Cheyenne Jackson Instagram – My heart is broken in half today. From the moment I saw him bellow the phrase “Karen Walker, I thought I smelled gin and regret” on Will & Grace… I was a forever fan. Then I was lucky enough to become his friend in real life. He was my mentor, my sober brother, and my unofficial comedy coach. (I paid him in compliments, not cash) He hated that we couldn’t tell naughty jokes on set anymore so we decided that we’d be each other’s blue material safe space. And no matter how filthy a joke would be that I’d tell him, he’d giggle and then tell me one 10 times dirtier. He was equal parts silly and serious, broad and subtle, and always ALWAYS kind. He was professional and soulful and heartbreakingly talented. We talked endlessly about old Hollywood lore, and he could walk better in heels than he could in new dress shoes.
There will no doubt be countless tributes to him in the days to come, as he touched so many peoples lives both in the recovery community and the queer community. He LOVED being famous and he loved being recognized. He’d smile his sly smile and with that trademark drawl say “Cheyenne I’m soooo faaamousss nowww!” And I was so happy for him. We all were.
Some say you remember people more for how they made you feel than what they actually said or did, and I can say that every time I saw him, acted with him, sang with him, or just sat with him, I felt happy and loved. My kids adored him. He loved them so much from the day they were born having had twin sisters of his own. He would FaceTime them on set and they would scream “LESLIIIEEEEE!”
Generous. That’s just who he was.
I love you friend. Here’s a filthy limerick for the road…
“There once was a man from Nantucket…” | Posted on 25/Oct/2022 04:18:38
