Leslie Jordan. Photo: Miller Mobley
Actor, writer, comedian, and singer Leslie Jordan passed away on Monday (Oct. 24) in a car accident. It is reported that Jordan may have suffered a medical emergency that caused him to crash into a building. He was 67.
The Emmy award-winning actor grew up in Chattanooga, Tennessee and attended the University of Tennessee – Chattanooga, where he stumbled into the drama department, leading him to Los Angeles and a three-and-a-half decade long career on stage and screen. Jordan is best known for his breakout role as Beverley Leslie on the sitcom Will and Grace. Jordan appeared everywhere from American Horror Story and Desperate Housewives to The Help and RuPaul’s Drag Race.
However, much of his recent popularity came from social media, particularly during the pandemic as his slice-of-life videos helped him rack up more than five million followers in a matter of months. As the pandemic stretched on, Jordan returned to the southern hymnals of his youth and he began sharing his performances via social media.
Over the last few years, Jordan became more involved in the country music world. Teaming up with an all-star cast of duet partners, including Dolly Parton, Tanya Tucker, Brandi Carlile, Chris and Morgane Stapleton, TJ Osborne, Katie Pruitt and more, Jordan released his debut album, Company’s Comin’, in February 2021. Helmed by Nashville songwriters and multi-instrumentalists Travis Howard and Danny Myrick, the collection playfully mixes gospel, classic country and vintage soul, celebrating the power of song to bring us together.
Jordan made his Grand Ole Opry debut in May 2021 where he was joined on stage by TJ Osborne, Vince Gill, and Charlie Worsham for the Opry standard “Will The Circle Be Unbroken.” In 2021, he also launched his Apple Music Country radio show Hunker Down Radio with Leslie Jordan, and landed on The New York Times Best Seller list with his book How Y’all Doin’.
To cap off 2021, Jordan brought Company’s Comin’ to life with a one-night-only show at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium, featuring special guests Brothers Osborne, Jimmie Allen, Teddy Swims, The War and Treaty and more. He also participated in the 56th Annual ACM Awards, where he cheekily called himself “portable wagoner” as he presented Dan + Shay with the Duo of the Year award.
In a statement, a representative for Jordan shared, “The world is definitely a much darker place today without the love and light of Leslie Jordan. 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.”
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