Celebrity chef and CNN host Anthony Bourdain’s death by suicide has shocked his colleagues in media and in the kitchen.
CNN confirmed Bourdain’s death and 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,” the network said in the statement.
Bourdain’s travel and food show “Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown” is in its 11th season on CNN.
Former U.S. President Barack Obama appeared in an episode of the show in 2016 where the pair drank beer at a restaurant in Vietnam.
“He taught us about food, but more importantly, about its ability to bring us together,” . “We’ll miss him.”
U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters on Friday morning Bordain’s death is “very sad.”
“I want to extend to his family my heartfelt condolences,” he said. “I enjoyed his show. He was quite a character.”
Bourdain’s colleagues at the network were shocked at the news of his death. CNN anchor and Chief Washington Correspondent
Christiane Amanpour, CNN’s chief international correspondent,
“He was a friend, a collaborator, and family,” she said. “A huge personality, a giant talent, a unique voice, and deeply, deeply human. My heart goes out to his daughter and family.”
In a visit to Toronto for his show “The Layover,” Bourdain ate at The Black Hoof, owned by local restauranteur Jen Agg. The pair became friends, and Bourdain later wrote a blurb for Agg’s memoir.
Agg said she’s in shock by Bourdain’s sudden death and will remember him for his generosity.
“With his time, his words, his encouragement, in all things, he was so generous,”
“This is the worst. We've lost a brilliant story teller/writer and a great man, like to have tilted the world toward your way of thinking and to do it all while profoundly cool seems impossible, but he did it. I'll miss him so much.”
Fellow celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay by the news of Bourdain’s death.
“He brought the world into our homes and inspired so many people to explore cultures and cities through their food,” he said.
Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver said he’s in “total shock.”
“(Bourdain) really broke the mold, pushed the culinary conversation and was the most brilliant writer,” Oliver
Israeli-British chef Yotam Ottolenghi said Bourdain’s ” while Buddy Valastro, known as the Cake Boss,
“restless spirit will roam the earth in search of justice, truth and a great bowl of noodles.”
French chef He and Bourdain have the same one.
“Looking at the spoon tattoo we share fills my heart with so much sadness today, but forever will be a reminder that you believed in me,” he said. “I am forever indebted to this passionate great man.”
Forever with me Tony. Looking at the spoon tattoo we share fills my heart with so much sadness today, but forever will be a reminder that you believed in me.I am forever indebted to this passionate great man. Truly heartbroken today.
— Ludo Lefebvre (@chefludo)
Food writer and TV show host Nigella Lawson said she would be taking a break from social media after finding out about Bourdain’s death,
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)
Antoni Porowski, a Polish chef best known for being the food and wine expert on the Netflix show “Queer Eye,” “father, partner, chef, writer, and incredibly talented man.”
I am shocked and deeply saddened. RIP to a father, partner, chef, writer, and incredibly talented man. ❤️ Prayers for his loved ones.
— Antoni Porowski (@antoni)
Phil Rosenthal, who hosts the Netflix show “Somebody Feed Phil,” a program similar to Bourdain’s,
I’ve just woken to the tragic news about Anthony Bourdain. I always considered him a superhero, and a direct inspiration. In his ground breaking shows, he embodied the spirit of travel, adventure, and strove to make the world a true community. RIP.
— Phil Rosenthal (@PhilRosenthal)
“In his ground-breaking shows, he embodied the spirit of travel, adventure and strove to make the world a true community,” he said.
Several celebrities also took the time to express their grief with the news, including singer and actress Mandy Moore,
“Thank you for opening our eyes to parts of the world both cherished and unknown,” she said. “What a legacy. Sending peace and love to his family.”
This is utterly heartbreaking. Thank you for opening our eyes to parts of the world both cherished and unknown. What a legacy. Sending peace and love to his family. If you or someone you love needs help, please reach out or call 1-800-273-TALK.
— Mandy Moore (@TheMandyMoore)
Celebrity television host Ryan Seacrest called Bourdain
“He took us around the world sharing food culture and mostly the connection between people,” Seacrest said. “He will be missed.”
We have lost one of the greatest storytellers in the world Anthony Bourdain. He took us around the world sharing food culture and mostly the connection between people. He will be missed.
— Ryan Seacrest (@RyanSeacrest)
for his food suggestions, saying “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.”
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)
Actress Rose McGowan posted a now-deleted video to Twitter where she appeared to be sitting on the floor crying.
“For those considering suicide, please don’t,” she said in the video. “It’s a permanent solution to a temporary problem.”
“This will affect people around the globe because Bourdain was international,” she added.
Model and “Lip-sync Battle” co-host Chrissy Teigen
“Thank you for making food so exciting and always standing up for everything right,” she tweeted. “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)
Actress Busy Philipps with the news and provided the number to the American suicide prevention hotline.
Truly devastated about . I have no words. Please if you need help, reach out. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255
— Busy Philipps (@BusyPhilipps)
Rapper Lupe Fiasco , saying it is “the best thing I know how to make.”
He made Momma happy! thats a lotta points.
— COBRA|Soul Food (@LupeFiasco)
May God have mercy on your soul Chef!
RIP Anthony Bourdain. World Class. Solid. Inspirational. Soul.
The best thing I know how to make (Spaghetti w Onions!!!) I learned/stole from your show
Armenian-American singer-songwriter Serj Tankian spent time with Bourdain during filming of a recent episode of Parts Unknown.
“We've lost an honest broker of life, cuisine, culture and truth,” “Our love and condolences go out to his family and all those he touched with his beautiful spirit.”
Utterly shocked by news of 's passing. We've lost an honest broker of life, cuisine, culture and truth. I was honored to spend time with him in Armenia for . Our love and condolences go out to his family & all those he touched with his beautiful spirit.
— Serj Tankian (@serjtankian)
Punk rock musician Iggy Pop said
“He was a light of kindness and good vibes in my life,” he said.
MESSAGE FROM IGGY: “I’m in shock having just heard that Anthony Bourdain has passed away. I loved the guy, and he was a light of kindness and good vibes in my life.
— Iggy Pop (@IggyPop)
Iggy Pop”
Meanwhile, as NASA searches for life on Mars, his death is a reminder “of how precious life is, anywhere in the universe.”
As searches for life on Mars, we lose the life of beloved Anthony Bourdain on Earth. Implicit and explicit reminders of how precious life is, anywhere in the universe.
— Neil deGrasse Tyson (@neiltyson)
is a big fan of Bourdain’s show, saying it helped “feel more connected to the planet” when he was in space.
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.
— Scott Kelly (@StationCDRKelly)
Jamil Smith, a senior writer with Rolling Stone, said Bourdain had a
“I feel this death in my bones,” he said. “I never knew him in person. I will miss him terribly.”
I feel this death in my bones. had what I’d call a generous curiosity about the world, guiding audiences through it with an awe, respect, and humor that are all too uncommon. Also rare: he knew what he didn’t know. I never knew him in person. I will miss him terribly.
— Jamil Smith (@JamilSmith)
If you’re struggling and feel like you need to talk to someone,
CNN statement regarding the death of our friend and colleague, Anthony Bourdain:
— CNN Communications (@CNNPR)
“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.
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama)
This is so awful.
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper)
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.
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)
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)
Gutted to hear we’ve lost . If you are ever feeling alone, please call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1 (800) 273-8255.
— Buddy Valastro (@CakeBossBuddy)
RIP doubtful. Tony’s restless spirit will roam the earth in search of justice, truth and a great bowl of noodles.
— Tom Colicchio (@tomcolicchio)