Will & Grace stars, Dolly Parton and more share tributes to Leslie Jordan: ‘My heart is breaking’
Will & Grace stars Megan Mullally and Eric McCormack paid tribute to Leslie Jordan. (Getty)
Will & Grace stars are leading emotional tributes to Leslie Jordan after the veteran actor and gay icon died after crashing his BMW, aged 67.
Jordan became a beloved icon within the LGBTQ+ community and beyond for his trailblazing acting and endless optimism – as seen during the pandemic where his viral videos brought joy to people across the world.
As well as starring at Beverley Leslie in Will & Grace he also appeared in American Horror Story, Call Me Kat and Living the Dream.
Alongside tributes from Will & Grace‘s Sean Hayes, who played Jack, Erick McCormack (Will), Debra Messing (Grace) and Megan Mullally (Karen) have also come forward with their own messages of condolence.
And many have flocked to his Instagram to share their condolences in the comments of a tribute post on Jordan’s own account.
“Crushed to learn about the loss of Leslie Jordan,” Erick McCormack began in a touching Instagram post, “the funniest and flirtiest southern gent I’ve ever known.
“The joy and laughter he brought to every one of his Will & Grace episodes was palpable. Gone about 30 years too soon. You were loved sweet man.”
Co-star Debra Messing, added: “How can this be? O dear dear Leslie, the whole word has dimmed.
“The joy & delight you have brought into my life has been a beautiful gift. I wish I had the words. Fly with the angels, friend. And sing, sing, sing.”
Megan Mullally posted her own loving tribute, saying: “My heart is breaking. I really can’t believe it. Leslie Jordan was, hands down, one of the greats.”
She went onto call him “flawlessly funny” and a “virtuoso of comedy” who was a “friendly, fun-loving, dear person” and recalled seeing him at a book festival last month where he had the “audience in hysterics for a solid hour”.
It was on Leslie’s Instagram where he shared videos during the pandemic and built an online community. Mullally added: “How brilliant it was that millions of people were able to discover the real Leslie and his love of life and unparalleled story-telling abilities.”
She finished her long tribute, saying: “One thing I know for sure… there will never be another you.”
Finally, Will & Grace director James Burrows posted a photo of his wife with Jordan and wrote: “My wife Debbie with the sweet, kind and ever so funny, the great Leslie Jordan – RIP dear man.”
Other celebrities who have met and worked with Jordan have also come forward with their own tributes including Dolly Parton, who was a close friend.
She wrote: “Well I am as hurt and shocked as if I have lost a family member. Leslie and I had a special bond, I think the world felt they has a special bond with him.
“I know people always say ‘oh they will be missed’ but in this case that could not be more true. He will be missed by everyone who knew him personally and by everyone who was entertained by him.
“Rest in peace lil’ brother.”
Meanwhile Call Me Kat stars, who worked with Jordan on one of his last acting projects, also remembered him.
Mayim Bialik wrote: “Leslie Jordan was larger than life. He was a Southern gentleman; tender, wise, naughty and hilarious.”
She went on to recall some of her favourite things about him, how he would “spit on his contact lenses before putting them in his eyes” and “had a story about every man in Hollywood and some of the women as well”.
Co-star Cheyenne Jackson also posted a long tribute to Jordan saying his “heart is broken in half today”.
Other celebrities, fans and drag stars who had the honour of spending some time with Jordan who grew up watching him on their TV also shared their tributes to the legend.
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