Movies - TV
Leslie Jordan Was A TV Guest Star You Were Always Happy To See
By JEREMY SMITH
The late Leslie Jordan was a character actor viewers looked forward to seeing on their favorite show, or became the motivating factor to try out a series they've never seen, just to catch a glimpse of what kind of Southern-fried fabulousness he was going to inject into the role. He was never one to be held down by limitations, which made his appearances varied and vivacious.
Jordan had memorable characters in hit shows like "Ally McBeal," "Caroline in the City," "Boston Public," "Boston Legal," "Nash Bridges," "Murphy Brown," "Desperate Housewives," and of course, Beverly Leslie in “Will & Grace.” All of these shows were ripe for character actor guest appearances, but Jordan always completely stole the spotlight whenever he arrived on screen.
Part of Jordan's charm was how often he'd say something sexually forward or sarcastic with his sweet-as-pie Southern dialect, which made him perfect comedic relief when handling adult material. At the same time, his charming demeanor and friendly attitude made him a wonderful addition to any family-friendly show like “Pee-Wee’s Playhouse” and “K.C. Undercover.”
One of his other talents was his distinctively inimitable voice, which he frequently lent to animated shows like "American Dad!" where he played Mr. Beauregard, the premier hairstylist of Langley Falls. He also lent his talents to the Season 9 “Supernatural” episode, "Dog Dean Afternoon," where he voiced a Yorkie who was the sole witness to a murder.
Jordan was beloved in the entertainment world for being himself, and after he skyrocketed to fame during the early months of the pandemic by posting delightfully relatable videos on Instagram and TikTok, he became a bona fide celebrity. Jordan also brought his genuine personality as a guest judge to shows like "RuPaul's Drag Race” and “The Masked Singer.”