the first season of Murphy Brown, his 30-year career was marked by scene-stealing roles in TV shows like Bodies of Evidence and Sordid Lives.
However, his fame skyrocketed while starring as Beverly Leslie, Karen Walker’s sexually ambiguous, socialite frenemy, in NBC’s Will & Grace. The role earned him the 2006 Emmy Award for “Guest Actor in a Comedy Series.”
More recently, while holed up in an apartment in his hometown of Chattanooga, Tennessee during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, Jordan found online viral fame with a constant string of comedic videos posted to his Instagram. Posting twice a day for 80 days, Jordan would quip about day-to-day life in quarantine, give colorful reactions to the latest music, such as Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion’s single “WAP,” create dance montages to pop music, and give humorous recollections from his acting career.
“A friend of mine called from California and said, ‘You have gone viral.’ And I said, ‘No, honey, I’m fine. I don’t have COVID,’” Jordan joked in one of the videos. “I don’t know how I did it because now I scramble for content. Every day, I’m thinking, ‘Oh my God! I need to post. What should I come up with?'”
Last year, Jordan released a gospel music album titled Company’s Comin’, and later appeared as a guest panelist on The Masked Singer, where he performed gospel standard “This Little Light of Mine.”
As an LGBTQ icon, Jordan received GALECA: The Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics’ Timeless Star award in 2021. He also appeared on RuPaul’s Drag Race as a guest judge in 2013 and again in 2022 as a guest director. During the early days of the AIDS crisis, he was involved with the AIDS Project Los Angeles and Project Angel Food.
As expected, many took to the web to pay their respects to Jordan.
Crushed to learn about the loss of @thelesliejordan, the funniest & flirtiest southern gent I’ve ever known. The joy and laughter he brought to every one of his #WillandGrace episodes was palpable. Gone about thirty years too soon. You were loved, sweet man. ????
— Eric McCormack (@EricMcCormack) October 24, 2022
My heart is broken. Leslie Jordan was one of the funniest people I ever had the pleasure of working with. Everyone who ever met him, loved him. There will never be anyone like him. A unique talent with an enormous, caring heart. You will be missed, my dear friend. ????❤️ pic.twitter.com/RNKSamoES0
— Sean Hayes (@SeanHayes) October 24, 2022
Rest in peace, Leslie Jordan. Thank you for the countless laughs and for sharing your spirit with us all. ???? pic.twitter.com/PzJq31z19T
— RuPaul's Drag Race (@RuPaulsDragRace) October 24, 2022
I am stunned at the death of Leslie Jordan, who delighted us with his many roles on television and film. The cause of death was a car crash after he suffered a medical emergency. Leslie, we are heartbroken at your loss and will miss your mirth and your inimitable spirit.
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) October 24, 2022
On behalf of OFM, rest in peace, Leslie. You will be greatly missed.
Photos courtesy of Leslie Jordan’s social media
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