EARLIER: The Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office told Deadline that Jordan was pronounced dead at the scene and an inquest is pending.
A statement on Jordan’s Instagram page read, “The love and light Leslie shared will never be extinguished…”
In addition to Will & GraceJordan appeared on television in AMerican Horror Story, Hearts Afire, Murphy Brown, Ugly Betty, and Boston public. Movie credits included The help and ski patrol. He appeared in the comedy on stage Dirty lives and reprized the role of “Brother Boy” in the 2000 film adaptation.
Jordan also appeared as himself in his own Instagram posts, which became hugely popular as he documented his daily attempts to keep himself entertained during the pandemic. Among his most watched was a video where Jordan showcased his whirling talents.
Born and raised in Chattanooga, Tennessee — he used his Truman-Capote-esque Southern pull to terrific comic effect — Jordan moved to Los Angeles in 1982, “with $1,500 that his steely Magnolia mother sewed into his clothes “, as he later said, write on his website.
Within four years of arriving in LA, Jordan had embarked on a prolific television career with often scene-stealing appearances The Fall Guy, Night Court, Murphy Brown and neuhart. In 1990 he starred in the film ski patrol as well as on the cult TV favorite Pee-Wee’s playhouse.
The ’90s proved to be even busier with roles American Dreamer, Perfect Strangers, The New WKRP in Cincinnati, Reasonable Doubts, Bodies of Evidence, Hearts Afire, Coach, The Pretender, Ellen, Dharma & Gregand Carolina in town.
But it was his recurring role Will & Grace that provided his signature roll. Beginning in 2001, Jordan portrayed the maliciously funny Beverley Leslie, the only character on the series Will & Grace who could rival Mullally’s Karen insult for insult. “Well, well, well, Karen Walker,” Jordan once famously quipped. “I thought I smelled gin and regret.”
Jordan played the character throughout the series finale in 2006 and then reprized the role in the 2017 reboot. Unlike the actor who played him, Beverly Leslie refused to leave the closet despite all evidence to the contrary. “Me, a homosexual?” said Beverly once, amazed. “Just the thought makes me howl with manly laughter.” Jordan won an Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series in 2006 for his Will & Grace Power.”
Apart from Will & GraceJordan is perhaps best known as one of the American Horror Story Repertoire of actors who appeared as different characters in the seasons from 2013 to 2019.
He also played Sid in the 2018 series The cool kidsand as Phil in the 2021 series call me cat with Mayim Bialik and Swoosie Kurtz.
On stage, Jordan appeared in the autobiographical stage show Off Broadway Hysterical blindness and other southern tragedies that have plagued my life so far 1994 with music and lyrics by Joe Patrick Ward. In 2010, he wrote and starred in a second autobiographical one-man show entitled My journey across the pink carpet also off-Broadway.
In a statement, Jordan’s attorney Eric Feig of Eric Feig Entertainment & Media Law said, “Today one of the brightest lights in Hollywood went out. We are heartbroken at the untimely passing of our client and friend Leslie Jordan, one of the most talented actors, singers and performers we know and with whom we have had the pleasure, privilege and honor to know and work. Aside from his talents, Leslie’s gifts of bringing joy to those he touched, his ability to connect with people of all ages, his humility, kindness and sweetness will be sorely missed by all. Yesterday, Leslie posted on Leslie’s Instagram singing the anthem “When the Roll is Called Up Yonder.” Leslie was summoned far too early today and the world is a little darker without him.”
The statement on Jordan’s Instagram page read, “In the coming days we’ll be sharing an inside look at a project that Leslie was really proud of and excited to share with the world.”
“He was the funniest, loveliest guy on the planet” AHS Actor Dylan McDermott wrote in a reply, “and a true friend.”