Leslie Jordan​ Was On His Way To 'Call Me Kat' Set When He Died

LOS ANGELES, CA — Comedic actor Leslie Jordan was on his way to the set of "Call me Kat" when he died while driving in Hollywood this week, it was reported Wednesday.

The actor, who had a recurring role in the Mayim Bialik show, was on his way to the Burbank set when he died, according to TMZ. The cast and crew grew worried when he didn't show up more than an hour after his call time, and that's when they discovered he died while driving his BMW to work.

TMZ reported that Jordan had been complaining of shortness of breath in the weeks before he died, fanning speculation that a medical emergency caused him to crash his car into a building as he drove to work Monday.

The cause of death for popular actor and comedian Leslie Jordan, who died after the car he was driving crashed into a wall in Hollywood, has been listed by the coroner's office as "deferred pending additional investigation," officials said Wednesday.

It was not immediately clear whether Jordan was killed in the crash or suffered a medical emergency beforehand.

Jordan, 67, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash, which occurred at about 9:30 a.m. Monday near Cahuenga Boulevard and Romaine Street. Fans quickly created a makeshift memorial with flowers and candles at the intersection.

A law enforcement source told the Los Angeles Times that the condition of the vehicle suggested Jordan lost control of the car.

According to The Times, black skid marks from Cahuenga Boulevard led over the curb and onto the sidewalk where Jordan's BMW struck a building's metal facade and dented it.

His co-stars continued to share their grief and memories of Jordan Wednesday.

"They broke the mold when they made Leslie Jordan. He was a dear mentor and a beloved friend. I will miss him so much - it’s unimaginable that he’s gone," costar Mayim Bialik tweeted. "Rest well, sweet buddy."

Openly gay and an LGBTQ icon, the 4-foot-11 Jordan was known for his roles on "Will and Grace," for which he won a Primetime Emmy in 2006, and "Call Me Kat," which premiered in January 2021. He also was featured on the TV shows "The Cool Kids" and "American Horror Story" and acted in movies, including "The Help" and "Ski Patrol."

Jordan became a social media sensation during the early days of the coronavirus pandemic, posting humorous videos while in quarantine in his native Tennessee, riffing on music, sometimes dancing, and telling stories about his acting career.

As news of his death circulated Monday, fans created a makeshift memorial at the intersection. Joey Wiser and Felipe Araipa dropped by on their way home. Both grew up watching Jordan on "Will & Grace" and were among the millions who enjoyed his amusing pandemic dispatches on Instagram.

"I think it brought a lot of us together in a time when we were not sure what was going on," Wiser told The Times.

Chloe Phoenix, who drove to the site with her mother, Jessie, and sister Jazmine, pulled out her phone and grinned while watching one of Jordan's viral videos, where he spins with a baton in hand and yells, "Daddy, watch me twirl!"

The sisters said they admired how Jordan represented the LGBTQ community. Their mother said Jazmine was in tears after learning about his death.

"Not a lot of celebrities touch you in that way," Jessie Phoenix said after the family lit a prayer candle alongside flowers. "This was a total crush for us."

City News Service and Patch Staffer Paige Austin contributed to this report.