Award-winning chef and reality TV star Anthony Bourdain has died at the age of 61 from an apparent suicide.
Multiple news outlets reported his death on Friday, with CNN confirming that the Parts Unknown star was found unresponsive in his hotel room in France by his friend, French chef Eric Ripert. He was reportedly in France working on an episode of ‘Parts Unknown’ at the time of his death.
Anthony was my best friend. An exceptional human being, so inspiring & generous. One of the great storytellers who connected w so many. I pray he is at peace from the bottom of my heart. My love & prayers are also w his family, friends and loved ones. pic.twitter.com/LbIeZK14ia
— Eric Ripert (@ericripert) June 8, 2018
“Anthony was my best friend,” Eric Ripert tweeted on Friday. “An exceptional human being, so inspiring & generous. One of the great storytellers who connected w so many. I pray he is at peace from the bottom of my heart. My love & prayers are also w his family, friends and loved ones.”
Anthony first got his start on reality TV in 2002, when he hosted the food and travel show A Cook’s Tour for The Food Network. In 2005, he became the host of his own travel and culinary adventure show, Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations, which ran for eight years until 2012. (He also starred on Travel Channel’s The Layover from 2011-2013.)
In 2013, he moved to CNN, where his travel/food show ‘Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown’ took viewers to lesser-known travel locations to explore the area’s culture and culinary offerings. The show’s eleventh season, which premiered at the end of April, is currently airing. The most-recent episode, which aired last Sunday, showed Anthony exploring Hong Kong.
After news of Anthony’s death broke, CNN issued a statement.
“It is with extraordinary sadness we can confirm the death of our friend and colleague, Anthony Bourdain,” the network said in a statement. “His love of great adventure, new friends, fine food and drink and the remarkable stories of the world made him a unique storyteller.
“His talents never ceased to amaze us and we will miss him very much. Our thoughts and prayers are with his daughter and family at this incredibly difficult time.”
On Friday, Travel Channel sent out a press release to announce that it will be running a tribute to Anthony on Sunday.
“As a tribute to Anthony Bourdain and his gift of sharing extraordinary places near and far, Travel Channel will air a 12-hour marathon of the Emmy Award-winning series “Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations” this Sunday, June 10 starting at 7:00 a.m. ET/PT,” the network stated. “Fans will have a chance to watch celebrated episodes of the series including where he introduces viewers to the picturesque landscapes, exotic cuisines, and the mysterious history of Laos; his epic journey to Spain’s Costa Brava to cook and dine at El Bulli, the “best restaurant in the world,” with chef Ferran Adria; and where he explores the food and people of the “two Maines.”
In addition to appearing on his own shows, Anthony made guest appearances on a variety of reality shows, including Top Chef, Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern and The Taste.
He leaves behind an 11-year-old daughter, Ariane, whom he shared with ex-wife Ottavia Busia. At the time of his death, Anthony was in a relationship with actress Asia Argento, whom he met while he was filming an episode of ‘Parts Unknown’ in Rome.
(Top photo courtesy of Travel Channel, other photos: Instagram, Twitter)
7 Responses
I loved Anthony Bourdain!
My siblings and I would always watch his shows. He was a phenomenal writer as well. We need more open-minded people like him in the world… People who are not afraid to explore, people who are not afraid to try new things, people who can appreciate different cultures no matter how different they are from their own… I’m so sad he had no outlets for his troubles and the darkness he was caught in… Anthony Bourdain, rest in peace.
I’m heartbroken by this as is my husband. Anthony seemed like an incredible man and I feel horrible that he thought this was what he needed to do. He was always supportive and so compassionate to everyone he met on his travels. He was a great supporter and advocate for so many women in the #metoo movement also. My heart aches for his daughter and family.
Please if you are feeling depressed seek help.
In the US:
National Suicide Prevention Lifelin
https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
1-800-273-8255
The Trevor Project
Confidential suicide hotline for LGBTQ youth.
1-866-488-7386
https://www.thetrevorproject.org
In Canada there is no central number but here are some regional ones:
Suicide Hotlines
Distress Centres Ontario
Ontario
Website: dcontario.org
(DCO) Distress Centre Niagara
Ontario
Hotline: +1 (905) 688 3711
Hotline: 905 734 1212/905 382 0689
Website: dcontario.org
(DCO) Telecare Distress Centre Brampton
Ontario
Hotline: +1 (905) 459 7777
Website: telecarebrampton.org
(DCO) Distress Centre Lanark, Leeds & Grenville
Ontario
Hotline: 1 800 465 4442
Website: dcontario.org
(DCO) Distress Centre Durham
Ontario
Hotline: +1 (905) 433-1121
Website: distresscentredurham.com
(DCO) Telecare Distress Centre Etobicoke
Ontario
Hotline: +1(416) 247-5426
Website: webhome.idirect.com/~tdce
(DCO) Distress Line Grey & Bruce
Ontario
Hotline: 1 888 371 8485
Website: dcontario.org
(DCO) Tel-Aide Jewish Distress Centre
Ontario
Hotline: ++ 1 (416) 636-9610
Website: dcontario.org
(DCO) Distress Centre Hamilton
Ontario
Hotline: ++ 1 (905) 525-8611
Website: dcontario.org
(DCO) Distress Centre London & District
Ontario
Hotline: +1 (519) 667-6711
Website: londondistresscentre.com
(DCO) North Halton Distress Centre
Ontario
Hotline: +1 (905) 877-1211
Website: dcontario.org
(DCO) Distress Centre Oakville
Ontario
Hotline: +1 (905) 849 4541
Website: distresscentreoakville.com/
(DCO) Distress Centre Ottawa & Region
Ontario
Hotline: +1 (613) 238 3311
Website: dcottawa.on.ca
(DCO) Tel-Aide Outaouais
Ontario
Hotline: +1 (613) 741 6433
Hotline: 1 800 567 9699
Website: tel-aide-outaouais.org
E-mail Helpline: plume@tel-aide-outaouais.org
(DCO) Distress Centre Peel
Ontario
Hotline: +1 (905) 278 7208
Website: distresscentrepeel.com
(DCO) Distress Centre Sarnia-Lambton
Ontario
Hotline: +1 (519) 336 3000
Website: familycounsellingcentre.ca/home.cfm
(DCO) Distress Centres of Toronto
Ontario
Hotline: +1 (416) 408 4357
Website: torontodistresscentre.com
(DCO) Distress Centre Waterloo Region
Ontario
Hotline: +1 (519) 745 1166
Website: cmhawrb.on.ca/distress.htm
(DCO) Distress Centre Wellington/Dufferin
Ontario
Hotline: +1 (519) 821 3760
Website: dc-wd.org
(DCO) Distress Centre Windsor/Essex
Ontario
Hotline: +1 (519) 256-5000
Website: dcwindsor.com
E-mail Helpline: support@dcwindsor.com
(DCO) Telephone Aid Line Kingston
Ontario
Hotline: +1 (613) 544 1771
Website: http://members.kingston.net/talk
Suicide Action Montreal
2345 est. rue Belanger
H2G 1C9
MONTREAL
Quebec
Hotline: (514) 723 4000
Website: suicideactionmontreal.qc.ca
Chimo Helpline Inc.
PO Box 1033
NB E3B 5C2
FREDERICTON
Contact by: – Phone
Hotline: Fredericton Area: 450-HELP (4357)
Hotline: Toll free provincial helpline: 1-800-667-5005
Distress Line of Southwestern Alberta (Canada)
426 – 6th Street South
T1J 2C9
Lethbridge
Alberta
Contact by: – Phone
Hotline: 403 327 7905
24 Hour service:
I wasn’t really a fan, but I am very sorry. No one should have to feel that desperate. My condolences to all of Mr. Bourdain’s friends, family, and colleagues.
So sad. Two suicides in one week….Kate Spade and now Anthony Bourdain. Looking from the outside, you think they have everything. But depression does not discriminate. I just feel so sad right now. Prayers go out to their loved ones.
Shit i meant to spell george. Im sure u guys figured it out tho.
This is very sad. The secound high profile suicide this week. Damn. He seemed like a genuine person no bs. His love of food and travel really resonated with me. I myself LOVE to cook and eat. The traveling part id like to do just dont have the money or time right now. He got through addiction but obviously not depression. Very sad. There is always hope even if u think there isnt. In the words of the late great geprge harrison. All things must pass. Dont ever give up hope. Prayers to his family and loved ones