Culture

LGBTQ+ icon Leslie Jordan dies aged 67

By Sam Damshenas

24th October 2022

Leslie Jordan, beloved LGBTQ+ comedian and icon, has tragically died at the age of 67.

According to TMZ, who broke the news on Monday (24 October), the star suffered a “medical emergency” after crashing his BMW into the side of a building.

A plethora of stars paid tribute to Jordan including Lynda Carter, Trinity the Tuck, Kevin McHale, Jackie Cox, George Takei, Lil Uzi Hurt, Jackée Harry, Patrick Starrr and Marlee Matlin.

Sean Hayes, his Will & Grace co-star, tweeted: “My heart is broken. 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.”

Sharing a photo from his guest stint, the official account for RuPaul’s Drag Race wrote: “Rest in peace, Leslie Jordan. Thank you for the countless laughs and for sharing your spirit with us all.” 

Jordan’s agent David Schaul said the world is “definitely a much darker place today” without his “love and light”.

 “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,” Schaul said in a statement.

“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.”

Throughout his illustrious career, Jordan made hundreds of appearances across television, film and theatre and won a Primetime Emmy Award for his legendary performance as Beverley Leslie on Will & Grace.

More recently, Jordan was known for his various roles on American Horror Story, his Fox comedy series Call Me Kat and for being inducted into social media’s hall of fame as the official “quarantine comedian”.

At the start of the coronavirus pandemic, Jordan went viral on numerous occasions thanks to his commentaries on lockdown, stories about his career in Hollywood and reactions to pop culture moments such as Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion’s WAP.

He later published a book of essays titled How Y’all Doing: Misadventures and Mischief from a Life Well Lived and the gospel-inspired album Company’s Comin’.

Speaking to GAY TIMES in 2021, Leslie said: “The beautiful part is I’ve almost accomplished anything, and it’s all gravy from here on out… I’m enjoying life, I’m perfectly happy with who I am, what I am and that is absolute gold.”⁠

Rest in peace, Leslie Jordan, you will be so missed.