The Leslie Jordan Interview.

February 27, 2013

Charming Hollywood raconteur and Emmy award-winning actor Leslie Jordan rolls out hilarious anecdotes as easily in real life as his effeminate character Beverly Leslie would spit venomous one-liners at arch nemesis Karen Walker in Will and Grace. This March he brings his one-man show to London, shining a spotlight on his southern upbringing and Hollywood experiences. Jason Reid had the pleasure of interviewing him as he kicked back on vacation in Mexico.

Jason: It’s lovely to speak to you, all the way from sunny Mexico. How is it there?

Leslie: Well, this is my first trip to Peurto Vallatra and who knew it was such a gay mecca? I thought I knew all the gay hotspots, but this is the best of them all, honey. I’m looking out of the window; the ocean is so blue and there’s all these beautiful Latin boys going by.

I’m so jealous…

Oh down here they’ve all got wives and children and they need diaper money. I’m not above putting a few dollars out, you know, at my age. I like them real young and pretty.

Celebrity life sure has its perks. What do you think of modern day ‘celebrities’ that rise to fame overnight, such as the Kardashians?

Leslie Jordan: Well, I don’t know those girls, but I came up the hard way and I really earned it. I’ve been in the business for thirty years and I have a degree in theatre. I saw Kim Kardashian’s sex tape years ago, before they cleaned her up a bit. She was kinda hairy, like an Armenian man [laughs]. But let me tell you honey, she knew her way around a black cock! But really, you have to worry that this is someone our young girls are emulating.

Jason Reid: Would you ever do a reality show?

Leslie Jordan: I nearly did! I made a real bad judgement once. My manager approached the girl who runs Dancing with the Stars, thinking I’d be a shoe-in. We chose that show because it’s reputable and wouldn’t have affected my acting jobs negatively. I’d also seen how Kathy Griffin, who I started out with, had benefited from doing a reality show. Turns out the girl didn’t know me! [laughs]. I don’t know if she was stupid or what? But really, I have no interest in those types of things. I’m a worker and I’m perfectly happy being that.

Do you think it’s harder for older actors in Hollywood?

Not really. I seem to get more parts the older I get, because the competition isn’t as stiff. I think being a character actor is advantageous, too. I want to be like Betty White – just trot me out in my 90s.

A lot of famous faces, especially in Hollywood, turn to plastic surgery to hold back the years. Have you, or would you, have any work done?

I haven’t had any done and I don’t really believe in it. Although I’ve often thought about having my neck done, but if I did I’d instruct the doctor not to touch my face whatsoever. Honey, I’m a character actor; everything has to move. I think people that do it to excess probably need to work on the inside a little more, instead of cutting themselves up. Have you ever seen anyone the day after a facelift? [squeaks]

I guess it’s personal choice. Do you think your height and sexuality have affected your career in any way?

I think maybe the height has affected it a bit, but I’ve definitely lost parts because I’m too campy. I just can’t play it straight. I am me. It’d be like putting Dolly Parton in a film and expecting her to play anything but Dolly. It just wouldn’t happen.

“I want to be like Betty White – just trot me out in my 90s.” – Leslie Jordan in interview.

How about relationships, Leslie. Any love in your life?

Oh, let me tell you something: I’m fifty-seven years old, I don’t have a partner and I don’t want a partner. The wonderful thing about hitting your fifties is realising prince charming is not gonna come along and sweep you off your feet. I tried relationships three times in my life but they all looked at me whilst walking out the door, saying, “Leslie, I love you honey, but it’s not all about you!” [laughs]

Sounds like me! So, tell us about the new show, ‘Fruit Fly’…

It’s an autobiographical show that explores the theory, ‘do gay men really become their mothers?’ I share how my relationship with my mother developed throughout my life, especially my childhood; and my coming out at the very early age of twelve, after she had let me play with dolls and dressed me up like Little Lord Fauntleroy for years. It’s storytelling, which I love to do. And the London audiences really understand storytelling as an art. I’m really proud of the show and I’m hoping it’s going to be a great success. I’m very excited.