Dolly Parton, Cardi B and More Pay Tribute to Leslie Jordan: 'Shocked as If I Have Lost a Family Member' (2024)

The entertainment industry is mourning the loss of Leslie Jordan, who died Monday at the age of 67.

Jordan's rep confirmed to PEOPLE died in a car crash in Hollywood, California, after an apparent medical emergency. The accident occurred at around 9:30 a.m. local time, according to the LAPD.

Jordan's fellow stars and those in Hollywood paid tribute to him on social media throughout the day after news of his death was announced.

Dolly Parton penned a heartbreaking tribute to Jordan Monday evening.

"Well I am as hurt and shocked as if I have lost a family member," began the country icon, 76. "Leslie and I had a special bond, I think the world felt they had a special bond with him. I know people always say, 'Oh, they will be missed' but in this case that could not be more true. He will be missed by everyone who knew him personally and by everyone who was entertained by him. Rest in peace lil' brother."

Jordan's Call Me Kat costar Mayim Bialik shared this statement with PEOPLE on behalf of the show's cast and crew: "There aren't words to convey the loss we are experiencing as a cast and a Call Me Kat family. Leslie Jordan was larger than life. He was a Southern gentleman; tender, wise, naughty and hilarious. We got to know and love him at the height of his happiness and joy and it is inconceivable to imagine a world without our Leslie: the man who would spit on his contact lenses before putting them in his eyes, the man who had a story about every man in Hollywood and some of the women as well, the man who lived to make people laugh. We will be taking time to grieve and to celebrate the many gifts Leslie gave to us and to the entire world and we appreciate privacy at this time."

The Real's Loni Love shared a tribute to Jordan and recalled how he inspired her, writing, "The last time I worked with Leslie Jordan… we guest co hosted The Talk.. Leslie was so much fun to be around, always had a funny story and he inspired me to keep going in an industry that could be ageist … I will miss you my friend.. Mama is waiting on you."

Lance Bass also remembered Jordan on social media following his death, sharing, "Legend is not a large enough word to describe Leslie Jordan. No one made me laugh harder. This one is heartbreaking. Rest well my friend."

Cardi B shared the news of Jordan's death, writing, "I love you" after his reaction to her and Megan Thee Stallion's "WAP" went viral in 2020.

Michelle Pfeiffer also paid tribute to the late star, sharing, "Just heard the devastating news of the beloved Leslie Jordan's passing. Leslie was such a light for so many. Generously gifting the world with his love and humor, especially during this lockdown; one of our bleakest and loneliest times."

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"He lived everyday to bring joy to every one he came in contact with," she continued. "Such a talent. Such an extraordinary human being. Such a loss. Rest well my friend."

Sean Hayes, who costarred with Jordan on , remembered the late star on Instagram.

"My heart is broken. Leslie Jordan was one of the funniest people I ever had the pleasure of working with. Everyone who ever met him, loved him," he shared alongside a photo of the him and Jordan. "There will never be anyone like him. A unique talent with an enormous, caring heart. Leslie, you will be missed, my dear friend. 😔❤️"

Eric McCormack paid tribute to his Will & Grace costar on Monday. "Lunch with my friend #LeslieJordan in London, 2014. RIP you sweet, hilarious man. We all adored you. 💔 #WillandGrace @seanhayes @therealdebramessing @maxmutchnick," he wrote alongside a photo of them sharing a meal together.

Dylan McDermott also remembered his American Horror Story costar, writing, "We lost a great one today. @thelesliejordan was a wonderful friend to me. Leslie and I met on American Horror Story and made each other laugh. We talked on the phone recently about doing another show together as twin brothers. He truly was my brother. Love you Leslie. I will miss you dearly…"

Wonder Woman star Lynda Carter shared her appreciation for Jordan's light-hearted pandemic videos. She wrote, "Leslie Jordan put a smile on the faces of so many, especially with his pandemic videos."

She continued, "What a feat to keep us all laughing and connected in such difficult times… It feels so cruel that this could happen to such a beautiful soul."

Oscar-winning screenwriter Dustin Lance Black remembered his late friend, writing, "My heart is breaking. Just learned that my brilliant old friend, LESLIE JORDAN, is no longer with us. Rest in peace my sweet southern sister. Your boundless joy will be deeply missed."

Meghan McCain also tweeted her condolences and looked back at the joy Jordan brought to audiences.

"There are not enough wonderful things to possibly say about Leslie Jordan in just a tweet," she shared. "I am so saddened by this -his social media particularly during Covid brought millions of people such joy as did his legacy career in entertainment. He was also just a kind, sweet lovely man."

Actress Jackée Harry shared that she was "completely heartbroken" by the loss of the beloved actor, adding, "Leslie Jordan was a kind spirit and provided us with so many laughs. Rest peacefully, friend."

In her tribute, Katie Couric said, "I'm heartbroken. I loved Leslie. He was such a doll...so fun and sweet and comforting. He will be so missed."

Glee alum Kevin McHale wrote, "Leslie Jordan was as talented and genuine as they come. What a ray of sunshine. This is just terrible."

Andy Cohen — who welcomed Jordan to Watch What Happens Live in 2021 — mourned the loss of the actor on his Instagram Story, sharing, "I'm taking to my Instagram Story to talk about Leslie Jordan since Instagram was his medium. I just think it's so sad. Who wants to live in a world without Leslie Jordan?"

"What a sweet, funny, life-affirming, wonderful ray of sunshine that Leslie Jordan was. Just to know him was to love him and to even follow him on Instagram was to love him. I was grateful to have had him on Watch What Happens Live and New Year's Eve with Anderson [Cooper]. I was just thinking we should get him back on this year."

Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Kyle Richards also remembered Jordan on her Instagram Story, sharing, "1955-2022 Leslie Jordan."

Actor George Takei also recalled spending time with the star before his death, sharing, "I'll always remember that wonderful day we spent together, Leslie, in a room filled with hilarity and I dare say LOTS of gaiety. You're gone too, too soon. Make 'em giggle in the great beyond."

"My heart is broken 💔 Leslie was was bigger than life and lit up any room you were lucky enough for him to be in," Queer Eye's Bobby Berk wrote on Instagram. "Rest is Power my friend."

Kim Fields also paid tribute to Jordan on social media, writing, "I can barely see through my tears to write this: i loved my dear friend so much; profound heartbreak and devastation has taken over all of me… well sh*t… #lesliejordan"

Leslie Grossman shared her condolences on Instagram alongside a photo of Jordan wearing a "Property of No One" T-shirt, sharing, "I love this picture of Leslie. It's exactly who he was. The most fun in the makeup trailer with the best stories and the biggest heart. A true joy to work with. Sending love to his people who loved him dearly."

Paul Reubens also recalled Jordan as "kind, generous, gentle and would quip stuff under his breath that was hilarious" when he appeared on a 1990 episode of Pee-wee's Playhouse after Reubens discovered him on an episode of Murphy Brown.

"He was so unique and funny. I loved him instantly. That was one of the greatest most magical super-powers belonging to Leslie—you fell in love with him as soon as you saw him and he spoke anything," he wrote in part on Instagram. "I was immediately so obsessed with his talent and ability that we wrote an episode for him on Pee-wee's Playhouse."

"Simply, there was no one even remotely like him. He was pure magic. RIP, Leslie," Reubens concluded.

Country duo Brothers Osborne also remembered their close friend following news of his death.

"Rest in peace you sweet sweet man. You left a fullness in people's hearts, a smile on their faces, and joy in their souls," they shared on Instagram. "We'll meet again in the sweet by and by, Leslie. @thelesliejordan"

TJ Osborne also shared his own tribute to Jordan on Instagram, writing, "Thank you for bringing us all so much joy, Leslie. We will meet again on that beautiful shore @thelesliejordan."

Country artist Tanya Tucker, who was featured on Jordan's song "When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder," shared a heartfelt message following his death.

"The laughter has died along with my funny funny friend, @thelesliejordan. I'm taking some time off the road in another country and I feel so far away on this very sad day," she wrote. "It's impossible to have any joy or laughter in a place where people come to do Just That. Smiles, cheerful beautiful memories, songs and dancing… Today there are none. Why do the ones we need the most to make us happy have to pass too soon? I don't understand!!!"

"With all the sadness, anger, division in this ol world right now. He was a bright light for all who was ever around him. We've lost, The worlds lost, his friends lost… And I lost today a great friend who made me smile and laugh even when I didn't want to," she added. "Loved all of the dinners together, singing When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder on his album with Leslie and he even came out to my show in Chattanooga too! The only good thing about this is that he is with his precious Mother who he adored and she adord [sic] him. Rest easy with her Leslie… I know God is laughing his crown off!!! 💔💐"

Charlie Worsham, who sang with Jordan at the Grand Ole Opry and appeared on his song "Working on a Building," paid tribute on social media, writing, "Leslie Jordan carried within him a powerful and holy light, and i believe that God put Leslie on this earth to use that light to open people's hearts and minds, because that's exactly what i witnessed every time i was in his presence."

"I can't believe he's gone, though i believe with all my spirit that the circle remains unbroken and that he's up in heaven right now, talking to Jesus and the angels, probably saying something like, 'well sh*t… what are y'all doin?,'" he continued. "Rest in peace, you sweet, generous, beautiful man."

Sara Evans called it "a sad sad day. I recently got to know Leslie and we became fast friends! He was so kind and funny and authentic! We had him as a guest on Closet Chaos and he couldn't have been more gracious and kind to us! He will be greatly missed!"

Lady A's Hillary Scott shared that she first met Jordan when she interviewed him "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."

She continued, "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. 💔"

Margo Price wrote that Jordan "radiated joy in a way that was so unique and pure. He was a light in a dark world and will be so missed."

Actress Sharon Stone shared a tribute to Jordan, posting an image Jordan shared of himself in Dec. 2021 and wrote "There will never be another you." Jordan previously captioned the image of himself as a child writing, "With my sunglasses upside down, a sweater from my daddy's alma mater Tennessee Tech and a tea kettle for a pocket book, I was ready! 'Where we going?' Happy New Year, y'all. "

The actors were longtime friends, with Jordan posting on Instagram in June 2021 about "the time he tried to steal Sharon Stone's beautiful bentley."

After the actor's death, Fox Entertainment released a statement: "We are shocked and devastated by today's tragic passing of Leslie Jordan. Leslie was far more than an Emmy Award winning comedic talent with whom we've laughed alongside for all these years. He was the kindest person you could ever imagine who simply lit up a room and brought pure joy and huge smiles to millions of people around the world. The truest of Southern Gentlemen, Leslie carried an infectious exuberance, indelible sense of humor and, throughout, gifted us with countless fond memories that will last forever. As we grieve this sad news, we also wish to extend our most profound sympathies to Leslie's family, friends and fans, whom he held so dear."

Warner Bros. Television also released a statement that the company was "devastated about the tragic and sudden loss of our dear friend Leslie Jordan. Leslie was an extraordinary person and talent. He brought joy to fans across the globe. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and fans at this time."