Leslie Jordan’s Former Costars Hold Impromptu Memorial: ‘We’re Not Gonna Stay Sad, We’re Gonna Celebrate’

Leslie Jordan held a special place in many individuals’ hearts, and a portion of those nearest to the dearest character actor gathered this end of the week to honor his memory.

Jordan had been planned to join his costars in Palm Springs, California, on Saturday to celebrate the 22nd anniversary of the clique favorite film Corrupt Lives. Jordan starred in the fan-favorite role of “Brother Kid” in the 1996 play that prompted a 2000 film, a 2008 TV series and a 2017 spin-off An Extremely Corrupt Wedding.

Jordan counted Olivia Newton-John, Mourn McClanahan, Caroline Rhea, Delta Burke, Beau Extensions, Beth Grant and Dale Dickey among his costars in the task throughout the long term.

Whoopi Goldberg also made a cameo in An Extremely Shameful Wedding. Essayist/chief Del Shores and maker/star Emerson Collins made that big appearance at the Camelot Theater at Saturday night’s occasion, which was also a fundraiser for The Del Shores Foundation for which Jordan served a Co-Chair of the Honorary Board.

“We’re not ideal,” Shores acknowledged, “however we’re here, and y’all make everything better. It’s been a sad week for us.”

He continued, “There was a discussion for some time that we were gonna cancel because I was simply so ‘destroyed,’ as we say in the South, over Leslie’s death.”

“It’s been an interesting week,” Collins added. “As individuals have been remembering, it’s been challenging to fully express those. And then as this became an extemporaneous memorial administration of sorts, we figured there was no more excellent way than to start it off than with a special message in song by Rosemary and Newell Alexander.”

The Alexanders — who also starred alongside Jordan in the Corrupt series since 2000 — then paid homage to their companion’s adoration for songs.

They introduced John R. Steward’s four-letter-word-laden take on a congregation song, “The Hand of the Almighty,” by telling the audience: “Leslie would do anything to triumph ultimately, and we learned from him. And the thing is, it’s important at a memorial to have a spiritual message, so we’re going to share a psalm with you.”

Before an ensemble contest that was, fittingly, won by one of the many attendees spruced up as Brother Kid, Shores and Emerson also introduced two winners of a $25,000 grant from the Del Shores Foundation. “It’s really exciting because we’ve done such countless things that are around us, and as we sat and listened to their words, it was extremely exciting to think about this family that Del constructed, that Rosemary and Newell and Ann [Walker] fabricated, that Leslie fabricated,” said Collins.

“So we are having new voices and new individuals that come from ‘the same kind of soil,’ as Del often says, that we do.”

Not long before the screening of Shameful Lives, Shores also shared a fond memory of the time he enlisted Rosemary Alexander to prank Jordan.

“There are at least three versions of this story — because, you know, as Mark Twain said, ‘Never let reality impede a decent story,’” he began.

“And Leslie recounted this story often. It got simply bawdier and bawdier with his telling of it.”

He continued, “Closing evening, those of you who in theater know that occasionally you play a joke on someone.”

Shores recalled that he asked Rosemary — who played a sexually aggressive psychotherapist charged with trying to “de-homosexualize” Jordan’s Texan character — “Will you help me out? Will you do the show tonight without any panties?” to brazenly bring to life a scene when Jordan saw the naughty specialist was going commando.

In hindsight on Saturday, Rosemary put her head in her hands as Shores went on: “You know, this is my former mother-in-law, y’all — that’s the way twisted and shameful my life is.”

Shores continued that “everyone knew” about the risqué switcheroo with the exception of Jordan himself — and when it came time to say his line, it was interrupted by a screech (which Shores reenacted). As the audience laughed, Shores recalled, “It was whenever that I first saw Leslie Jordan not have any words to say.

He finally recuperated, we finished the show, and came dependent upon me and he said, ‘Delferd, that’s the meanest thing you’ve at any point done to me.

I hadn’t seen one of those since secondary school!” Shores concluded, “He gave such a lot of pleasure into my life.

He made my life and my career a superior place, and I realize he did to all of you and millions and millions of individuals. We love you Leslie!”

Collins later became emotional backstage as he said, “It’s an extremely special evening. That we already had this planned just appeared to be some way or another magically appropriate that the work that we are doing, that [Del and Leslie] made together, that we are making this feasible for new LGBTQ+ scholars appears to be a wonderful honoring of Del and Leslie’s dream and essayist relationship. So it’s really special to have a full place of individuals who really love this part of laugh and cry and celebrate together. He belonged to all of us.”

Jordan, 67, died in a car crash on Oct. 24 after suffering an apparent medical crisis. Individuals confirmed the news before it was announced on his official Instagram.

“The adoration and light that Leslie shared won’t ever go out and we invite you to share their recollections and comfort each other during this time,” the post read.

This is a thread. And the video on the last tweet of the thread.
1) Leslie Jordan was my friend for 37 years. He was the best man at my first wedding. He was the godfather of my daughter Rebecca and claimed my daughter Caroline too.

— Del Shores (@DelShores) October 25, 2022

“In the coming days we will be giving a brief look at a task Leslie was really glad for and was looking forward to sharing with the world.” Jordan generally famous for his scene-stealing roles, including his portrayal of Beverley Leslie in Will and Grace, which earned him a 2006 Early evening Emmy for outstanding visitor actor in a satire series.

He also appeared in film and TV series, including Corrupt Lives, The Assistance, Murphy Brown, Monstrous Betty, Boston Public and American Harrowing tale, and he was starring in Fox’s Call Me Kat at the hour of his death. Jordan found another following amid the Coronavirus pandemic for his hilarious Instagram posts.

In the aftermath of his death, recognitions from individual performers overwhelmed social media, including one from Bravo’s Andy Cohen, who mentioned Jordan’s social media renaissance.

“I’m taking to my Instagram Story to talk about Leslie Jordan since Instagram was his medium,” said Cohen, 54. “I simply think it’s so sad. Who wants to live in a world without Leslie Jordan?”

And companion Cart Parton was among the many down home artists who grieved Jordan’s misfortune.

“Well I am as harmed and stunned as in the event that I have lost a family part,” the nation icon, 76, wrote in a heartbreaking recognition. “Leslie and I had a special bond, I think the world felt they had a special bond with him. I realize individuals always say, ‘Goodness, they will be remembered fondly’ however in this case that couldn’t be all the more obvious.

He will be remembered fondly by everyone who knew him personally and by everyone who was entertained by him. Find happiness in the hereafter lil’ brother.”