Emmy-winning actor Leslie Jordan, perhaps best known for his roles in “Will & Grace,” and “American Horror Story”, has died in a car accident at age 67. Jordan was behind the wheel of his BMW in Hollywood on Monday morning when he crashed into the side of a building at Cahuenga Blvd. and Romaine St. It was suspected he suffered some sort of medical emergency. Jordan’s agent David Shaul said in a statement: “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.”
The diminutive Jordan (who stood 4-foot-11) was a veteran actor, writer and singer whose credits also included “Hearts Afire,” “The Help,” “The Cool Kids” and “Call Me Kat,” which is currently airing its third season on Fox. He won the Emmy Award for guest actor in a comedy series for his work on “Will & Grace” in 2006 where he played socialite Beverly Leslie, ‘frenemy’ of Karen Walker (Megan Mullally). Jordan also played three different characters on three different seasons of Ryan Murphy’s “American Horror Story,” recurring in the “Coven,” “Roanoke” and “1984” installments.
Jordan became hugely popular to an entire new generation of fans in 2020, gaining millions of Instagram followers due to his humorous videos posted throughout the pandemic. He released a gospel music album titled “Company’s Comin’” in 2021 and, later that year, appeared as a guest panelist on “The Masked Singer,” where he performed gospel standard “This Little Light of Mine.”
Jordan was also an LGBTQ icon: during the AIDS crisis, he was involved with the AIDS Project Los Angeles and Project Angel Food, and he received the GALECA: The Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics’ Timeless Star award in 2021. Jordan also appeared on “RuPaul’s Drag Race” as a guest judge in 2013, and again in 2022 as a guest director.
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