New York (CNN) Anthony Bourdain, the chef and gifted storyteller who took TV viewers around the world to explore culture, cuisine and the human condition for nearly two decades, has died. He was 61.
CNN confirmed Bourdain's death on Friday and said the cause of death was suicide.
Bourdain was in France working on an upcoming episode of his award-winning CNN series, "Parts Unknown." His close friend Eric Ripert, the French chef, found Bourdain unresponsive in his hotel room Friday morning.
Anthony Bourdain on January 4, 2017, in Port of Spain, Trinidad
"It is with extraordinary sadness we can confirm the death of our friend and colleague, Anthony Bourdain," the network said in a statement Friday morning. "His love of great adventure, new friends, fine food and drink and the remarkable stories of the world made him a unique storyteller.
Asking for help The suicide rate in the United States has seen sharp increases in recent years. Studies have shown that the risk of suicide declines sharply when people call the national suicide hotline: 1-800-273-TALK. There is also a crisis text line. For crisis support in Spanish, call 1-888-628-9454. The lines are staffed by a mix of paid professionals and unpaid volunteers trained in crisis and suicide intervention. The confidential environment, the 24-hour accessibility, a caller's ability to hang up at any time and the person-centered care have helped its success, advocates say.
The International Association for Suicide Prevention and Befrienders Worldwide also provide contact information for crisis centers around the world.
"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."
(CNN) News of Anthony Bourdain's death shook people around the world on Friday morning. Many took to Twitter to express sadness, heartbreak and to honor the life of the storyteller and chef.
"Stunned and saddened by the loss of Anthony Bourdain," said fellow chef Gordon Ramsay. "He brought the world into our homes and inspired so many people to explore cultures and cities through their food."
Stunned and saddened by the loss of Anthony Bourdain. He brought the world into our homes and inspired so many people to explore cultures and cities through their food. Remember that help is a phone call away US:1-800-273-TALK UK: 116 123 — Gordon Ramsay (@GordonRamsay) June 8, 2018
Bourdain was a "great explorer and brilliant storyteller," said chef Yotam Ottolenghi on Instagram. "A huge loss of a person who shaped and changed the way we write about food."
Andrew Zimmern, another chef and TV host, said the news was heartbreaking. "Tony was a symphony. I wish everyone could have seen all of him. A true friend."
A piece of my heart is truly broken this morning. And the irony, the sad cruel irony is that the last year he'd never been happier. The rest of my heart aches for the 3 amazing women he left behind.
Tony was a symphony. I wish everyone could have seen all of him. A true friend. — Andrew Zimmern (@andrewzimmern) June 8, 2018
"Anthony. One of my idols," wrote Chrissy Teigen. "Unapologetic, passionate and one of the best storytellers on the planet. Thank you for making food so exciting. And always standing up for everything right. ... Be at peace now :("
Anthony. One of my idols. Unapologetic, passionate and one of the best storytellers on the planet. Thank you for making food so exciting. And always standing up for everything right. Horrible. Why why why. Be at peace now :( — christine teigen (@chrissyteigen) June 8, 2018
Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Anthony Bourdain in New York City in April
US celebrity chef and television personality Anthony Bourdain has been found dead in his hotel room, aged 61, of a suspected suicide, CNN reports.
The culinary enfant terrible was in Strasbourg, France, working on a shoot for his series, Parts Unknown, on CNN.
"It is with extraordinary sadness we can confirm the death of our friend and colleague, Anthony Bourdain," the cable network said in a statement on Friday.
Bourdain was a best-selling food, fiction and nonfiction author.
When Bourdain and Obama shared a $6-meal
Image copyright Pete Souza Image caption Former President Barack Obama sits down for a meal with Anthony Bourdain at a restaurant in Hanoi, Vietnam, in May 2016
CNN's statement continued: "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."
He shot to fame in 2000 with a best-selling book called Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly, a behind-the-scenes expose on the world of haute cuisine.
In the book he wrote candidly about his abuse of drugs, including cocaine, heroin and LSD.
Bourdain travelled more than 250 days of the year to film his show, he told the Wall Street Journal in March.
Image copyright AFP Image caption Anthony Bourdain was romantically linked with Italian actress Asia Argento
His first TV show was A Cook's Tour on the Food Network in 2002. Three years later he joined the Travel Channel with Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations, picking up two Emmy Awards.
He moved to CNN in 2013 with a new travel and food show, Parts Unknown, which is in its 11th season.
He grew up in Leonia, New Jersey, an affluent suburb of New York City.
His father was a Yale-educated record executive, and his mother worked as a copy editor at the New York Times.
Anthony Bourdain's wit and wisdom
"Travel changes you. As you move through this life and this world you change things slightly, you leave marks behind, however small. And in return, life - and travel - leaves marks on you. Most of the time, those marks - on your body or on your heart - are beautiful. Often, though, they hurt.""
"Your body is not a temple, it's an amusement park. Enjoy the ride."
"Maybe that's enlightenment enough: to know that there is no final resting place of the mind; no moment of smug clarity. Perhaps wisdom is realising how small I am, and unwise, and how far I have yet to go."
"Skills can be taught. Character you either have or you don't have."
"Assume the worst. About everybody. But don't let this poisoned outlook affect your job performance. Let it all roll off your back. Ignore it."
He began writing after a former university roommate offered him a free holiday to Cozumel, Mexico, if he promised he would write a book after he returned.
Less than six months after the 1993 trip, he penned his first work of fiction - a satirical crime novel Bone in the Throat - while working as a chef at Sullivan's on New York City's Broadway Avenue.
"My cooks view my writing career with suspicion," he told the New York Times in 1997, before finding fame. "It isn't tangible. There's something a little shady about it."
Bourdain was married twice, first to his high-school sweetheart Nancy Putkoski in 1985. They divorced after 20 years.
Two years later he married mixed martial artist Ottavia Busia and they had a daughter, Ariane, born in 2007.
They divorced in 2016, a split he blamed partly on his constant travel for work.
Last year Bourdain was romantically linked with Italian actress Asia Argento and they were in a relationship.
He became an outspoken advocate for the #MeToo movement after Argento accused former Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein of rape.
Bourdian's death comes days after the suicide of another much-loved celebrity, 55-year-old fashion designer Kate Spade, in New York.
On Thursday, US government health officials said US suicides had risen by 30% since 1999, and that the crisis presented a growing problem. Nearly 45,000 Americans died by suicide in 2016.
US President Donald Trump said as he left the White House for the G7 summit: "I want to extend to his family my heartfelt condolences."
"That was a shock when I woke up this morning: Anthony Bourdain is dead! I enjoyed his show, he was quite a character."
He added that he also wished to give condolences to the family of Kate Spade.
Tributes have been pouring in from fellow foodies, celebrities, entertainers, and broadcasters.
Skip Twitter post by @Nigella_Lawson Heartbroken to hear about Tony Bourdain’s death. Unbearable for his family and girlfriend. Am going off twitter for a while — Nigella Lawson (@Nigella_Lawson) June 8, 2018 Report
Skip Twitter post by @megynkelly Incredibly sad news about Anthony Bourdain. Sending such love to his family, including his CNN family, who must be hurting terribly today. If you or someone you know may be considering suicide, please remember, help is right here: Nat’l Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255 — Megyn Kelly (@megynkelly) June 8, 2018 Report
Skip Twitter post by @jaketapper This is so awful.
Anthony Bourdain, 61, has died. He took his own life.
He was in France working on an upcoming episode of his award-winning CNN series. His close friend Eric Ripert, the French chef, found Bourdain unresponsive in his hotel room Friday morning. — Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) June 8, 2018 Report
Skip Twitter post by @hodgman I ate with Bourdain. Probably 2004. He was big even then but he took time to sit with me in Chinatown to talk “weird” food for a magazine piece I was writing. He taught me that our “weird” is the world’s delicious. We ate chicken feet. The afternoon vibrated with life. RIP — John Hodgman (@hodgman) June 8, 2018 Report
Skip Twitter post by @chrissyteigen Anthony. One of my idols. Unapologetic, passionate and one of the best storytellers on the planet. Thank you for making food so exciting. And always standing up for everything right. Horrible. Why why why. Be at peace now :( — christine teigen (@chrissyteigen) June 8, 2018 Report
Where to get help
From Canada or US: If you're in an emergency, please call 911
You can contact the US National Suicide Prevention Lifeline on 1-800-273-8255 or the Crisis Test Line by texting HOME to 741741
Young people in need of help can call Kids Help Phone on 1-800-668-6868
If you are in the UK, you can call the Samaritans on 116123
For support and more information on emotional distress, click here.
CNN, which aired Bourdain’s show Parts Unknown, confirmed his death and said the cause was suicide
The TV chef Anthony Bourdain has died at the age of 61.
The cable news network CNN, which hosted Bourdain’s globetrotting culinary travel guide Parts Unknown, confirmed Bourdain’s death on Friday and said the cause of death was suicide.
“It is with extraordinary sadness we can confirm the death of our friend and colleague, Anthony Bourdain,” the network said in a statement on Friday morning.
Anthony Bourdain - a life in pictures Read more
“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.”
Bourdain was understood to have been in France working on an upcoming episode of his award-winning CNN series. His friend Eric Ripert, the French chef, found Bourdain unresponsive in his hotel room.
British celebrity chef Nigella Lawson tweeted: “Heartbroken to hear about Tony Bourdain’s death. Unbearable for his family and girlfriend. Am going off twitter for a while.”
Bourdain was one of cooking’s leading storytellers and authored several books, including Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly and Medium Raw: A Bloody Valentine to the World of Food and the People Who Cook.
In his series, he could be found drinking beer with Barack Obama in Hanoi or hanging out with Iggy Pop in Miami.
“I’m proud of the fact that I’ve had as dining companions over the years everybody from Hezbollah supporters, communist functionaries, anti-Putin activists, cowboys, stoners, Christian militia leaders, feminists, Palestinians and Israeli settlers, to Ted Nugent,” he once explained.
“You like food and are reasonably nice at the table? You show me hospitality when I travel? I will sit down with you and break bread.”
Facebook Twitter Pinterest Anthony Bourdain at Parts Unknown Last Bite, a live CNN talk show, in Las Vegas, Nevada on 10 November 2013. Photograph: Isaac Brekken/WireImage
Bourdain’s CNN colleague and friend, Christiane Amanpour, said: “My heart breaks for Tony Bourdain. May he rest in peace now. He was a friend, a collaborator, and family. A huge personality, a giant talent, a unique voice and deeply, deeply human. My heart goes out to his daughter and family, and his longtime partners and friends at ZPZ [Zero Point Zero productions].”
Bourdain cultivated an image as a “culinary bad boy”, and delighted in eating from the extreme end of food spectrum, whether sheep’s testicles in Morocco or raw seal eyeball in the Arctic. Besides a chicken McNugget, he said the most disgusting thing he’d ever consumed was unwashed warthog anus.
Bourdain was heralded for his informal role as an ambassador to American television audiences for the rest of of the world.
Civil rights activist Imraan Siddiqi, a director at the Council on American-Islamic Relations Arizona branch, hailed Bourdain’s representation of the Middle East.
“In this age of Islamophobia and otherization of Muslims through media, Anthony Bourdain used his platform to humanize Muslims through culture and food - something I, and many others always appreciated,” Siddiqi wrote on Twitter. “He opened the world’s eyes to places like Gaza, Lebanon, Sub-Saharan Africa - and so many others that only appear in our newsfeeds as caricatures and soundbytes. Bourdain added the much-needed depth that the world was lacking.”
Anthony Bourdain 'made food writing muscular and kinetic' | Jay Rayner Read more
Julián Ventura, the ambassador of Mexico to the United Kingdom, praised Bourdain on Twitter as “one of the greatest, most knowledgeable Ambassadors of Mexican food and an uncompromising defender of the contributions of Mexican migrants to the US”.
In the past year, Bourdain was also a passionate advocate for the #MeToo movement, which had been energized in part by his girlfriend Asia Argento, one of the first actors to publicly accuse Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein of rape.
Bourdain championed women coming forward with accusations against high-profile men, attacked those they accused and reflected on his own role in perpetuating this sort of behavior. “I mean, I became a leading figure in a very old, very oppressive system, so I could hardly blame anyone for looking at me as somebody who’s not going to be particularly sympathetic,” he told Slate last year.
Bourdain was candid about his history of drug use. He said he had also smoked cigarettes and drunk alcohol to excess.
Facebook Twitter Pinterest Anthony Bourdain outside French bistro Les Halles in New York in June 2000. Photograph: DAVID RENTAS/REX/Shutterstock
“We were high all the time, sneaking off to the walk-in refrigerator at every opportunity to ‘conceptualize’. Hardly a decision was made without drugs,” he wrote in Kitchen Confidential.
In 1999 he wrote a New Yorker article, Don’t Eat Before Reading This, that became Kitchen Confidential. Those stories were largely based on his years working at Les Halles, a French bistro on Manhattan’s Park Avenue South. He delighted in the shocking or unhygienic aspects of the chef’s trade.
In 2013, while accepting a Peabody award, Bourdain described how he approached his work.
“We ask very simple questions: What makes you happy? What do you eat? What do you like to cook? And everywhere in the world we go and ask these very simple questions,” he said, “we tend to get some really astonishing answers.”
Astronaut Scott Kelly wrote on Twitter: “I watched his show when I was in space. It made me feel more connected to the planet, its people and cultures and made my time there more palatable. He inspired me to see the world up close.”
In the UK, Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org. In the US, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255. In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. Other international suicide helplines can be found at www.befrienders.org.
