Leslie Jordan

Early and personal life

Jordan was born in Memphis, Tennessee on April 29, 1955 and grew up in Chattanooga. He graduated from Brainerd High School. He said his mother, Peggy Ann Jordan (née Griffin; 1935–2022) was supportive and accepting, despite never truly understanding him. Leslie's father, Allen Bernard Jordan, was a major in the United States Army Reserve and died along with two others in the crash of a civilian Beechcraft Debonair airplane at Camp Shelby, on March 31, 1967. At the time Leslie was almost 12 years old. In a 2014 interview, he said that he had a difficult time growing up Southern Baptist. "I was baptized 14 times. Every time the preacher would say, 'Come forward, sinners!' I'd say, 'Oooh, I was out in the woods with that boy. I better go forward.'"

In 1982 Leslie Jordan moved to Los Angeles, where he became involved with drugs and alcohol and was arrested several times. He began to journal daily, which helped him recover from drug and alcohol abuse. In 2010, Jordan told talk show host Wendy Williams that he had been sober for 13 years. In the same appearance, Jordan said that before he gave up drinking, he once shared a cell with Robert Downey Jr., and when they both appeared later on Ally McBeal, Downey couldn't quite place where they had met before. Jordan was gay. Early in the AIDS crisis, Jordan became involved in AIDS Project Los Angeles as a buddy and as a food delivery-person for Project Angel Food.

Career

Film and television

Jordan began his career in 1986, appearing as Malone in the adventure series The Fall Guy. He quickly became recognizable in the industry for his diminutive size and Southern drawl. He appeared as newspaper editor Mr. Blackly in the movie The Help. His television career includes guest appearances on Murphy Brown, Will & Grace, Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, Star Trek: Voyager, Caroline in the City, Pee-wee's Playhouse, Reba, Boston Public, Boston Legal, Nash Bridges, American Horror Story, Perfect Strangers, and Hearts Afire. In 1990, Jordan portrayed the ski patrol director in Ski Patrol. In 2007, he guest-starred on the comedy drama Ugly Betty as celebrity-trasher Quincy Combs, and he starred as Jesse Joe in the short-lived CW television program Hidden Palms.

On the television series Will & Grace, Jordan played Beverley Leslie, Karen Walker's pretentious, poorly-closeted rival, Jordan starred in the pilot episode of Laugh Out, the world's first interactive, gay-themed comedy show. On August 18, 2014, he became a housemate in the fourteenth season of the British reality game show Celebrity Big Brother. He was the second person to leave the Big Brother house (August 29, 2014). In January 2015, he guest-starred in the British sitcom Benidorm for two episodes, as the character Buck A. Roo. On November 1, 2017, he appeared in the new British television drama Living the Dream, produced jointly by Sky and Big Talk Productions but branded as a Sky Original Production. In 2018–2019, he starred in the Fox sitcom The Cool Kids, along with Martin Mull, Vicki Lawrence, and David Alan Grier.

On April 2, 2020, it was announced Jordan would play the series regular role of Phil in the Fox sitcom Call Me Kat, along with Mayim Bialik, Swoosie Kurtz, Kyla Pratt, and Cheyenne Jackson. The show premiered in January 2021. In the same year, Jordan was a guest panelist on season six of The Masked Singer during Week 5 where he also did a performance of "This Little Light of Mine" as "Soft Serve". He later returned as a guest panelist in season seven and season eight. A posthumously-airing holiday episode of Lego Masters was one of his final works before his death.

Theater

Jordan played Earl "Brother Boy" Ingram in Sordid Lives and also portrayed this character in the popular cult film of the same name. He reprised the role in a televised spin-off of the movie, which aired on Logo, where he played a character who is institutionalized in a mental hospital. He wrote and starred in the autobiographical play Lost in the Pershing Point Hotel, which was made into a motion picture. In 2004, he toured the country performing his one-man stage comedy, Like a Dog on Linoleum, to generally favorable reviews.{{cite journal | access-date = April 2, 2014

Jordan's first autobiographical stage show was called Hysterical Blindness and Other Southern Tragedies That Have Plagued My Life Thus Far, with music and lyrics by Joe Patrick Ward. The production, in which Jordan was backed by a gospel choir singing satirical songs about racism and homophobia, was produced off-Broadway at the SoHo Playhouse and ran for seven months. Next, he distilled his experiences growing up as an effeminate, tiny boy in the South and in show business into an autobiographical one-man show, My Trip Down the Pink Carpet. During the opening of My Trip Down the Pink Carpet, Jordan's microphone stopped working, but he kept on with the show like nothing happened; the show was a success. After touring the nation for several months with the production, the show opened off-Broadway at the Midtown Theater on April 19, 2010. The show was produced by Jordan's friend, actress Lily Tomlin. He announced on The Paul O'Grady Show that he would be bringing his show to London's Apollo Theatre.

Music

Jordan released a gospel music album, ''Company's Comin''' in 2021.

Social media

At the time of his death, Jordan had accumulated 5.8 million Instagram followers. His following grew substantially in response to his comedy posts during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Death

On October 24, 2022, at approximately 9:30 am PDT, while driving to film scenes at the Call Me Kat set, Jordan's car hit the side of a building at Cahuenga Boulevard and Romaine Street in Hollywood. He was believed to have experienced a medical episode that led to the crash. He was pronounced dead at the scene. He was 67 years old.

In January 2023, an autopsy report revealed Jordan died by "sudden cardiac dysfunction". According to the Los Angeles County Coroner's Office, he died from sudden cardiac dysfunction due to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease. There was no evidence of alcohol or other drugs in Jordan's system. At the time of his death, he had been sober for more than two decades.

Awards

In 2021, Jordan received GALECA: The Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics' Timeless Star award, the group's career achievement honor given to "an actor or performer whose exemplary career is marked by character, wisdom and wit." He accepted the award, previously bestowed on Jane Fonda, Meryl Streep, John Waters, Harvey Fierstein, Lily Tomlin, Angela Lansbury, and Ian McKellen, in the Society's Dorian Awards 'Toast' TV. Jordan also won an Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series Emmy Award in 2006 for his part as Beverley Leslie in Will & Grace.

Credits

Writer

• Lost in the Pershing Point Hotel (play)
• My Trip Down the Pink Carpet (2008)
• Hysterical Blindness and Other Southern Tragedies That Have Plagued My Life Thus Far
• How Y'all Doing?: Misadventures and Mischief from a Life Well Lived (2021)

Stage

• Found a Peanut (1986)
• Sordid Lives (1996)
• Southern Baptist Sissies (2000)
• Lost in the Pershing Point Hotel
• Like a Dog on Linoleum (2004)
• My Trip Down the Pink Carpet (2010)
• Lucky Guy (2011); off-Broadway musical, in the role of Big Al Wright

Filmography

Film

Television

Discography

• ''Company's Comin''' (April 2, 2021)

References

References

1. (April 2, 2021). "On 'Company's Comin',' Leslie Jordan And Gospel Greats Dance For Joy". [[NPR]].
2. Underwood, Lindsey. (June 23, 2020). "It's a Wonderful Time to Be Leslie Jordan". [[The New York Times]].
3. "Leslie Jordan Biography".
4. "Biography". Leslie Jordan official website.
5. "Bright Lights, Big City – CityScope Magazine".
6. "Peggy Jordan Obituary".
7. (April 2, 1967). "Bodies Of Three Men Found in Wreckage". [[The Leaf-Chronicle]].
8. (3 April 1967). "Seek cause of plane crash at Camp Shelby". Hattiesburg American.
9. Middleton, Josh. (March 12, 2014). "GIRL TALK: Gossiping With Southern Baptist Sissies Star Leslie Jordan".
10. Duerst, Austin. (October 16, 2012). "Funnyman Leslie Jordan reflects on 'The Help', 'Will & Grace', 'Ski Patrol' and one-man comedy shows".
11. (April 20, 2010). ""Leslie Jordan's Famous Prison Mate," ''The Wendy Williams Show''".
12. (November 22, 2018). "Exclusive Interview: We Can't Get Enough of Southern Belle Leslie Jordan".
13. Guy, Zoe. (October 24, 2022). "Leslie Jordan, Delightful Actor and Social-Media King, Dead at 67".
14. "Emmy-Winner Leslie Jordan Headlines Tuesday Night Live May 15".
15. "Leslie Jordan reveals how 'The Help' cast rescued a puppy — and who they named it after".
16. (March 31, 2020). "'Will & Grace' actor's viral videos are a beacon of funny in the darkness".
17. (May 31, 2007). "Screen Cap: Leslie Jordan On Hidden Palms". Towleroad Gay News.
18. Jordan, Leslie. (2008). "My Trip Down the Pink Carpet". Simon and Schuster.
19. (May 2, 2015). "Atlanta Entertainment Company to Produce Innovative, Interactive Gay-Themed Comedy Show".
20. (August 23, 2014). "CBB: Who has Leslie sent to the Scrapheap?".
21. "The final Benidorm for Sheila Reid".
22. Dowell, Ben. (October 19, 2017). "Philip Glenister and Lesley Sharp are Brits abroad in first look at Sky's new Florida comedy Living the Dream". [[Radio Times]].
23. Boedeker, Hal. (May 14, 2018). "Fox makes room for veteran performers". Orlando Sentinel.
24. Petski, Denise. (April 2, 2020). "Leslie Jordan Joins 'Call Me Kat' Fox Comedy Series Starring Mayim Bialik".
25. (October 24, 2022). "7 Times Leslie Jordan Was Hilarious and Iconic".
26. (September 7, 2022). "'Lego Masters: Celebrity Holiday Bricktacular' on December 19–21".
27. Parks, Tim. (August 17, 2006). "The 'Sordid Lives' of 'Southern Baptist Sissies". The Gay and Lesbian Times.
28. Nichols, David C.. (October 15, 2004). "'Dog on Linoleum' finds firm footing". Los Angeles Times.
29. (June 13, 1994). "Theatre Reviews".
30. (May 28, 1994). "Review/Theater; A Hollywood Soul's Trip From Tennessee".
31. Freeman, Chris. (2009). "Leslie Jordan: from small screen to big stage". The Gay and Lesbian Review.
32. "Host – Paul O'Grady Live | TVmaze".
33. "Anderson Cooper cracks up at Leslie Jordan's life hack". CNN.
34. "Leslie Jordan Was Headed to Set of 'Call Me Kat' When He Died". TMZ.
35. Shanfield, Ethan. (October 24, 2022). "Leslie Jordan, 'Will & Grace' and 'American Horror Story' Star, Dies at 67 in Car Accident".
36. (October 26, 2022). "Leslie Jordan's cause of death 'deferred' by L.A. coroner pending more investigation".
37. (January 19, 2023). "Leslie Jordan Died from 'Cardiac Dysfunction' Before Crashing Car into Building".
38. "Leslie Jordan's Cause of Death Confirmed".
39. Beresford, Trilby. (April 8, 2021). "Dorian Film Awards: Chloe Zhao and 'Nomadland' Win Top Honors From LGBTQ Entertainment Critics".
40. Arnold, JW. (April 22, 2021). "'Nomadland,' 'Ma Rainey' Top LGBTQ Critics Awards".
41. "Will & Grace".
42. (June 2, 2009). "My Trip Down the Pink Carpet". Gallery Books.
43. Drake, Sylvie. (July 1, 1986). "Stage Review: 'Found A Peanut' As Child's Play". [[Los Angeles Times]].
44. (October 24, 2022). "Leslie Jordan, stage".
45. "Leslie Jordan filmography".
46. "Leslie Jordan filmography".
47. (October 24, 2022). "'Will & Grace' Actor Leslie Jordan Dies In Single-Car Accident At 67".
48. (October 24, 2022). "Remembering Leslie Jordan's best sci-fi & horror roles, from 'American Horror Story' to 'Star Trek'".
49. "«Black Velvet Pantsuit» (1995)".
50. "Black Velvet Pantsuit".
51. "Where Are They Now?: Leslie Jordan".
52. (February 12, 1997). "Two Weeks from Sunday (1997)".
53. "Movie- – The Gristle – 2001 Cast، Video، Trailer، photos، Reviews، Showtimes".
54. "Moving Alan".
55. "Home on the Range (2004)".
56. (August 25, 2015). ""Many years ago I was hired by Disney to provide a cartoon voice for an animated feature film called HOME ON THE...".
57. "Watch & Learn".
58. (October 25, 2022). "Leslie Jordan – About".
59. "Rockabilly Baby (2009)".
60. "Leslie Jordan: My Trip Down the Pink Carpet (2010)".
61. "Mangus!".
62. (January 5, 2012). "Yahoo to Stream Funny Or Die's Mock Presidential Debate".
63. (12 August 2021). "Brother's Osborne - I'm Not for Everyone". EMI Records Nashville.
64. Christopherson, David. (October 24, 2022). "Leslie Jordan, Star of Will & Grace and American Horror Story, Dies at 67".
65. "Leslie Jordan Biography, Songs, & Albums".
66. (December 31, 2009). "People Next Door, The – Nostalgia Central".
67. Genzlinger, Neil. (October 24, 2022). "Leslie Jordan, Comic Actor and Instagram Star, Dies at 67". The New York Times.
68. Colangelo, B. J.. (October 25, 2022). "Leslie Jordan Was A TV Guest Star You Were Always Happy To See".
69. "Nurses: The Spinoff – Empty Nest TV".
70. "Cast & Crew – Charlie Grace".
71. "Leslie Jordan – Rotten Tomatoes".
72. "Mr. & Mrs. Smith: The Second Episode | TVmaze".
73. Thompson, Eliza. (October 24, 2022). "Leslie Jordan Through the Years: His Life in Photos".
74. "Actor And Comedian Leslie Jordan (1955–2022) – Sitcoms Online Message Boards – Forums".
75. "Leslie Jordan Dead: Beloved Will and Grace Actor Dies in Car Crash". People.
76. White, Simon. "Martial Law (an Episode Guide)".
77. "geoffgould.net – Geoffrey Gould – "Sabrina the Teenage Witch" episode 5.07 "Welcome Traveler"".
78. "Sabrina, the Teenage Witch: Welcome, Traveler | TVmaze".
79. Darling, Cary. (November 21, 2018). "'12 Miles of Bad Road': The great Texas TV series you never saw".
80. "12 Miles of Bad Road (TV Series)".
81. Kimball, Trevor. (December 29, 2008). "Privileged".
82. (October 22, 2014). "The Sweetness of Lady Clover Honey | Get Out! Magazine – NYC's Gay Magazine".
83. "Grammer Will Direct Shepherd in New Lifetime Pilot | Playbill".
84. DataBase, The Big Cartoon. (January 2024). "Little Miss Backstabber (Cuppa Coffee Studios, Rogers Media...)".
85. "The Game (Cine.com)".
86. "The Exes: Toy Story | TVmaze".
87. "Supernatural "Dog Dean Afternoon" – TV Goodness".
88. (November 8, 2013). "Leslie Jordan as a Horn Dog on Supernatural".
89. "Jurist Prudence – Guest Cast | TVmaze".
90. "The Last Sharknado: It's About Time".
91. (March 31, 2021). "'The Great North's Gay Kiss Just Made Animation History".
92. "Listings – FANTASY ISLAND on FOX {{!}} TheFutonCritic.com".
93. "Special: Why Is No One Ready? | TVmaze".
94. Nolfi, Joey. (May 2, 2022). "Trixie Mattel puts a hotel in stunning drag (with a wig and a sledgehammer) in Trixie Motel preview".
95. "News".