Leslie Jordan’s Will & Grace co-stars Debra Messing and Megan Mullally have paid tribute to the actor as ‘one of the greats’ following his death aged 67.
The Hollywood icon and social media favourite reportedly died after a medical emergency on Monday, while he was driving.
According to TMZ, he crashed his car into a building, but no further details have been shared.
David Shaul, Jordan’s agent, later confirmed the news of his death in a statement, where he said that ‘the world is definitely a much darker place today without the love and light of Leslie Jordan’.
As tributes poured in for the popular star, his castmates from hit TV show Will & Grace shared their love for the star.
‘How can this be? Oh dear dear Leslie, the whole world has dimmed,’ wrote Messing on Instagram, next to a photo of them together on the show.
‘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 ❤️,’ she added.
Mullally shared the closest link to Jordan on the show in her role as Karen, who was frenemies with Jordan’s character Beverley Leslie – a firm fan favourite and a part that snagged Jordan an Emmy award.
Sharing that her heart was ‘breaking’ on social media, the 63-year-old began her lengthy tribute: ‘I really can’t believe it. Leslie Jordan was, hands down, one of the greats. People use that expression a lot, and I’m not sure it’s always applicable. There aren’t that many people who are truly great at anything.
‘But Leslie was flawlessly funny, a virtuoso of comedy. His timing, his delivery, all apparently effortless. You can’t get any better than that,’ she added.
She fondly recalled interviewing him onstage in September at the National Book Festival, remarking that ‘I just had to barely unleash him and he went off on a series of absolutely hilarious stories that had the very large audience in hysterics for a solid hour’.
Commenting on the viral social media fame he found during lockdown, Mullally continued: ‘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 on Instagram. He had so much to share, and it meant so much to him that finally he’d found a vehicle through which to share it.
‘He was absolutely unique. One of a kind. Thank you to all of his fans! He really loved you all and was so genuinely appreciative of you.
‘I’m so so glad that I got to spend some time with Leslie that day before and after the event, just us, catching up. I felt such a deep affection for him that day; he was so warm and present and darling. As we were leaving, I got a couple more big hugs and told him I loved him, as usual. so glad! What a gift!’
Wrapping up her post, Mullally shared: ‘Love you, Leslie. Miss you already. And one thing I know for sure… there will never ever be another you.’
Will & Grace stars Sean Hayes and Eric McCormack, who played Jack and Will on the show, previously led with tributes to their ‘dear friend’.
‘Leslie Jordan was one of the funniest people I ever had the pleasure of working with. Everyone who ever met him, loved him,’ observed Hayes on Twitter, adding: ‘There will never be anyone like him. A unique talent with an enormous, caring heart.’
McCormack also offered his condolences and wrote: ‘Crushed to learn about the loss of @thelesliejordan, the funniest & flirtiest southern gent I’ve ever known.
‘The joy and laughter he brought to every one of his #WillandGrace episodes was palpable. Gone about thirty years too soon.
‘You were loved, sweet man.’
Other stars sharing their heartbreak included actor and Bridesmaids director Paul Feig, Four Weddings and a Funeral star Andie MacDowell and Dylan McDermott , as well as music legend Dolly Parton, who compared his loss to that of a family member.
She continued: ‘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.’
Jordan first rose to fame in the 80s and enjoyed a Hollywood career that spanned decades.
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He graced the big screen in films including The Help, Madhouse, Home on the Range and The United States vs Billie Holliday, which was released last year.
His countless TV roles also saw him in shows like Desperate Housewives, Ally McBeal, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Ugly Betty and, of course, Will & Grace.
One of Jordan’s final stints in front of the camera came in Call Me Kat, the US comedy based on UK sitcom, Miranda.
He played the role of Phil, beside Mayim Bialik, Cheyenne Jackson and Kyla Pratt.
Filming has since been suspended on the show in the wake of his death.
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