“I had a degree from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, where they said, 'Mr. Jordan, please learn to pronounce your degree.' 'Cause I said I have a degree in 'thee-a-ter.'”

American actor, comedian, writer, and singer

Leslie Jordan was an American actor, comedian, writer, and singer. Born in 1955 and active across stage, television, and social media, he was best known for his comic character work, especially as Beverley Leslie on Will & Grace. He also appeared in the American Horror Story franchise, The Cool Kids, Call Me Kat, and Hearts Afire. On stage, he played Earl “Brother Boy” Ingram in Sordid Lives, a role he later reprised in the film version. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he reached a large audience on Instagram, and in 2021 he published his memoir, How Y’all Doing? Misadventures and Mischief from a Life Well Lived.