'He belonged to all of us': Leslie Jordan's ‘Sordid Lives’ costars fondly remember him at impromptu memorial
PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA: Leslie Jordan was fondly remembered by his co-stars during the 22nd anniversary celebration of the movie, ‘Sordid Lives’. The late actor portrayed the character of ‘Brother Boy’ in the 1996 play that was eventually transformed into a film in 2000, a television series in 2008 and a sequel ‘A Very Sordid Wedding’ in 2017.
At a function at the Camelot Theater on Saturday, October 29, writer/director Del Shores said, as reported by PEOPLE, “We're not so great, but we're here, and y'all make everything better. It's been a sad week for us. There was a discussion for a while that we were gonna cancel because I was just so 'tore up,' as we say in the South, over Leslie's death.”
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He added, “He brought so much joy into my life. He made my life and my career a better place, and I know he did to all of you and millions and millions of people. We love you Leslie!”
Producer/star Emerson Collins stated, “It's been an interesting week. As people have been remembering, it's been challenging to put those into words. And then as this became an impromptu memorial service of sorts, we figured there was no better way than to kick it off than with a special message in song by Rosemary and Newell Alexander.”
Alexander and Newell paid tribute to Jordan as they reportedly said, “Leslie would do anything to get a laugh, 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 hymn with you,” before sharing a four-letter-word-laden take by John R Butler on a church song, ‘The Hand of the Almighty’.
Collins got emotional backstage as well as the 37-year-old said, “It's a very special night. That we already had this planned just seemed somehow magically appropriate, that the work that we are doing, that [Del and Leslie] made together, that we are making this possible for new LGBTQ+ writers seems like a lovely honoring of Del and Leslie's muse and writer relationship. So it's really special to have a full house of people who really love this piece to laugh and cry and celebrate together. He belonged to all of us.”
The ‘Call Me Kat’ star died on October 24 in a car accident after reportedly having a health emergency. Following his death, a message was posted on his official Instagram account that read, “The love and light that Leslie shared will never go out and we invite you to share your memories and comfort each other during this time. In the coming days we will be giving a glimpse of a project Leslie was really proud of and was looking forward to sharing with the world.”
Soon after that, Country legend Dolly Parton issued a statement, stating, “Well I am as hurt and shocked as if I have lost a family member. 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.”