Bourdain in his CNN show Parts Unknown | Photo: YouTube/CBS This Morning
Chef, storyteller, and TV host Anthony Bourdain is dead at the age of 61.
CNN, the network behind Bourdain’s show Parts Unknown, confirmed his death on Friday (8 June). They said the cause was suicide.
The chef was in France working on an episode of the show when friend and French chef Eric Ripert found him unresponsive in his hotel room.
‘It is with extraordinary sadness we can confirm the death of our friend and colleague, Anthony Bourdain,’ the network said.
‘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 is survived by his daughter and girlfriend, Italian actress, Asia Argento.
His death comes the same week as designer Kate Spade’s suicide.
An outspoken ally
Bourdain was an outspoken figure, not just about food, but politics and civil rights as well.
Before the US Supreme Court legalized marriage equality, Bourdian put his support behind it.
‘A common thread of the people I admire – whoever they are, wherever they are – are people who are proud and do things with love, and feel a sense of responsibility to others,’ he said.
‘What sensible person could be against that?’
He also commented on the most recent Supreme Court case, in which the Justices found for a baker who refused to make a wedding cake for a gay couple. Bourdain spoke up on behalf of the couple.
He signed an amicus brief in the case which read: ‘When a chef offers something to the public, he must offer it to all.’
Finally, he was also a supporter of the #MeToo movement. Argento came out with her own #MeToo story and Bourdain believed, defended, and supported her.
— Asia Argento (@AsiaArgento) June 8, 2018
Anthony was devoted not only to @AsiaArgento but to the justice she and other Weinstein survivors were denied for so long. His righteous anger and his “small, random acts of kindness and sincerity” is what I will remember most about him. https://t.co/3XrQHJGklv
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) June 8, 2018
‘This is how I’ll remember Tony’
Many people took to Twitter to remember the chef.
Including Barack Obama, who appeared with Bourdain on an episode of Parts Unknown.
“Low plastic stool, cheap but delicious noodles, cold Hanoi beer.” This is how I’ll remember Tony. He taught us about food — but more importantly, about its ability to bring us together. To make us a little less afraid of the unknown. We’ll miss him. pic.twitter.com/orEXIaEMZM
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) June 8, 2018
Fellow journalists, chefs, and figures also expressed their condolences.
Maybe we all wanted to hang out with him. He was that cool, fun, frank, insightful. He introduced us to distant lands and to people with different traditions. And without ever preaching, he reminded us that we humans are far more alike than different. Thank you Anthony Bourdain pic.twitter.com/QMznx4JMhS
— Mia Farrow (@MiaFarrow) June 8, 2018
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.
— Christiane Amanpour (@camanpour) June 8, 2018
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
Bourdain’s exceptional writing made this one formerly picky, fearful eater very brave and want to try everything and I’ll always be grateful for him and the worlds he opened
— 🇵🇷 Lin-Manuel Miranda 🏳️🌈 (@Lin_Manuel) June 8, 2018
Need support? LGBTI helplines for those in crisis or seeking advice
