Cheyenne Jackson recalls ‘harrowing’ moment he found out about death of ‘best friend’ Leslie Jordan

American Horror Story actor Cheyenne Jackson has recalled the “devastating” moment that he found out his “best friend” and Call Me Kat co-star Leslie Jordan had died.

Leslie Jordan died last October after suffering from sudden cardiac dysfunction due to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease and crashing his car into a building in Hollywood. He was 67.

Jackson, who also starred alongside Jordan in American Horror Story: Roanoke in 2016, told PEOPLE that his husband, Will & Grace actor Jason Landau, had gone to Jordan’s apartment to check on him before news of the incident broke, as he was due on set for Call Me Kat.

Jordan was driving to the set at the time of the crash.

“I was on the phone with my husband [Landau], who went to his apartment to see if he was there. I was sitting in the hallway in Warner Bros. with Mayim [Bialik, Call Me Kat actress] when the news broke,” explained Jackson, 48.

“It was harrowing and devastating.”

Jordan was playing a gay baker called Phil in Call Me Kat at the time of his death. When he died, Jordan was written out of the show, with his character moving to Tahiti with his drag queen lover, Jalen (John Griffin). In May, the show was cancelled after three seasons.

Speaking at an event alongside Jordan’s loved ones to mark the first anniversary of his death on Tuesday (24 October), in which a star was unveiled on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars in his memory, Jackson recalled the deep connection he had with Jordan.

It all started when Jackson was “a young queer 20-something-year-old in Idaho” when he saw Leslie Jordan on screen, playing in his famed role as Beverley Leslie on hit NBC sitcom Will & Grace.

“I remember he burst through the door and said, ‘Karen Walker, I thought I smelled gin and regret.’ And I thought, ‘God I hope I get to meet him one day’,” Jackson explained.

“And not only did I get to meet him, he became so dear to me — one of my very best friends. He was my sober buddy, so we knew each other in the AA rooms in West Hollywood, he was my comedy mentor and he was my dirty-mouthed little sidekick.”

Speaking after the event, Jackson reflected on the lessons that the late, great actor taught him, and said that he is particularly reminded of Jordan when he hears “filthy limericks, Dolly Parton and gospel music”.

“He taught me to have fun. I can get very serious about my work,” Jackson shared. “[He taught me to] make the most of your time and laugh. And he told me to wear tighter pants.”