Prior to his tragic death, Leslie Jordan took part in an interview with CBS.
The final interview was meant to be released next week, but in light of the tragedy, it was released this week.
And what he had to say has left fans heartbroken.
Scroll on for the full story.
Actor Leslie Jordan was best known for playing flamboyant characters throughout his career.
But it wasn’t always easy for the openly gay actor in the entertainment world.
Jordan was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee in 1955 (a very conservative state), and came out as gay to his mother at age twelve.
“I told my mother I thought something was up. I didn’t even know the word ‘gay,'” he revealed to PEOPLE in 2021.
“She didn’t pull her Bible out, which I thought she would,” he added.
“She said, ‘I’m just really afraid that if you choose this path, you’ll be ridiculed.'” He shared that she told him to “‘just live your life quietly.’ I didn’t follow her advice on that one.”
Jordan went on to graduate from the University of Tennessee in 1982 and immediately began his route to stardom.
He moved to Los Angeles, where he worked on a wide range of projects before scoring his breakout role in Murphy Brown.
His fame only grew from there…
And he later bagged the role of Beverley Leslie in the hit sitcom Will and Grace, which won him an Emmy.
He has gone on to appear in a variety of popular shows over the years, including American Horror Story and Star Trek: Voyager.
But it was during the pandemic that Jordan found his feet in the world of social media.
The star hit it off with the younger generation on Instagram when he began posting videos of himself in quarantine in his apartment.
Amazingly, he amassed a whopping 5.8 million followers on the app, using his catchphrase “How y’all doin?”
Millions would regularly watch his daily routines and keep up to date with his life in Chattanooga.
It was clearly a shock to Jordan.
In one video, he said of his newfound viral fame…
“A friend of mine called from California and said, ‘You have gone viral.’ And I said, ‘No, honey, I’m fine. I don’t have Covid,'”
In the past, Jordan has spoken candidly about his struggles with substance abuse.
Revealing that he was just fourteen when he started drinking.
He even recalled one time that he was put in a jail cell next to the Ironman star Robert Downey Jr…
Joking that he’s “partially responsible for his success.”
He spoke to CNN host Anderson Cooper about his battle with addiction, after finding sobriety in the ’90s.
“People say ‘Well how do you get sober, what’s the best way,'” Jordan said. “Yeah, well 120 days in the jailhouse in Los Angeles. That will sober you up.”
Since then, Jordan has taken on a variety of new ventures…
He recently released a gospel album called Company’s Comin’ featuring Dolly Parton.
And also wrote a memoir that came out in 2021, titled: How Y’all Doing?: Misadventures and Mischief from a Life Well Lived.
Sadly, his incredible life has been cut short.
It has been reported that Jordan died on Monday morning.
The news has shocked all those who knew and loved the star…
Fox Entertainment said in 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.”
His agent David Saul also gave a heartfelt statement: “The world is definitely a much darker place today without the love and light of Leslie Jordan.
“Not only was he a mega talent and joy to work with, but he provided an emotional sanctuary to the nation at one of its most difficult times.
“What he lacked in height he made up for in generosity and greatness as a son, brother, artist, comedian, partner and human being.
“Knowing that he has left the world at the height of both his professional and personal life is the only solace one can have today.”
Fellow Hollywood stars rushed to pay tribute to Jordan after hearing the news, with Sean Hayes writing: “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,” Hayes added. “There will never be anyone like him. A unique talent with an enormous, caring heart. You will be missed, my dear friend.”
George Takei tweeted: I am stunned at the death of Leslie Jordan, who delighted us with his many roles on television and film.
“Leslie, we are heartbroken at your loss and will miss your mirth and your inimitable spirit.”
RuPaul’s Drag Race — which Jordan appeared on as a judge — wrote: “Rest in peace, Leslie Jordan. Thank you for the countless laughs and for sharing your spirit with us all.”
Jackée Harry wrote: “Completely heartbroken. Leslie Jordan was a kind spirit and provided us with so many laughs. Rest peacefully, friend.”
His death comes as he allegedly suffered a medical emergency while driving…
As a result, the sixty-seven-year-old crashed into a building in Hollywood. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Fans are understandably devastated by the news…
And his last Instagram post, a day before he died, is heartbreaking.
In the post, he sang a segment of his new song.
He captioned the clip: “Sunday Mornin’ Hymn Singin’ with @dannymyrick. Danny helped me with a new original song that should be comin’ out real soon. Love. Light. Leslie.”
Our thoughts go out to all his family and friends during this difficult time.
You can see his post here.
CBS Mornings released one of Jordan’s final interviews, which was intended to be aired next week but was instead shared this week.
During the interview, Jordan mentioned how his long battle with addiction taught him that the best route to choose toward living a clean life was, as he described, “to be of service” to other people.
He said that doing so had brought him happiness.
Speaking with Anthony Mason, Jordan said: “The only thing that fame gives you is a platform.”
“And then you have to decide, am I gonna give or am I gonna take? And I want to give — I want to leave a mark in some ways – but I want to be of service.”
His journey towards sobriety after years of alcohol abuse had led him down that path.
The only way he figured to live a happy life was to give, and so he did.
“You know you learn that in recovery very early on, that the way in which to stay clean and to stay sober is to be of service to another, and that takes you out of yourself.
“I think that’s it that I want to live a life of service to other people, and that gives me happiness,” he said.
Rest in peace, Leslie Jordan.