'Everybody loved you': Dolly Parton pays touching musical tribute to Leslie Jordan on 'Call Me Kat'
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Country music legend Dolly Parton made a surpise appearance at the end of Thursday's (January 5) episode of sitcom 'Call Me Kat' to pay her respect to late star Leslie Jordan in an emotional video. Jordan was one of the primary stars of the Fox show, which suspended production after his death to give his family and friends time to grieve. Jordan passed away at age 67 in a car accident in late October, 2022. He portrayed Phil, the head baker at the cafe where Mayim Bialik's Kat works.
The 'Jolene' singer began her eulogy by singing a line from their song 'Where the Soul Never Dies', which appeared on Jordan's 2021 album 'Company's Comin'. "Usually at a memorial, people talk about somebody. Well, I'm going to talk to you, because there is that place on the other side, and I'm certainly going to see you there, little brother. You left a lot of people here with a lot of precious, precious memories. Everybody loved you, but I doubt many of them loved you more than I did," Parton said of the late actor and comedian.
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"I just want you to know that we all love you, we all miss you, and I bet you're having a big laugh over all of us being sad and sorrowful," Parton continued. "And I know that would be the last thing you would want us to be. You made us happy while you were here, and we're happy that you're at peace. I just want you to know that I will always love you. Goodbye, my sweet Leslie. See you over there."
On the sitcom, Jordan played a baker at the cat café owned by the title character essayed by Mayim Bialik.
Thursday's winter premiere ended with the show's main cast which includes Bialik, Cheyenne Jackson, Kyla Pratt, Julian Gant, and Swoosie Kurtz, addressing the crowd. "What we've done here is given Phil a happy ending. What we're really doing is mourning the loss of our dear friend, Leslie Jordan," Bialik said, per EW. "He is irreplaceable. We will miss him very much. Love, light, Leslie."
Parton's video tribute follows a heartfelt social media post from the day he died. "Well I am as hurt and shocked as if I have lost a family member," she wrote. "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."