Will & Grace Cast Pay Tribute To 'Flawlessly Funny' Leslie Jordan Following His Death, Aged 67

"Hands down, one of the greats. A virtuoso of comedy. His timing, his delivery, all apparently effortless. You can’t get any better than that."

The stars of Will & Grace have paid tribute to their cast mate Leslie Jordan following his death at the age of 67.

The much-loved actor and comic, who played Karen Walker’s frenemy Berverly Leslie in the hit US sitcom, died after his car crashed into a building in Hollywood on Monday.

Megan Mullally, who plays Karen Walker, described the star as “one of the greats” as she shared a photo of them together on set in an emotional Instagram post.

“Leslie was flawlessly funny, a virtuoso of come,” she wrote. “His timing, his delivery, all apparently effortless. you can’t get any better than that.”

Deborah Messing, who plays Grace, said “the whole world has dimmed”.

“The joy and delight you have brought into my life has been a beautiful gift. I wish I had the words,” she wrote.

Eric McCormack, who plays Will, said Leslie was “the funniest and flirtiest southern gent I’ve ever known”, while Sean Hayes (Jack) said his heart was “broken”.

Many other big names from the world of entertainment have also paid tribute to Leslie on social media...

Following the news of Leslie’s death, his representative issued a statement, which read: “The world is definitely a much darker place today without the love and light of Leslie Jordan. 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.

“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.”

The Tennessee native, who was famed for his Southern accent, won an outstanding guest actor Emmy in 2005 for his role as Beverly Leslie in Will & Grace.

He also entered the Celebrity Big Brother house as a contestant in 2014.

More recently, he starred in American Horror Story, the Mayim Bialik comedy Call Me Kat and co-starred on the sitcom The Cool Kids.

Leslie also earned an unexpected new following in 2021 when he spent time during the pandemic lockdown near family in his hometown, posting daily videos of himself on Instagram.

RIP: Celebrities We Lost In 2022
APRIL(01 of20)
Open Image Modal
Gilbert Gottfried (1955)

The comedian and actor known for his crude humor died "after a long illness" at age 67, his family said.
(credit:Kevin Winter via Getty Images)
MARCH(02 of20)
Open Image Modal
Taylor Hawkins (1972)

The legendary drummer of the Foo Fighters died at age 50 while on tour with his band in South America.
(credit:Taylor Hill via Getty Images)
MARCH(03 of20)
Open Image Modal
William Hurt (1950)


Hurt, who died at age 71 after a battle with prostate cancer, won a Best Actor Oscar in for his role in 1985's "Kiss of the Spider Woman."
(credit:Earl Gibson III via Getty Images)
FEBRUARY(04 of20)
Open Image Modal
Ivan Reitman (1946)


The filmmaker behind "Animal House," "Ghostbusters" and more died at age 75.
(credit:Paul Harris via Getty Images)
FEBRUARY(05 of20)
Open Image Modal
Jamal Edwards (1990)

As founder of SB.TV, Jamal is credited with helping launch the careers of Stormzy, Ed Sheeran and Dave among countless other artists. He died following a short illness at the age of 31.
(credit:Joseph Okpako via Getty Images)
FEBRUARY(06 of20)
Open Image Modal
Bamber Gascoigne (1935 – 2022)

The original University Challenge host was 87 when he died in February. Fellow quizmasters Stephen Fry and Victoria Coren Mitchell were among those to pay tribute.
(credit:Ian Gavan via Getty Images)
JANUARY(07 of20)
Open Image Modal
Moses J Moseley (1990 – 2022)

The U.S. actor's credits included "Watchmen" and, most notably, "The Walking Dead," which he appeared in multiple times between 2012 and 2015.
(credit:Paul Archuleta via Getty Images)
JANUARY(08 of20)
Open Image Modal
Leonard Fenton (1926 – 2022)

The late actor was best known to soap fans for playing Dr Harold Legg in EastEnders, making his final appearance in the soap in 2019.
(credit:William Conran via PA Wire/PA Images)
JANUARY(09 of20)
Open Image Modal
Cheslie Kryst (1991 – 2022)

Former Miss USA Cheslie Kryst was also a correspondent for the entertainment news show Extra, an attorney and activist.
(credit:Dia Dipasupil via Getty Images)
JANUARY(10 of20)
Open Image Modal
Barry Cryer (1935 – 2022)

As well as being known as a comedy legend in his own right, Barry Cryer wrote for the likes of The Two Ronnies, Morecambe and Wise and Bruce Forsyth over the course of his career.
(credit:Jeff Spicer via Getty Images)
JANUARY(11 of20)
Open Image Modal
Thierry Mugler (1948 – 2022)

A true icon of the fashion world, Mugler launched his fashion house in the 1970s and was a favourite of everyone from David Bowie, Lady Gaga and Cardi B to Grace Jones, Kim Kardashian and Beyoncé.
(credit:via Associated Press)
JANUARY(12 of20)
Open Image Modal
Louie Andeson (1953 – 2022)

The Emmy-winning stand-up comic and actor appeared in Coming To America, Baskets and Life With Louie.
(credit:Joe Scarnici via Getty Images)
JANUARY(13 of20)
Open Image Modal
Meat Loaf (1947 – 2022)

The US rocker and music legend was known for hits including I'd Do Anything For Love, Two Out Of Three Ain't Bad and Bat Out Of Hell, as well as playing Eddie in The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
(credit:Bruce Glikas via Getty Images)
JANUARY(14 of20)
Open Image Modal
André Leon Talley (1948 – 2022)

The fashion icon worked as a journalist for numerous publications, most notably serving as Vogue's editor-at-large.
(credit:Cindy Ord via Getty Images)
JANUARY(15 of20)
Open Image Modal
Nicholas Donnelly (1938 – 2022)

Nicholas' most famous role was as teacher Craig McKenzie in the children's series Grange Hill. He also appeared in the police drama Dixon Of Dock Green as Sergeant Johnny Wills.
(credit:PA)
JANUARY(16 of20)
Open Image Modal
Sean Rice (1972 – 2022)

The Canadian ice skater was introduced to a whole new audience when he became a professional skater on Dancing On Ice in 2011. During his two-year stint on the show he performed with TV legend Angela Rippon and Olympian Chemmy Alcott.
(credit:Steve Meddle/Shutterstock)
JANUARY(17 of20)
Open Image Modal
Ronnie Spector (1943 – 2022)

An icon of pop music and 1960s culture in general, Ronnie Spector made her name as the lead singer of The Ronettes, whose hits included Be My Baby, Baby I Love You and Walking In The Rain.
(credit:Jordi Vidal via Getty Images)
JANUARY(18 of20)
Open Image Modal
Gary Waldhorn (1943 – 2022)

Most well-known for playing councillor David Horton in the comedy The Vicar Of Dibley, Gary's other on-screen credits included Brush Strokes and Escape To Victory.
(credit:Yui Mok via PA Wire/PA Images)
JANUARY(19 of20)
Open Image Modal
Bob Saget (1956 – 2022)

The US comedy actor stand-up comic is best remembered for his role as Danny Tanner in the family sitcom Full House. He also lent his voice to How I Met Your Mother and presented America's Funniest Home Videos.
(credit:David Livingston via Getty Images)
JANUARY(20 of20)
Open Image Modal
Sidney Poitier (1927 – 2022)

The groundbreaking star of films like Guess Who's Coming To Dinner, To Sir With Love and The Defiant Ones died in January 2022. He made history in 1963 when he became the first Black performer to be awarded Best Actor at the Oscars, an accolade he received for his role in Lillies Of The Field.
(credit:Pascal Le Segretain via Getty Images)