New York (CNN) Anthony Bourdain, the gifted chef, storyteller and writer 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."
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 an apparent suicide.
The culinary bad boy was near 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.
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.
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
"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."
Authorities in France's Alsace region confirmed his death at Le Chambard luxury hotel in Kaysersberg, AFP reported, adding that no foul play was suspected.
His death comes days after the suicide of another much-loved celebrity, 55-year-old fashion designer Kate Spade, in New York.
US government health officials on Thursday said the nation's suicides had risen by 30% since 1999, and that the crisis was a growing problem. Nearly 45,000 Americans took their own lives in 2016.
Image copyright Le Chambard / Facebook Image caption Bourdain was staying at Le Chambard luxury hotel in Kaysersberg
Who was Anthony Bourdain?
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.
The globe-trotting foodie travelled more than 250 days of the year to film his show.
His work brought him to far-flung and often dangerous locations such as Libya, Lebanon, and Gaza.
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.
Image copyright Getty Images
His became so influential that even former President Obama sought his counsel as he prepared to leave the White House.
"If you have an important state function after you might not want to go too heavy on the garlic," Bourdain said as the two men grabbed a quick bite during a political summit in Vietnam.
He began writing after a former university roommate offered him a free holiday to Cozumel, Mexico, if he promised he would write a book when 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.
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."
What was his family life?
Bourdain 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.
Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption The BBC's Jonathan Head samples the noodle dish President Obama and Anthony Boudain ate in Vietnam
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 began a relationship with Italian actress Asia Argento, who directed an episode in which he visited Hong Kong.
He became an outspoken advocate for the #MeToo movement after Argento accused former Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein of rape.
Image copyright AFP Image caption Anthony Bourdain was romantically linked with Italian actress Asia Argento
What's the reaction?
Tributes poured in from foodies, celebrities, entertainers, and broadcasters - many of whom posted phone numbers for local suicide prevention hotlines.
Donald Trump said he was shocked by the death of Bourdain, who was a vocal critic of the current US president.
"I want to extend to his family my heartfelt condolences," Mr Trump said as he left the White House for the G7 summit, adding that Bourdain was "quite a character".
He also expressed his condolences to the family of Kate Spade.
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 @StationCDRKelly Just saw the sad news that Anthony Bourdain has died. 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. #RIPAnthonyBourdain pic.twitter.com/Cb6IfmzylN — Scott Kelly (@StationCDRKelly) June 8, 2018 Report
Skip Twitter post by @robdelaney ❤️A couple things I’ve written about my depression & how I’ve grappled with the urge to kill myself.
1. https://t.co/Nxz9b4VrPy
2. https://t.co/yPoMHbG9cp
In recovery suicide is often referred to as “a permanent solution to a temporary problem.”
We beat it *together*❤️ — rob delaney (@robdelaney) 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 @rosemcgowan Anthony I am so mad at you. You were so loved, the world is not better without you. I have a message for those considering suicide as a solution to a temporary problem. Please call a hotline. Please reach out. Asia needed you, Anthony. We needed you. Please come back. pic.twitter.com/kqOEdJ80h9 — rose mcgowan (@rosemcgowan) June 8, 2018 Report
Skip Twitter post by @wilkinebrutus Anthony Bourdain on humanity:
"Meals make the society, hold the fabric together in lots of ways that were charming and interesting and intoxicating to me. The perfect meal, or the best meals, occur in a context that frequently has very little to do with the food itself." RIP pic.twitter.com/0CWxbTcF8V — Wilkine Brutus (@wilkinebrutus) June 8, 2018 Report
Skip Twitter post by @GordonRamsay 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 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.
Did you ever meet Anthony Bourdain? Or did Bourdain change the way you cooked or ate? Please let us know. Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
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Chef and TV host Anthony Bourdain dies at 61 copied!
Chef, travel host and author Anthony Bourdain has died at the age of 61 from suicide, CNN confirms. The Morning Joe panel discusses Bourdain's life, the suicide of Kate Spade and resources for those dealing with depression.
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