What is the cause of death of Leslie Jordan ?
Shows like "Will & Grace" established him a household name, and the epidemic brought him newfound prominence. He died in an automobile accident in Hollywood.
In a scene from the hit comedy "Will & Grace," Leslie Jordan is seen in the middle. He earned an Emmy for his role as the sharp-tongued socialite Beverley Leslie. Chris Haston/NBC Universal via Getty Images
Leslie Jordan was a comic actor who, after a slow start in his acting career, rose to fame from appearances on several television series, most notably "Will & Grace." During the pandemic, his quirky home videos gained him millions of Instagram followers, and he passed away on Monday in a car accident in Hollywood, California. He was 67.
The death was verified by David Shaul of the BRS/Gage Talent Agency, who represented him. According to police sources, Mr. Jordan's automobile smashed into the side of a building after he allegedly had a medical issue. A spokesperson for the Los Angeles Police Department confirmed that a BMW driver died after colliding with a wall in Hollywood around 9:30 a.m., but he declined to name the victim.
"Not only was he a mega-talent and a delight to work with," Mr. Shaul wrote of Mr. Jordan via email, "but he gave an emotional sanctuary to the nation through one of its most terrible moments."
That referred to Mr. Jordan's unexpected venture into viral videos during the epidemic. He began sharing vignettes on Instagram — simple, hilarious incidents from his life — while sitting out Covid-19 in Tennessee, near his family, and was shocked to discover his number of followers soar into the millions. He had more than 130 television and film credits, so he wasn't exactly unknown, but Instagram popularity at the age of 65 was a pleasant surprise.
"I've liked attention my entire career, and I've never had this type of attention," he told The New York Times in 2020.
He also discovered that he had become a de facto comforter for those admirers.
"What I enjoy, though," he explained, "are folks who take me aside and say, 'Listen, I don't want to disturb you, but I've had a tough time.'" I've been imprisoned. I had children, and I looked forward to your writings, and you really, truly helped me get through this difficult period.' When people tell you stuff like that, you understand how essential humor is."
In 2020, Mr. Jordan. His iconic home films during the Covid-19 epidemic "gave an emotional refuge to the nation through one of its most trying moments," according to his agency. Michelle Groskopf for The New York Times
Mr. Jordan found comedy easy, but it took him a time to find his path to a performance career. He was little enough, at under five feet tall, that he attempted to become a jockey in his twenties. But in his late twenties, he abandoned that plan, acquired a theatrical degree, and hopped a bus to Hollywood in 1982.
It was a tough time for a gay actor like Mr. Jordan to obtain employment, but he eventually found work, initially in advertisements.
In the 2020 interview, he remarked, "I was like Flo," referring to the Progressive Insurance pitchwoman. "I'm sure people would know me. I was in charge of PIP printing. I was the elevator operator for Taco Bell's Hamburger Hell, where you went if you didn't like tacos."
He began appearing on television in 1986, with guest appearances on "The Fall Guy," "Murphy Brown," "Newhart," and others, followed by recurring parts on "The People Next Door," "Top of the Heap," "Reasonable Doubts," "Hearts Afire," and more.
He made an especially strong effect on the comedy "Will & Grace," which follows the relationship of a homosexual lawyer and a straight interior designer who share a New York City apartment. Mr. Jordan portrayed the sharp-tongued socialite Beverley Leslie in both the original series, which premiered in 2001, and the latest revival.
He earned an Emmy for the position of outstanding guest performer in a comedy series in 2006.
Leslie Allen Jordan was born in Memphis on April 29, 1955, to Allen and Peggy Ann Jordan and reared in Chattanooga, Tennessee. His Southern drawl was as noticeable as his height on his résumé.
Mr. Jordan claimed he knew he was homosexual from birth — he likes to joke he went straight from his mother's womb into her high heels and has been "on the prance ever since."
His father, who was in the Army and died in an aircraft crash when Leslie was 11 years old, was worried enough about Leslie's effeminate traits to send him to an all-boys summer camp one year. Mr. Jordan told The Times in 2020 that at the camp's parents day, prizes were given out in front of the moms and fathers.
"So here's one for the greatest archer, one for the best horseback rider, one for the best swimmer, and I didn't win anything," he explained. And my mother stated my father was slipping further and deeper."
But, finally, the crew hauled out a trophy, handed it to Leslie, and stated, "This is for the best all-around camper." We had this child who wasn't the best at anything, but boy, did he make us giggle."
He adored horses but quickly decided he wasn't cut out to be a rider.
"People believe it's because of size or something," he told the British newspaper The Telegraph in 2021. "That has nothing to do with it." You must weigh around 104 pounds, and honey, my ass alone weighs 104."
When he decided to try his hand at show business, he recalled, "I had $1,200 my mum sewed into my underwear," and he had to chose whether to go to New York or Hollywood.
"If I were to starve, I wanted to suffer with a tan," he explained. He turned west.
In 2010, Mr. Jordan In recent years, he has had recurrent parts on various television shows. Richard Perry/The New York Times
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