Leslie Jordan, Who Brought Joy To Millions, Tragically Killed In Car Accident
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Actor and comedian, Leslie Jordan, who brought laughter and joy to multiple generations, from his recurring role on the hit NBC show Will & Grace in the 1990s and recently via the social media platforms Instagram and TikTok throughout the Covid-19 pandemic was killed in a car accident in Hollywood Monday.
He was 67.
Leslie Jordan, a comic actor who after a late start in his performing career became a recognizable face from roles on numerous television shows, most notably “Will & Grace,” then achieved even more fame during the pandemic when his quirky homemade videos attracted millions of Instagram followers, died on Monday in a car crash in Hollywood, Calif. He was 67.
David Shaul of the BRS/Gage Talent Agency, which represented him, confirmed the death. News reports quoting the police said Mr. Jordan’s car crashed into the side of a building after he had apparently experienced a medical emergency. A spokesman for the Los Angeles Police Department confirmed that someone driving a BMW collided with a wall in Hollywood at 9:30 a.m. and died, but he declined to identify the victim.
“Not only was he a mega-talent and joy to work with,” Mr. Shaul said of Mr. Jordan by email, “but he provided an emotional sanctuary to the nation at one of its most difficult times.”
That was a reference to Mr. Jordan’s surprising foray into viral videos during the pandemic. Sitting out Covid-19 in Tennessee, near his family, he began posting vignettes on Instagram — simple, amusing moments from his life — and was surprised to find his number of followers balloon into the millions. He had accumulated more than 130 television and film credits, so he hadn’t been exactly undiscovered, but the Instagram stardom at age 65 was an unexpected treat.
There were so many touching anecdotes and remembrances of Jordan perhaps my the most eloquent came from Leo Herrera:
I had the pleasure of working with Leslie Jordan when he hosted an award show I helped produce, “The Hookies” which was the Oscars of Escorting in NYC in 2015. He was as sweet and funny behind the scenes as he was on TV. Rest Easy Short King.
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And Del Shores:
This is a thread. And the video on the last tweet of the thread.
1) Leslie Jordan was my friend for 37 years. He was the best man at my first wedding. He was the godfather of my daughter Rebecca and claimed my daughter Caroline too.— Del Shores (@DelShores) October 25, 2022
And Eric:
One of the saddest things about losing Leslie Jordan is realizing how few gay men of his generation survived the AIDS crisis. All that talent, fabulousness, and culture we never got to see. Imagine 70,000+ more Leslie Jordan’s. 🏳️🌈 pic.twitter.com/ffE0bImvM0
— Eric Gonzaba (@EGonzaba) October 24, 2022
And Jeff:
I’ve been thinking a lot about Leslie Jordan, obviously, reflecting upon his brilliance, marveling that I got to spend a few years in the company of such an extraordinary comedic talent — and realized that y’all may not know the story of how Beverley Leslie came to be. (cont’d.)
— Jeff Greenstein (@blue439) October 25, 2022
