In queer circles, we love to throw around the concept of “queer icon” loosely. Everyone’s a queer icon—from Bette Davis to Rachel Weisz, from Barbra Streisand to Joel Kim Booster—if you squint close enough and throw some rainbow glitter on them. But there are some figures who, over the years, endure in the queer pop cultureverse as true icons. They pop up consistently in TV, film and media, and shower their gifts upon generations new and old, in high culture and low. They’re a throughline for queers, a reference point for so many of us in a tumultuous landscape of comings and goings.
By that definition, Leslie Jordan, who died suddenly in a car crash on Monday at the age of 67, is firmly deserving of queer icon status.
The actor and comedian, notable for his Southern drawl and short-king stature (clocking in at a cool 4’11”), is likely best known for playing Beverley Leslie, the frenemy of Megan Mullally’s Karen on Will & Grace. But his credits list spans decades, from guest roles in Academy Award-winning films like The Help to theatre productions like Sordid Lives, Sharknado sequels and multiple guest appearances on RuPaul’s Drag Race. Seriously, the man’s IMDb page is stacked.
The actor found a new, younger fanbase on TikTok and Instagram in recent years with gut-busting videos that have already become entrenched in internet meme culture. Jordan was recently depicted with reverence and wit on RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 7’s Snatch Game by Trinity the Tuck, not long after his own appearance directing the main franchise’s Rusical.
Poetically, Jordan’s last post, an Instagram video singing a hymn alongside songwriter Danny Myrick, has become the site of many remembrances from fans and friends, from Lance Bass to Nicole Scherzinger.
As we remember Leslie Jordan, here are five key roles to look back on and celebrate his genius.
Beverley Leslie, Will & Grace
Jordan likely became best known to a wide range of viewers as Beverley Leslie, the effeminate and conniving frenemy of Karen on Will & Grace. Jordan won an Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor in 2006.
Earl “Brother Boy” Ingram, Sordid Lives
Jordan originated the role of “Brother Boy,” a Tammy Wynette-obsessed, crossdressing son in the story’s central family, in the 1996 stage production of Sordid Lives. He played the same role in the 2000 cult film adaptation alongside Olivia Newton-John, as well as the TV spin-off.
Various roles, American Horror Story
Jordan was a part of American Horror Story creator Ryan Murphy’s regular roster, and appeared in American Horror Story: Coven, American Horror Story: Roanoke and American Horror Story: 1984. His recurring roles spoke to Jordan’s adaptability and versatility, playing everything from a sassy member of the witches’ council in Coven to a personal assistant (and later ghost) in 1984.
Himself, RuPaul’s Drag Race
Jordan appeared on RuPaul’s Drag Race several times throughout the franchise, first as a guest judge during Season 5, and later as the guest director of the “Moulin Ru!” Rusical in Season 13 (where he also appeared on stage). Trinity the Tuck lovingly played him in the show’s Snatch Game during All Stars 7.
Himself, Tiktok and Instagram
In recent years, Jordan garnered a new generation of fans through his posts on social media, particularly videos on TikTok (where he had more than 2 million followers) and Instagram (5.8 million followers). Following news of his death Monday, many fans took to social media calling on all of us to “twirl for daddy” in Jordan’s memory.
Well shit … the world lost a queer icon in Jordan. What are some of your favourite Leslie Jordan moments? Let us know in the comments below.
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