Cheyenne Jackson Recalls the 'Devastating' Moment Leslie Jordan's “Call Me Kat” Cast Learned of His Death

Jackson, who costarred with the beloved character actor on 'Call Me Kat' and 'American Horror Story', tells PEOPLE about the "harrowing" moment when he learned his costar had died while driving to set

On the one-year anniversary of Leslie Jordan's unexpected death, his friends and costars continue to celebrate his larger-than-life presence while simultaneously making peace with his absence.

Jordan's Call Me Kat costar Cheyenne Jackson joined several of the beloved character actor's loved ones and fans over the weekend to celebrate the unveiling of his star on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars.

Related: Leslie Jordan's Best Roles, Funniest Videos and Inspiring Journey

The Grammy and Emmy nominee, 48, shared at the ceremony that he first came to know Jordan when he was "a young queer 20something-year-old in Idaho" watching Jordan's Emmy-winning turn as Beverly Leslie on Will & Grace. In a a pitch-perfect imitation, Jackson recounted, "I remember he burst through the door and said, 'Karen Walker, I thought I smelled gin and regret.' And I thought, God I hope I get to meet him one day."

Jackson continued, "And not only did I get to meet him, he became so dear to me — one of my very best friends. He was my sober buddy, so we knew each other in the AA rooms in West Hollywood, he was my comedy mentor and he was my dirty-mouthed little sidekick."

Jackson regaled Saturday's attendees with a few deliciously NSFW stories about his time costarring with Jordan in 2016's American Horror Story: Roanoke and, more recently, on three seasons of Call Me Kat, which premiered in January 2021.

But on Oct. 24, 2022, the Call Me Kat family received shocking news about Jordan, who had suffered a fatal cardiac dysfunction while driving to set.

"It was harrowing and devastating," Jackson, 48, tells PEOPLE of the moment he learned his friend had died.

"I was on the phone with my husband [Jason Landau], who went to his apartment to see if he was there. I was sitting in the hallway in Warner Bros. with Mayim [Bialik] when the news broke."

Related: Dolly Parton, Cardi B and More Pay Tribute to Leslie Jordan: 'Shocked as If I Have Lost a Family Member'

Bialik, 47, has also spoken about that day.

"We were all at work and waiting for him to show up," she told Jennifer Hudson this past April on the Oscar winner's talk show.

"We were all very close, and people knew Leslie Jordan as Leslie Jordan, not necessarily just as the character he played on our show," Bialik noted.

"He's been in people's lives, especially during COVID. He was in people's Instagram feeds," she added with a smile. "A lot of people really formed a real connection with him, and he loved that. He loved being approachable. He loved being loved."

Related: Leslie Jordan's Life in Photos

Call Me Kat paused production in the immediate aftermath of Jordan's death at 67 so the cast and crew could grieve.

"There aren't words to convey the loss we are experiencing as a cast and a Call Me Kat family," Bialik said in a statement at the time. "Leslie Jordan was larger than life. He was a Southern gentleman; tender, wise, naughty and hilarious. We got to know and love him at the height of his happiness and joy and it is inconceivable to imagine a world without our Leslie: the man who would spit on his contact lenses before putting them in his eyes, the man who had a story about every man in Hollywood and some of the women as well, the man who lived to make people laugh."

The statement concluded, "We will be taking time to grieve and to celebrate the many gifts Leslie gave to us and to the entire world and we appreciate privacy at this time."

In December, Jordan's character Phil received his farewell in the form of an off-screen wedding in Tahiti and a special end-of-episode tribute from longtime friend Dolly Parton. The next month, Fox announced that 30 Rock alum Jack McBrayer would joining the cast as Gideon, the new hire stepping in for Phil at the cat café owned by Bialik's title character.

Related: Watch Leslie Jordan's Moving 'Call Me Kat' Tribute: 'I'm a Big Believer in Celebrating Every Moment'

Shortly after the show was canceled in May, Bialik shared on Instagram her vision for a happy ending that resonated both on screen and off. "Decide the ending you want," she captioned cast photo, "but for me, here's where I think we all end up: Kat and Max live happily ever after, Randi [Kyla Pratt] and Carter [Julian Gant]  get married and do the same, and Sheila [Swoosie Kurtz] is forever in everyone's life bringing joy and wisdom. And Phil lives on forever."

"We made a lot of people laugh during COVID in ways that at first seemed impossible," she wrote. "But with this incredible cast – Cheyenne, Swoosie, Julian and Kyla - and, of course, with the late Leslie Jordan, all things that seemed impossible became possible."

As for Jackson, he told PEOPLE on Friday that he still carries many memories of Jordan — especially when he hears "filthy limericks, Dolly Parton and gospel music."

"He taught me to have fun. I can get very serious about my work," he shared, adding that Jordan taught him to "make the most of your time and laugh. And he told me to wear tighter pants."

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