On Monday, Dolly Parton referred to Leslie Jordan as her “lil’ brother,” as celebrities paid heartfelt tributes to the comedian following his unexpected death.
The 76-year-old music legend issued a statement on Instagram about her fellow Tennessee native shortly after news broke that Jordan died in a car accident in the Hollywood area of Los Angeles on Monday morning at the age of 67.
‘Well, I’m as hurt and surprised as if I’d lost a family member.’ Leslie and I had a special bond, and I believe the rest of the world felt the same way about him. I know people always say, “Oh, they will be missed,” but that couldn’t be more true in this case. Everyone who knew him personally and everyone who was entertained by him will miss him. ‘Rest in peace, lil’ brother,’ Dolly wrote alongside her signature and a butterfly image for her 5.4 million followers.
Parton appeared on Jordan’s 2021 album Company’s Comin’, which included contributions from Brandi Carlile, Katie Pruitt, TJ Osborne, Tanya Tucker, Eddie Vedder, and others.
Jordan starred on Will & Grace, for which he received a Primetime Emmy Award in 2006. His co-stars paid tribute to him on social media.
Sean Hayes, 52, who played Jack McFarland on the NBC show, said on Twitter, “My heart is broken.” Leslie Jordan was one of the most amusing people I’ve ever worked with. Everyone who met him adored him.’
‘No one will ever be like him. A one-of-a-kind talent with a huge, caring heart. My dear friend, you will be missed,’ he added.
Eric McCormack, who played Will Truman in the sitcom, also paid tribute to his former co-star on social media.
“Crushed to learn about the loss of @thelesliejordan, the funniest and flirtiest southern gent I’ve ever known,” McCormack, 59, wrote on Twitter. The joy and laughter he brought to every episode of #WillandGrace was palpable. ‘He died thirty years too soon.’
Megan Mullaly, 63, posted a photo of herself and Jordan from the show, calling him “one of the greats” and revealing that her “heart is breaking.”
She wrote that she had spent time with him last month and was grateful for the opportunity.
Alec Baldwin, 64, also paid tribute to Jordan on social media, calling him a man of “wit, style, and warmth.”
Michelle Pfeiffer, 64, described Jordan as “such a light for so many” on Instagram.
‘Generously gifting the world with his love and humor, especially during this lockdown; one of our bleakest and loneliest times,’ a photo of the star looking at the car with his hand on the side of his face captioned.
‘He lived every day to bring joy to everyone he came into contact with,’ she concluded. What a gift. Such a remarkable human being. What a tragedy. ‘Take care, my friend.’
‘Generously gifting the world with his love and humor, especially during this lockdown; one of our bleakest and loneliest times,’ a photo of the star looking at the car with his hand on the side of his face captioned.
‘He lived every day to bring joy to everyone he came into contact with,’ she concluded. What a gift. Such a remarkable human being. What a tragedy. ‘Take care, my friend.’
Jennifer Love Hewitt, 43, posted a photo of her friend smiling brightly with a heartfelt caption.
