Played by Leslie Jordan

Bernard Ferrion first appeared in 1x11 [Schmidt Happens]. He had been living with his mother, but his life with her had not been a happy one; she was constantly berating him, saying that he didn't earn enough money and that he was weak. Bernard was made to feel like a complete failure, which culminated in him killing her in a fit of rage by hitting her over the head with a skillet.

Arrested for her murder, he was released due to lack of evidence, and promised Alan Shore that he would use his freedom as an opportunity to create a life for himself free from his mother's overbearing influence.

This opportunity did not last long, however, and he reappeared in 1x12 [From Whence We Came] after killing his neighbor, again with a skillet, because he was convinced that she knew the role he had played in his mother's death. When the police wanted to question him he sought Alan Shore's help but Alan, devastated at Bernard's betrayal, refused to represent him and handed him over to Tara Wilson. The police obtained a DNA sample but Ferrion was not arrested, due again to lack of evidence.

Even so, Bernard wanted to go to trial in an attempt to "clear his name", but Tara told him the idea of going to trial when there was no evidence against him was nonsensical and sent him away. She later hypothesized to Alan that Bernard wanted to be arrested because he was so lonely and needed the attention.

Despite Alan's warnings, Ferrion was befriended by Catherine Piper in 1x15 [Tortured Souls]. While having dinner in Bernard's kitchen in 2x02 [Schadenfreude], the two were discussing the high-profile trial of Kelly Nolan when Bernard confided that he daydreams of killing again, saying that the act of taking a life felt 'godlike'.

Catherine was worried about Bernard's fantasies and went to the police, but without any evidence they were unable to make an arrest. Catherine tried to break off the friendship but relented when Bernard begged her to stay in his life. However, he continued to speculate on having a taste for killing, and Catherine killed him using his own modus operandi.

Leslie Jordan

Leslie Jordan has had an extensive television and film career, including appearances in Ally McBeal, Boston Public, Judging Amy and Will & Grace, for which he won the 2006 Emmy Award for Guest Actor in a Comedy Series. He is also starring in his own one man show entitled Like a Dog on Linoleum, which is currently on hiatus due to his busy schedule.

Leslie Jordan's website
Leslie Jordan at the Internet Movie Database
Leslie Jordan at WikiPedia

Episode appearances:
1x11 [Schmidt Happens]
1x12 [From Whence We Came]
1x15 [Tortured Souls]
2x01 [The Black Widow]
2x02 [Schadenfreude]