Leslie Jordan

Leslie Jordan

Jordan in 2007
Born Leslie Allen Jordan
(1955-04-29) April 29, 1955
Memphis, Tennessee, United States[1]
Occupation Actor, playwright
Years active 1986–present
Height 4 ft 11 in (1.50 m)[2]

Leslie Allen Jordan (born April 29, 1955) is an American actor and playwright from Chattanooga, Tennessee.[3]

Early life

Leslie was born in Memphis, Tennessee and later moved to Chattanooga, Tennessee.[2] Jordan has discussed his early life in Chattanooga, saying that he had a difficult time with religion growing up in the South and that he was baptized 17 times. Whenever the preacher would ask if anyone had sinned, Leslie would always think of something and come forward even when his mother thought he was overreacting about the situation.[4]

During an appearance on Today with Hoda Kotb and Kathie Lee Gifford, Jordan discussed his personal life and career. He described his mother, Peggy Ann, as being supportive and accepting though never truly understanding him. When asked about his mother he said that she was a very private woman and that she still lives in Chattanooga. Jordan's father was a lieutenant colonel in the United States Army and he died in a plane crash when Jordan was eleven.[2]

Jordan left Tennessee and arrived in Los Angeles in 1982. During this time he became involved with alcohol and other drugs and was arrested many times. When Jordan was seventeen years old, he started to write in journals every day. He said that writing in his journals helped him with recovering from drug and alcohol abuse.[5]

Jordan became involved in volunteer work. "Early on in the AIDS crisis, Jordan became involved in AIDS Project Los Angeles (APLA) as a buddy and as a food delivery person for Project Angel Food."[6]

Career

Jordan has made numerous appearances in both film and television. He is recognizable for his diminutive size and Southern drawl.[2] He appeared as a newspaper editor named Mr. Blackly in the popular movie, The Help.[7] He is best known for his television work, including guest appearances on Will & Grace, Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, Star Trek: Voyager, Caroline in the City, Reba, Boston Public, Boston Legal, Nash Bridges, American Horror Story and his secondary role on Hearts Afire. He guest-starred on the comedy-drama Ugly Betty as celebrity-trasher Quincy Combs. In 2007, Jordan starred as Jesse Joe in the short-lived CW television program Hidden Palms. He also portrayed the ski patrol director in Ski Patrol.

He is best known for his role as Karen's pretentious, sexually ambiguous rival Beverley Leslie on the series Will & Grace.[8] For that role he received an Emmy Award for Best Guest Actor in a Comedy Series at the 58th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards in 2006. Because Jordan won the award for Best Guest Actor in a Comedy Series, he was invited to present the awards for outstanding comedy writing and outstanding comedy directing at the 2006 Emmy Awards with Cloris Leachman a week later.[9]

Jordan starred in the pilot episode of Laugh Out, the world's first interactive, gay-themed comedy show.[8] On August 18, 2014, Jordan became a housemate in the celebrity edition of the British reality game show Big Brother. He was the second person to leave the Big Brother house (August 29, 2014). In January 2015, Jordan guest starred in the British sitcom Benidorm for two episodes as the character "Buck-A-Roo".

Jordan is an accomplished stage actor and playwright. In one of his best-known performances onstage, he played Earl "Brother Boy" Ingram in Sordid Lives, a role he took to the big screen in the popular cult film of the same name. Jordan reprised the role in the Sordid Lives: The Series, a televised spin-off of the movie airing on Logo where he plays a character that is in a mental hospital.[10] He wrote and starred in the autobiographical play Lost in the Pershing Point Hotel, which was also made into a motion picture. He recently toured the country performing his one-man stage comedy, Like a Dog on Linoleum, to generally favorable reviews.[11][12]

Jordan's first one-person show was called Hysterical Blindness and Other Southern Tragedies That Have Plagued My Life Thus Far.[6] Next, he distilled his experiences growing up as an effeminate tiny boy in the Southern United States and in show business into an autobiographical one-man show, My Trip Down the Pink Carpet. During the opening of My Trip Down the Pink Carpet, Jordan's microphone stopped working but he kept on with the show like nothing happened and his show was a success.[6] After touring the nation for several months with the production, the show opened off-Broadway at the Midtown Theater on April 19, 2010. The show is produced by Jordan's friend, actress Lily Tomlin. Jordan announced on The Paul O'Grady Show that he will be bringing his show to London's Apollo Theatre.

Credits

Writer

Stage

Filmography

Genre Year Title Role Notes
TV series 1986 Fall Guy, TheThe Fall Guy Malone
TV series 1986 Wizard, TheThe Wizard Jimmy
TV series 1987 CBS Summer Playhouse Worm
Film 1988 Frankenstein General Hospital Iggy
Film 1988 Moving Customer at Bar
TV series 1988 Night Court Irwin
TV series 1989 Midnight Caller Little Bob Johnson
TV series 1989 Murphy Brown Kyle
TV series 1989 Newhart L. Gardner
TV series 1989 People Next Door, TheThe People Next Door Truman Fipps 10 episodes
TV film 1989 Road Raiders, TheThe Road Raiders Whip uncredited
TV series 1990 American Dreamer Short
TV series 1990 Babes Clem
TV series 1990 Pee-wee's Playhouse Busby
Film 1990 Ski Patrol Murray
TV series 1990 Sugar and Spice Monsieur Jacques
TV series 1991 Top of the Heap Emmet Lefebvre 06 episodes
TV series 1992 Bodies of Evidence Lemar Samuels 16 episodes total
Film 1992 Hero Court Official
Film 1992 Missing Pieces Krause
TV series 1992 Perfect Strangers Rob Bob Phillips
TV series 1992 Reasonable Doubts Asst. Public Defender Clifford Sizemore
Marvin Sizemore 		16 episodes total
TV series 1993 Getting By Mr. Bergner
Film 1993 Jason Goes to Hell: The Final Friday Shelby
TV series 1993 Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Alan Morris / The Invisible Man
TV series 1993 Nurses Mr. Cooley Waits
TV series 1993 Reasonable Doubts Asst. Public Defender Clifford Sizemore 16 episodes total
TV series 1994 Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman William Wallace Webster Waldecker / Resplendant Man
TV series 1993 Hearts Afire Lonnie Garr 28 episodes total
TV series 1994 Hearts Afire Lonnie Garr 28 episodes total
Film 1995 Black Velvet Pantsuit Ernie
TV series 1995 Charlie Grace Darnell Sims
TV series 1995 Courthouse Mr. Barnes
TV series 1995 Hearts Afire Lonnie Garr 28 episodes total
Film 1996 Shoot the Moon
TV series 1996 Coach Blatt
TV series 1996 Star Trek: Voyager Kol Episode: "False Profits"
TV series 1996 Mr. & Mrs. Smith Earl Borden
TV series 1997 Arli$$ Skip Lloyd
TV series 1997 Pretender, TheThe Pretender Pat
Short film 1997 Two Weeks from Sunday 25 minutes
TV series 1997 Weird Science Boyd Butayne
TV series 1997 Wings Teddy Kolb
TV series 1998 Buddy Faro Frankie Delgado
TV series 1998 Caroline in the City Dr. Leslie
TV series 1998 Dharma & Greg Kenny
TV series 1998 Ellen Top Studio Executive
Film 1998 Goodbye Lover Homer
Short film 1998 Hamburger Helper Larry Lewis 22 minutes
TV series 1998 Maximum Bob Cletus Huntley
TV series 1998 Pacific Blue Bo Nyby
TV series 1999 Martial Law Horatio Hawkins
Film 1999 Eat Your Heart Out Director
TV series 2000 Any Day Now
TV series 2000 FreakyLinks Hotel Clerk
Film 2000 John John in the Sky Tot Dixon a.k.a. I'll Wave Back
Film 2000 Lost in the Pershing Point Hotel Storyteller writer (play; screenplay)
TV series 2000 Nash Bridges Walter Marley
TV series 2000 Sabrina, the Teenage Witch Chuck
TV series 2000 Son of the Beach Jordan 02 episodes total
Film 2000 Sordid Lives Earl "Brother Boy" Ingram
TV series 2000 Strip, TheThe Strip Gaston
TV series 2001 Ally McBeal Dr. Benjamin Harris
TV series 2001 Boston Public Dr. Benjamin Harris 05 episodes total
Film 2001 Gristle, TheThe Gristle Jake Bennett
TV series 2001 Will & Grace Beverley Leslie 11 episodes total
TV series 2002 Boston Public Dr. Benjamin Harris 05 episodes total
TV series 2002 Son of the Beach Jordan 02 episodes total
TV series 2002 Will & Grace Beverley Leslie 11 episodes total
Short film 2003 Farm Sluts Coroner 17 minutes
TV series 2003 Judging Amy Reginald Hoyt
Film 2003 Moving Alan Arthur
TV series 2003 Reba Terry 03 episodes total
Terry is the jeweler from the rings.
TV film 2003 Tracey Ullman in the Trailer Tales Rog Monroe
TV series 2003 Will & Grace Beverley Leslie 11 episodes total
TV series 2004 George Lopez Doctor
Animated film 2004 Home on the Range Additional Voice voice actor
Film 2004 Madhouse Dr. Morton
TV series 2004 Monk Town Official
TV series 2004 Reba Terry 03 episodes total
TV series 2004 Will & Grace Beverley Leslie 11 episodes total
Animated TV series 2005-2006 American Dad! Beauregard LaFontaine voice actor; 2 episodes total
TV series 2005 Boston Legal Bernard Ferrion 06 episodes
TV film 2005 Chasing Christmas PastPast
Short film 2005 Sissy Frenchfry Principal Principle 28 minutes
TV series 2005 Will & Grace Beverley Leslie 11 episodes total
TV series 2006 Will & Grace Beverley Leslie 11 episodes total
Short film 2007 Watch & Learn Martin 12 minutes
Film 2007 Undead or Alive: A Zombedy Padre
TV series 2007 Ugly Betty Quincy Combs Episode: "Punch Out"
TV series 2007 Hidden Palms Jesse Jo 05 episodes
TV series 2008 12 Miles of Bad Road Kenny Kingman 06 episodes
TV series 2008 Privileged Dale Dart
TV series 2008 Sordid Lives: The Series Earl "Brother Boy" Ingram 10 episodes
TV series 2008 Under the Pink Carpet Himself 02 episodes total
TV film 2009 Alligator Point
Film 2009 Eating Out 3: All You Can Eat Harry
Animated TV series 2009 Glenn Martin, DDS voice actor
Film 2010 Demonic Toys: Personal Demons Prof. Butterfield
Film 2010 Love Ranch Mr. Hainsworth
Film 2010 Leslie Jordon: My Trip Down The Pink Carpet Himself Stand Up
TV series 2011 Desperate Housewives Felix Bergman
Film 2011 Help, TheThe Help Mr. Blackly
Film 2011 Mangus! Bruce Jackson
Film 2009 Rockabilly Baby writer (play)
TV series 2011 Shake It Up Theodore Van Glorious
TV series 2011 Under the Pink Carpet Himself 02 episodes total
TV series 2012 DTLA Theatre Director
TV series 2012 Game, TheThe Game
Documentary 2012 Hollywood to Dollywood Himself
TV series 2012 Raising Hope Reverend Bob
TV series 2012 Secret Life of the American Teenager, TheThe Secret Life of the American Teenager
Short film 2012 Yahoo! News/Funny or Die GOP Presidential Online Internet Cyber Debate Ron Paul
TV series2013 American Horror Story: Coven Quentin Fleming 3 episodes total
TV series 2013 Baby Daddy Edwin the Mall Elf Episode: "Emma's First Christmas"
Film 2013 Southern Baptist Sissies Peanut
TV series 2013 RuPaul's Drag Race Himself Guest judge on Season 5, Episode 7
TV series 2013 Supernatural Yorkie
Mutt 		voice actor; 2 episodes
Film 2014 Lucky Dog Mr. Kaufman
TV series 2014 Partners Marion Phillips Episode: "Jurist Prudence"
TV series 2014 Celebrity Big Brother UK Himself Series 14, 12 episodes
TV series 2015 Benidorm Buck A. Roo Series 7, Episode 1 & 2
Film 2016 Fear, Inc. Judson
TV series 2016 American Horror Story: Roanoke Ashley Gilbert (reenactor of Cricket Marlowe) 3 episodes

References

  1. ↑ Biography at Leslie Jordan's official website
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Leslie Jordan Biography". TV.com.
  3. ↑ Leslie Jordan at the Internet Movie Database
  4. ↑ Middleton, Josh (12 March 2014). "GIRL TALK: Gossiping With Southern Baptist Sissies Star Leslie Jordan". Philly Magazine. Retrieved October 13, 2014.
  5. ↑ Duerst, Austin (16 October 2012). "Funnyman Leslie Jordan reflects on 'The Help', 'Will & Grace', 'Ski Patrol' and one-man comedy shows". isthmus.com. Retrieved 31 July 2015.
  6. 1 2 3 Freeman, Chris (2009). "Leslie Jordan: from small screen to big stage".
  7. ↑ "Emmy-Winner Leslie Jordan Headlines Tuesday Night Live May 15".
  8. 1 2 "Atlanta Entertainment Company to Produce Innovative, Interactive Gay-Themed Comedy Show". prnewswire.com (Press release). Atlanta. 2 May 2015. Retrieved 31 July 2015.
  9. ↑ Jordan, Leslie (2008). My Trip Down the Pink Carpet. Simon and Schuster.
  10. ↑ Parks, Tim (17 August 2006). "The 'Sordid Lives' of 'Southern Baptist Sissies". The Gay and Lesbian Times. Retrieved 2008-04-08.
  11. ↑ Nichols, David C. (15 October 2004). "'Dog on Linoleum' finds firm footing". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2 April 2014.
  12. ↑ Helbig, Jack (11 August 2005). "Like a Dog on Linoleum". Chicago Reader. Retrieved April 2, 2014.
  13. ↑ Drake, Sylvie (1 July 1986). "Stage Review : 'Found A Peanut' As Child's Play". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 31, 2013.

External links

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