Kyla Pratt was unable to even bring up the subject after his co-star Leslie Jordan passed away unexpectedly.
In the immediate wake of Leslie’s untimely demise, the actress acknowledged “it was tough to discuss” the loss of the actor, who passed away in a car accident on October 24 at the age of 67. Kyla was overcome with adoration for her deceased buddy as she had some time to recover and think.
“I think of Leslie and I just think of joy,” she exclusively told the news. “I think of happiness. He was absolutely the person that he showed the world that he was. There was not a day where Leslie Jordan had an attitude or was mad about something.”
Kyla agreed that Leslie was “an incredible storyteller,” but she made a joke about how there were some things she couldn’t repeat. Though they were more than just coworkers, Kyla emphasized that Leslie’s connection to the Call Me Kat cast went much deeper. This connection is still felt as the sitcom tries to continue without him.
“He didn’t really have family out here on the west coast and I like to think of us as a work family,” Kyla said. “It’s just very, very hard. It’s weird to not have him there.”
During the third season of the Fox sitcom, Kyla (Mayim Bialik’s business partner) decided to commemorate Leslie in her own unique way—one that would almost certainly make Leslie laugh.
“I’m dealing with it by saying, ‘Oh, he’s just not here this week!’” she said. “I heard ‘Well, s–t’ on so many occasions. Just the things that would come out of his mouth. I’d be like, ‘Leslie, you can’t say that!’ But actually, he could. Only Leslie Jordan could say certain sentences that anybody else would be arrested for or condemned for.”
After all, Kyla asserts, “In my mind, I can hear him saying, ‘Bitch, you better get it together,’” knowing Leslie wouldn’t want her to dwell in his memories.
When it comes down to it, Kyla is simply appreciative of the chance to contribute to preserving his memory, as she states, “I’m happy that I’m allowed to talk about him now.”
