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Comedian, Actor Leslie Jordan Found Dead Following Car Crash

Leslie Jordan teamed with Dolly Parton, Tanya Tucker, Chris Stapleton, Brandi Carlile, Ashley McBryde and T.J. Osborne on "Company's Comin'" in 2021

Comedian, actor and singer Leslie Jordan who teamed with artists including Dolly Parton, Eddie Vedder, Tanya Tucker, Chris and Morgane Stapleton, Brandi Carlile, Ashley McBryde, T.J. Osborne, Charlie Worsham and Katie Pruitt to make his gospel album "Company's Comin'" last year died Monday following a car crash in Hollywood, California, sources confirmed to the Los Angeles Times.

Jordan was 67 years old. He was most known for his role as Beverly Leslie in the TV show "Will and Grace," for which he won a primetime Emmy in 2006.

Reports indicate he was driving his BMW when he crashed into the side of a building at Cahuenga Boulevard and Romaine Street at 9:30 a.m.

Jordan was pronounced dead at the scene. The Times reports that it isn't known if Jordan was killed in the crash or suffered a medical emergency but that the vehicle's condition suggests he lost control of the car before the crash.

In addition to "Will & Grace," Jordan also appeared in "American Horror Story," "The Help," "Ski Patrol" and TV shows including "Murphy Brown," "Ugly Betty," and "Boston Public."

While Jordan isn't famous for his time in Nashville, he made the most of his run in Music City. Meeting Parton was at the top of his to-do list, and he got to check it off. He begged their mutual friend Steve Summers to make it happen.

"I said, 'Please let me meet Dolly. Please,'" Jordan told Dave Cobb Southern Accents Radio on Apple Music Country.

Summers told him, "Well, when the time is right, it'll happen."

Unfortunately, the time came when Jordan was recording with Tucker. Summers called and said Parton was at the studio, and Jordan could come over. The comedian dropped Tucker like a hot potato.

It was the pandemic's peak, so when Jordan arrived at the studio to see Parton, he couldn't hug her or remove his mask, but they bonded anyway.

"We sat down and glommed onto one another and didn't shut up for about an hour," he said. "And people say to me, 'Well, what's she like?' Well, you know exactly what she's like. You know exactly. Dolly is Dolly. And I now get up in the morning, and I say to myself, if I have a problem, 'Well, what would Dolly do?'"

As news of his passing got out, the country music community started to react.

"Rest in peace you sweet sweet man," wrote Brothers Osborne. "You left a fullness in people’s hearts, a smile on their faces, and joy in their souls. We’ll meet again in the sweet by and by, Leslie."

Lady A's Hillary Scott wrote:  "I first met Leslie when I got the opportunity to interview him(I was SO nervous bc he was my first ever interview!) on @applemusic Country Faith Radio. We talked about his gospel album and his gospel roots. We also learned of just how much we had in common. We are both Tennesseans, I’m a twin mom, he has twin sisters, a love of old hymns, and there was much more…most importantly a faith in God that poured out of him in our time together. We had lunch after we chatted over FaceTime and it was a JOY to spend those few hours with him. If you followed Leslie on Instagram over the pandemic you know that there is arguably no one who was a brighter more comedic light in such an unsteady and scary time. Not to mention his incredible talent that he lended to film and tv for so many years. Goodness gracious I’m sad. Lord be near his family and friends and give them comfort. 💔"

And Kat & Alex called him "one of the kindest souls we've ever met."

"You treated everyone you came across like family," they said.

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