Leslie Jordan, the Emmy-winning actor perhaps best known for his role as the scene stealing Beverley Leslie on “Will & Grace,” died Monday.
Jordan, 67, was driving his gray BMW north on Cahuenga Boulevard in Hollywood at approximately 8:45 a.m. His vehicle hit a parked car on Cahuenga Boulevard and then crashed into a building on Romaine Street, a Los Angeles Police Department spokesperson said.
Jordan was taken by the Los Angeles Fire Department to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead, the official said.
Several media outlets reported that it appeared that Jordan suffered a medical emergency before the crash.
Jordan’s agent, David Shaul, confirmed his death in a statement.
“The world is definitely a much darker place today without the love and light of Leslie Jordan,” Shaul said. “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,” Shaul said.
Megan Mullally, who played his nemesis Karen Walker on “Will & Grace,” wrote an in-depth post on Instagram.
“my heart is breaking. i really can’t believe it. leslie jordan was, hands down, one of the greats. people use that expression a lot, and i’m not sure it’s always applicable. there aren’t that many people who are truly great at anything, but leslie was flawlessly funny, a virtuoso of comedy. his timing, his delivery, all apparently effortless. you can’t get any better than that.”
She ended her post saying, “love you, leslie. miss you already and one thing I know for sure… there will never ever be another you.”
The 4-foot 11-inch actor won an Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series in 2006 for his role as Beverley Leslie.
The Tennessee native also is remembered for playing Phil on the Mayim Bialik sitcom “Call Me Kat” and outrageous actor Ashley Gilbert on “American Horror Story: Roanoke.”
On the big screen, Jordan portrayed Earl “Brother Boy” Ingram in Del Shores’ 2000 film “Sordid Lives.” He described the role as a “Tammy Wynette-obsessed drag queen who gets put in a mental hospital.”
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Jordan became a social media sensation with his hilarious Instagram videos. Jordan began many of his videos by saying, “Hello, my fellow hunker downers.”
His followers skyrocketed from approximately 80,000 to 5.8 million in a matter of months.
In his last video, posted Sunday, Jordan sang a hymn with singer-songwriter Danny Myrick. Sharon Stone and Angie Harmon were among the stars who commented on his post.
In 2021, Jordan released a gospel album, “Company’s Comin,’” featuring Dolly Parton, Chris Stapleton, Brandi Carlile, Eddie Vedder and Tanya Tucker.
That same year, dropped his memoir, “How Y’all Doing? Misadventures and Mischief From a Life Well Lived.”
