Leslie Jordan, an actor best known for his roles on the TV series “Will & Grace” and “Call Me Kat,” was a natural at bringing a room to life with his sassy wit and humor.
And precisely that is what the Emmy-winning actor, who passed away Monday morning following a car accident in Hollywood, will be remembered for by his fellow actors. He was 67.
Several hours after the news of Jordan’s passing spread, friends in the entertainment industry and comedians began paying Jordan tribute online. Eric McCormack, who co-starred with Beverley Leslie played by Jordan as Will Truman, was one of those who paid tribute to the late actor. The “funniest & flirtiest southern gent I’ve ever known,” McCormack praised Jordan.
“He brought palpable joy and laughter to every episode of #WillandGrace. about thirty years too soon to be gone. Sweet man, you were loved,” McCormack tweeted.
“One of the funniest people I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with was Leslie Jordan. Sean Hayes, a co-star on “Will & Grace,” tweeted, “Everyone who ever met him loved him. “No one else will ever be like him. a gifted individual with a vastly compassionate heart. I will miss you, dear friend.
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
In a lengthy Instagram post, Karen Walker’s co-star Megan Mullally paid tribute to their on-screen rival.
Leslie was a comedy virtuoso with perfect timing. His timing and delivery appeared to be flawless. That is the best that you can get, she wrote. And what a sweet, jovial, friendly person.
Read More:
- Judith Durham, Lead Singer Of The Seekers, Dies At Age 79 After Long Chronic Illness
- A California Soccer Player Dies From Injuries Sustained In An Intense Fight During The Match
Mullally claimed that she last saw Jordan at the 2022 Library of Congress National Book Festival in Washington, D.C., where he was promoting his best-selling book, “How is Y’all Doing? : Misadventures and Mischief From a Life Well Lived.”
“How brilliant it was that the real Leslie, with his love of life and unmatched storytelling skills, could be found by millions of people on Instagram. He had a lot to say, and the fact that he had, at last, discovered a platform to say it through meant a great deal to him, she continued. He was truly exceptional and one of a kind.
Jordan’s co-star in the Fox series “The Cool Kids,” Jackée Harry, expressed her “complete heartbreak” over the comedian’s passing.
“Leslie Jordan had a good heart and made us laugh a lot. Rest easy, friend,” Harry wrote on Twitter while posting a clip of Jordan dancing in her underwear at a bachelorette party in “The Cool Kids.”
This man never hesitated to act foolish! It’s impossible to quantify the joy he brought us by doing that, Harry continued. They never end.
— Dolly Parton (@DollyParton) October 24, 2022
“I know people frequently say, ‘Oh, they will be missed,’ but in this instance, that statement is utterly accurate. Everyone who knew him personally and enjoyed his entertainment will miss him, she wrote. Peace be with you, little brother.
“This is really tragic. No matter what role you played on screen or off, your star shone brightly, as playwright Jeremy O. Harris noted in a tweet. “Truly, you were one of the spirits that made growing older as a queer man feel more exciting than being here in the here and now. To a full life! LESLIE JORDAN, RIP.
“Leslie Jordan made a lot of people happy, particularly with his pandemic videos. What an accomplishment it is to keep us all smiling and connected during these trying times… That this could happen to such a beautiful soul feels so cruel, wrote actor Lynda Carter.
“Leslie Jordan, rest in peace. Jordan recently served as a guest judge on “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” and the official Twitter account of the show thanked him for the “countless laughs” and for “sharing your spirit with us all.”
Quinta Brunson, the creator and star of “Abbott Elementary,” referred to Jordan’s passing as “heartbreaking.” One of Brunson’s greatest joys, a fellow Emmy winner, was meeting Jordan while filming “Call Me Kat” on the same set as her.
Read More:
- Oprah Winfrey’s Father Vernon Winfrey Dies At 88 After Family Celebration
- Film And American TV Actor LQ Jones Dies At The Age Of 94
We are aware of the size of the loss, she wrote. He was pure happiness.
Marlee Matlin, an Oscar winner, recalled working with Jordan on the television program “Reasonable Doubts.” He was at the top of his game and had a lot to look forward to, she wrote in a tweet. He was a JOY and LAUGHTER magnet.
Jordan’s home for “Call Me Kat” and “The Cool Kids,” Fox, said in a statement that Jordan “was far more than a comedic talent who won an Emmy Award with whom we’ve laughed alongside for all these years.
“He was the most generous person you could ever hope to meet; he just lit up a room and made millions of people around the world smile heartily. The epitome of a Southern Gentleman, Leslie left us with countless happy memories that will last a lifetime. He also carried an infectious joy and an irreplaceable sense of humor, according to Fox’s statement. We also want to send our deepest condolences to Leslie’s family, friends, and fans, whom he held in such high regard, as we mourn this sad news.
Jordan was praised as “our dear friend” by Warner Bros. Television, which also produces “Call Me Kat,” who called him an “extraordinary person and talent.”
Jordan was hailed as “tender wise, naughty and hilarious” by the cast and creators of the Fox series in a joint statement provided to The Times by “Call Me Kat” star Mayim Bialik.
In the statement, it was stated, “We got to know and love him at the height of his happiness and joy and it is inconceivable to imagine a world without our Leslie: the man who would spit on his contact lenses before putting them in his eyes, the man who had a story about every man in Hollywood and some of the women as well, the man who lived to make people laugh.”
The cast of “Call Me Kat” will also temporarily stop filming in order to “celebrate the many gifts Leslie gave to us and to the entire world while we grieve”
Jordan’s official Instagram account posted a statement to the actor’s followers a few hours after the actor passed away.
The Instagram post invited users to share their memories and offer support to one another during this difficult time because “the love and light that Leslie shared will never go out.” We will be revealing a sneak peek of a project Leslie was extremely proud of and eager to share with the world in the upcoming days.
Below are links to more Jordan tributes.
Leslie Jordan. What an angel. Gone much too soon. RIP. ❤️🌈
— billy eichner (@billyeichner) 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
My schedule did not anticipate being absolutely DEVASTATED about Leslie Jordan. That man was singular. We keep losing all the wrong people.
— Saeed Jones (@theferocity) October 24, 2022
Leslie Jordan passing away was not the start to the day I wanted 🙁
— Demoria (@kornbreadTMFS) October 24, 2022
