Leslie Jordan Through the Years: From Emmy-Winning Actor to Acclaimed Author and Gospel Artist

Credit: Evan Agostini/Invision/AP/Shutterstock

Leslie Jordan Through the Years: From Emmy-Winning Actor to Acclaimed Author and Gospel Artist

A shocking loss. Leslie Jordan died on Monday, October 24, after a car crash in Los Angeles. He was 67. “The world is definitely a much darker place today without the love and light of Leslie Jordan,” David Shaul of BRS/Gage Talent Agency, a rep for the comedian, told Us Weekly in a statement. “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.” After his death, tributes poured in from his friends and former colleagues. Sean Hayes, who starred alongside the Emmy winner on Will & Grace, honored his late costar via social media. [jwplayer I6nsrgfv-zhNYySv2] "My heart is broken," the Screen Actors Guild Award winner, 52, tweeted on Monday. "Leslie Jordan was one of the funniest people I ever had the pleasure of working with. Everyone who ever met him, loved him. There will never be anyone like him. A unique talent with an enormous, caring heart. You will be missed, my dear friend." Tanya Tucker, who collaborated with Jordan on his 2021 gospel album, honored her friend with a moving Instagram post. "The laughter has died along with my funny funny friend, @thelesliejordan," the country icon, 64, wrote. "He was a bright light for all who was ever around him. We've lost, The world's lost, his friends lost … And I lost today a great friend who made me smile and laugh even when I didn't want to." Jordan's showbiz career began in the 1980s, when he landed roles in TV series including The Fall Guy, The Wizard and Night Court. After years of stage and screen work, the Star Trek: Voyager alum became a mainstream star with his performance as Beverley Leslie on Will & Grace. In 2006, he took home an Emmy for the role, winning Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series. The comedian reprised the role in the revival of the NBC comedy, which ran for three seasons before wrapping up in 2020. That same year, Jordan reached a new audience with the viral video updates he shared via Instagram while quarantining amid the coronavirus pandemic. His usual greeting — "How y'all doing?" later became the title of his 2021 memoir, How Y'all Doing? Misadventures and Mischief from a Life Well Lived. At the time of his death, Jordan was starring in the third season of Call Me Kat, which also stars Mayim Bialik and Cheyenne Jackson. After his death, TVLine reported that production on the Fox sitcom was on indefinite pause. Keep scrolling for a look back at Jordan's life in photos.

Credit: CBS/YouTube

1993

One of Jordan's earliest starring roles was on the sitcom Hearts Afire, which starred John Ritter and Markie Post. Throughout the 1990s, he also landed small roles on shows including Wings, Martial Law, Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, Arli$$ and Perfect Strangers. 

Credit: NBC/YouTube

2001

Jordan made his debut on Will & Grace as Beverley Leslie, a close frenemy of Karen Walker (Megan Mullally). 

Credit: ABC/YouTube

2005

After Will & Grace made him a star, Jordan continued to land roles in shows including Boston Legal, Ugly Betty and Privileged. 

Credit: Sipa/Shutterstock

2006

The Sordid Lives star won an Emmy for his performance as Beverley Leslie on Will & Grace. 

Credit: Dreamworks/YouTube

2011

Jordan appeared in the star-studded film The Help, playing Mr. Blackly. The film's cast also included Viola Davis, Jessica Chastain, Emma Stone and Octavia Spencer. 

Credit: FX/YouTube

2013

The Ally McBeal alum joined the Ryan Murphy universe as Quentin Fleming on American Horror Story: Coven. He later appeared in the franchise's Roanoke and 1984 seasons. 

Credit: K Estrada/20th Century Fox/Kobal/Shutterstock

2018

Jordan starred alongside David Alan Grier in the sitcom The Cool Kids, which was cocreated by Charlie Day. The series was canceled after one season. 

Credit: Courtesy of Leslie Jordan/Instagram

2020

Jordan became a viral video star after sharing funny, relatable updates about his life in quarantine amid coronavirus lockdowns. “People think I’m an overnight success, but I’ve been doing this for 40 years now," he later told NME of his newfound stardom. "In the past I’ve had certain levels of fame — especially with Will & Grace — but it’s nothing compared to how it’s been lately. I used to love sitting in Starbucks with my tea and four different newspapers, but I can’t do that now." 

Credit: AFF-USA/Shutterstock

2021

After the January premiere of Call Me Kat, the Desperate Housewives alum published his memoir, How Y'all Doing?, and released a gospel album titled Company's Comin' with collaborations from Tucker, Dolly Parton, Brandi Carlile, Chris Stapleton and more. 

Credit: CBS

2022

Jordan appeared on RuPaul's Drag Race as the "guest director" for a cast production of Moulin Ru: The Rusical. He previously did a stint as a guest judge on season 5 in 2013.