Sean Hayes, Lynda Carter and More Remember Leslie Jordan: He Could ‘Keep Us Laughing and Connected in Difficult Times’
Leslie Jordan was one of the most beloved comic actors of his generation, which was more than evident after news of his death in a car accident at age 67 came on Monday. His many celebrity co-stars, friends and admirers and mourned on social media, posting notes about his kindness and humor.
One of Jordan’s best-known credits was playing Beverly Leslie in “Will & Grace.” His co-star Sean Hayes tweeted, “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.”
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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
Eric McCormack, who played Will, called Jordan “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.”
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
“Will & Grace” co-creator Max Mutchnick said, “This little man was a giant talent and a genuinely sweet human being who made the world a better place. Rest in Peace Mr Jordan.”
Jordan also starred in “Call Me Kat,” which is currently in its third season on Fox and has paused production in the wake of Jordan’s death. Jim Parsons, who executive produces the series, wrote a tribute on Instagram.
“If Leslie touched your life in any way, from near or far, you were never the same. Leslie was both a man of the earth and an absolute angel,” the caption reads. “He was funny as hell and had a depth of emotion that made everyone around him feel loved. I am shocked and sad beyond words to learn of his death, but I am equally filled with immense gratitude at having crossed his path on his journey. Rest in peace, you good, good man.”
In the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Jordan regularly posted videos of himself dancing, cooking and telling stories, which Lynda Carter remembered in her tribute on Twitter. “What a feat to keep us all laughing and connected in such difficult times,” she said. “It feels so cruel that this could happen to such a beautiful soul.
Leslie Jordan put a smile on the faces of so many, especially with his pandemic videos. What a feat to keep us all laughing and connected in such difficult times… It feels so cruel that this could happen to such a beautiful soul. https://t.co/JKj2t8Km7A
— Lynda Carter (@RealLyndaCarter) October 24, 2022
Mayim Bialik remembered Jordan as a “dear mentor and a beloved friend.”
They broke the mold when they made Leslie Jordan. He was a dear mentor and a beloved friend. I will miss him so much – it’s unimaginable that he’s gone. Rest well, sweet buddy. pic.twitter.com/c9kN0vkxyM
— Mayim Bialik (@missmayim) October 24, 2022
Brandi Carlile posted a heartfelt message, saying, “I can’t make sense of this loss right now.”
Well shiiit
Someone had to say it 💔
I will never understand why god took him home so early. I can’t make sense of this loss right now. I wish I had more profound words to soothe the souls who have lost the laughter and light today… pic.twitter.com/aEz6MDUaOH— Brandi Carlile (@brandicarlile) October 24, 2022
Patton Oswalt shared one of Jordan’s COVID videos with a simple “RIP.”
💔💔💔💔💔RIP https://t.co/Xq5yLlceK2
— Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) October 24, 2022
Brandi Carlisle posted a video of herself and Jordan singing a duet of Johnny Cash’s “Oh Come, Angel Band,” together, saying, “I will never understand why god took him home so early. I can’t make sense of this loss right now. I wish I had more profound words to soothe the souls who have lost the laughter and light today.”
Well shiiit
Someone had to say it 💔
I will never understand why god took him home so early. I can’t make sense of this loss right now. I wish I had more profound words to soothe the souls who have lost the laughter and light today… pic.twitter.com/aEz6MDUaOH— Brandi Carlile (@brandicarlile) October 24, 2022
“This news is just horrendous,” tweeted Hannah Waddingham. “Leslie Jordan. You sunshine through our days. None more so than your selfless warmth and humour through world lockdown. So blessed I got to tell you in person what you’d meant to me.”
No,No,No.
This news is just horrendous. Leslie Jordan. You sunshine through our days. None more so than your selfless warmth and humour through world lockdown. So blessed I got to tell you in person what you’d meant to me. I’m so,so saddened by this news. 🖤 https://t.co/9nXnVRHWQR— Hannah Waddingham. (@hanwaddingham) October 24, 2022
“I am so saddened by this — his social media particularly during COVID brought millions of people such joy as did his legacy career in entertainment,” said Meghan McCain. “He was also just a kind, sweet lovely man.”
There are not enough wonderful things to possibly say about Leslie Jordan in just a tweet. I am so saddened by this -his social media particularly during Covid brought millions of people such joy as did his legacy career in entertainment. He was also just a kind, sweet lovely man pic.twitter.com/CAANBZqQJy
— Meghan McCain (@MeghanMcCain) October 24, 2022
“Leslie Jordan was a kind spirit and provided us with so many laughs,” said Jackée Harry above a clip from “The Cool Kids” where Jordan stripped in a firefighter costume.
Completely heartbroken. 💔
Leslie Jordan was a kind spirit and provided us with so many laughs. Rest peacefully, friend. pic.twitter.com/eULoI7C9fW— Jackée Harry (@JackeeHarry) October 24, 2022
“I had the pleasure of working with Leslie and blessed to be his friend,” said Kevin Williamson, creator of the CW drama “Hidden Palms,” which Jordan recurred in. “Whether it was on set or at a dinner table, no one could make me laugh as hard as he could. Rest now, dear one. #wellshit”
RIP my dear @thelesliejordan I had the pleasure of working with Leslie and blessed to be his friend. Whether it was on set or at a dinner table, no one could make me laugh as hard as he could. Rest now, dear one. #wellshit
— Kevin Williamson (@kevwilliamson) October 24, 2022
Octavia Spencer tweeted, “I can’t express my sadness for his only surviving sister and his dear love M. There’s a hole in my heart. I love and miss you, buddy.”
I can’t express my sadness for his only surviving sister and his dear love M. There’s a hole in my heart. I love and miss you, buddy @thelesliejordan 💔 pic.twitter.com/P8vda4QAQu
— octavia spencer (@octaviaspencer) October 24, 2022
Marlee Matlin posted about working with him on her first TV series, “Reasonable Doubts”: “He was at the top of his game and had so much to look forward to.”
I’m so sad to read the news of Leslie Jordan’s passing. He was such a pleasure to work with on my first TV series, Reasonable Doubts. He was at the top of his game and had so much to look forward to. He exuded JOY and LAUGHTER. RIP dear Leslie #LeslieJordan pic.twitter.com/WgmTZjEReG
— Marlee Matlin (@MarleeMatlin) October 24, 2022
Reese Witherspoon tweeted, “Rest in peace my sweet friend. Your beautiful energy lit up every room.”
Rest in Peace my sweet friend. Your beautiful energy lit up every room. @thelesliejordan ❤️ pic.twitter.com/rgNpe9nbEJ
— Reese Witherspoon (@ReeseW) October 24, 2022
“I am gutted by this news. Leslie Jordan was a walking ball of love,” said Yvette Nicole Brown. “I don’t know how to process this. He was always so full of joy and LIFE.
I am gutted by this news. @thelesliejordan was a walking ball of love. I don’t know how to process this. He was always so full of joy and LIFE. I just…😔#RIPLeslieJordan 💔
"Will & Grace" and" The Help" star, dies at 67 https://t.co/hSSXDgnUZ1— yvette nicole brown (@YNB) October 24, 2022
“You had no choice but to adore Leslie Jordan, he left you no other options. He was magical. I can’t believe he’s gone,” said Kristen Johnston.
You had no choice but to adore Leslie Jordan, he left you no other options.
He was magical.
I can’t believe he’s gone. https://t.co/VupZh02OnF— kristen johnston (@thekjohnston) October 24, 2022
Many pointed to Jordan as an inspiration for LGBTQ people in Hollywood, as he was gay and open about his sexuality for decades.
“You were truly one of the spirits that made aging as a queer man feel more exciting than existing in the present,” said playwright Jeremy O. Harris.
This is so heartbreaking. Your star shined bright no matter where you were on screen and even moreso off. You were truly one of the spirits that made aging as a queer man feel more exciting than existing in the present. To a lived fully! RIP LESLIE JORDAN https://t.co/i7e5lzVTvo
— THEE ACADEMY Playwright Jeremy O Harris (@jeremyoharris) October 24, 2022
“He was unabashedly southern & queer, two things that don’t always go hand in hand,” said drag queen Ginger Minj. “His ownership of exactly who he was made it easier for me to do the same.”
I am so, so sad to hear about Leslie Jordan’s passing. Such an icon and friend to me in my life, even if we never even met. He was unabashedly southern & queer, two things that don’t always go hand in hand. His ownership of exactly who he was made it easier for me to do the same.
— Ginger Minj (@TheGingerMinj) October 24, 2022
“He was such a queer icon to me,” tweeted drag queen Trinity the Tuck. “I literally just saw him a few weeks ago in LA.”
Devastated to find out that Leslie Jordan has passed. He was such a queer icon to me. My first exposure to him was in one of my favorite movies Sordid Lives! I literally just saw him a few weeks ago in LA. 😢 my thoughts are with the people he was close to! 🙏 pic.twitter.com/Rv1nhXtLDR
— Trinity The Tuck 🏳️⚧️ (@TrinityTheTuck) October 24, 2022
Jordan was born and raised in Chattanooga, Tenn., and Mayor Tim Kelly tweeted, “Leslie Jordan was a Chattanooga legend and national treasure who brought joy and hope to millions, leaving behind a lasting legacy of love and acceptance.”
Leslie Jordan was a Chattanooga legend and national treasure who brought joy and hope to millions, leaving behind a lasting legacy of love and acceptance. My heart goes out to his family, loved ones, and many dedicated fans. Ginny and I mourn his tragic passing with you all. pic.twitter.com/03UuuXm1WO
— Tim Kelly (@MayorTimKelly) October 24, 2022
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, which Jordan attended, shared a video that Jordan made for the school’s 2020 graduates.
We are saddened to hear of the passing of Leslie Jordan, member of our UTC theater alumni family. Jordan took time in 2020 to share a thoughtful video message of encouragement to our students on getting through the pandemic. 💙💛 pic.twitter.com/NNSe1pGBqv
— The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (@UTChattanooga) October 24, 2022
“Leslie was so much fun to be around, always had a funny story and he inspired me to keep going in an industry that could be ageist,” tweeted Loni Love, who recently served as a guest co-host of “The Talk” with Jordan.
The last time I worked with Leslie Jordan… we guest co hosted The Talk.. Leslie was so much fun to be around, always had a funny story and he inspired me to keep going in an industry that could be ageist … I will miss you my friend.. Mama is waiting on you. pic.twitter.com/HUsJNFAd9o
— Loni Love (@LoniLove) October 24, 2022
“Leslie, we are heartbroken at your loss and will miss your mirth and your inimitable spirit,” George Takei tweeted.
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
See more tributes from Hollywood below.
Leslie Jordan. What an angel. Gone much too soon. RIP. ❤️🌈
— billy eichner (@billyeichner) October 24, 2022
Today we lost a beautiful soul! @thelesliejordan, you gave us all the gift of laughter and you spread love and light wherever you went. May you rest in peace my friend. 💔🙏🏼 pic.twitter.com/MUNh6Nq0bw
— Marie Osmond (@marieosmond) October 24, 2022
Leslie Jordan touched so many hearts, including ours. He was not only a beloved comedian but our dear friend. Sending our love and condolences to his family, friends and fans. pic.twitter.com/OSL5swfw6w
— The Jennifer Hudson Show (@JHudShow) October 24, 2022
So sad to hear of the passing of @thelesliejordan Had the privilege of getting to know him during our filming of Con Man. He was as talented as he was kind, and he helped all of us through the more difficult times of Covid with his amazing humor. Such a treasure. RIP🙏🏻
— Nolan North (@nolan_north) October 24, 2022
The laughter has died along with my funny friend @thelesliejordan. He was a bright light for all. He was a great friend who made me smile and laugh even when I didn't want to. Loved all of the dinners & singing When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder on his album. 💔💐
📸 @DKupishNash pic.twitter.com/JASZOBiaMn— Tanya Tucker (@tanyatucker) October 24, 2022
I am very saddened to hear the news of @thelesliejordan passing away- I had the honor of working with him on 5 different TV series over the years and the skyrocketing success he achieved was well deserved by such a wonderful person… pic.twitter.com/8gCajZfU63
— Jim Michaels (@TheJimMichaels) October 24, 2022
I’m in absolute shock. I adored @thelesliejordan. As a fellow Tennessean, I was thrilled to finally meet him on New Years Eve this year. He brought so much joy to so many people. He will be missed dearly. RIP. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/3KixDqnMhn
— Michael Abbott Jr. (@mykabit) October 24, 2022
Heartbreaking. https://t.co/nHh1tykzKM
— quinta brunson (@quintabrunson) October 24, 2022
We were honored to have @thelesliejordan make his Grand Ole Opry debut in 2021. Every time Leslie stepped on our stage, he brought joy with him.
We will miss our friend Leslie ❤️ pic.twitter.com/b8hxcAN0r2— Grand Ole Opry (@opry) October 24, 2022
Leslie Jordan was one of the first gay people I ever saw on TV. He has made me smile so many times and you can tell he lit up every room he went into. My thoughts are with his loved ones. Thanks for being you Leslie! 🏳️🌈
— Irma Gourd 🎃 (@QueenIrmaGerd) October 24, 2022
leslie jordan was a genuine queer icon and a goddamn legend. so grateful for his life and his work. he will be terribly missed.
— caleb hearon (@calebsaysthings) October 24, 2022
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