Anthony Bourdain — author, storyteller and TV personality — was found dead in a French hotel early Friday morning. CNN confirmed the news that he was found unresponsive by a friend, French chef Éric Ripert, after dying by suicide.
“It is with extraordinary sadness we can confirm the death of our friend and colleague, Anthony Bourdain,” CNN 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.”
Bourdain was in France filming a new episode for his award-winning CNN series Parts Unknown when he took his own life. Earning many nicknames throughout his career, like “the original rock star” and “the Elvis of bad boy chefs,” Bourdain leaves behind an incredible legacy, including 58 books, 11 TV shows and, most important, an 11-year-old daughter.
Bourdain’s girlfriend, Asia Argento, reacted to his death just hours after the news broke, writing “Anthony gave all of himself in everything that he did. His brilliant, fearless spirit touched and inspired so many, and his generosity knew no bounds. He was my love, my rock, my protector. I am beyond devastated. My thoughts are with his family. I would ask that you respect their privacy and mine.”
https://twitter.com/AsiaArgento/status/1005116310366269440?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Friends and fans also took to Twitter to share their disbelief, memories and grief.
More: What People Don’t Realize About Suicide Prevention
In my deepest, darkest post-partum depression, I would have personally never called a phone number. If John or my doctor never reached out, I would have never even known. It really can be a lonely hole. Watch the people you love and don’t be afraid to speak up.
— chrissy teigen (@chrissyteigen) June 8, 2018
“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
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
A friend of @StarTalkRadio. A friend of Food & Culture. A friend to us all. Anthony Bourdain, RIP. (1956-2018). pic.twitter.com/uVqEgldGsL
— Neil deGrasse Tyson (@neiltyson) June 8, 2018
https://twitter.com/digitalhen/status/1005079308078080001?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
https://twitter.com/Femmefeministe/status/1005077595178917889?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Anthony Bourdain lived in a way that most of us should. A seeker of the unknown & a man who exposed magnificent parts of the world to us through our TVs. I don’t even know what to say, this makes me so damn sad. I truly loved him & what he stood for.
— Lucy Hale (@lucyhale) June 8, 2018
Anthony Bourdain not only had a show that tried to teach Americans that “different” isn’t bad, he tried to teach men to re-examine how they treat women by holding them to a standard higher than “It’s not like I raped anyone.”
— The Volatile Mermaid (@OhNoSheTwitnt) June 8, 2018
Like so many others, I planned my entire vacation for later this year based around Anthony Bourdain's adventures. I have him to thank for many sleepless nights being sucked into his world. If youre thinking about harming yourself, please call 1-800-273-8255 and stay. Please stay.
— kelsey darragh (@kelseydarragh) June 8, 2018
More: Anthony Bourdain Hosted a Dinner Party for Harvey Weinstein’s Victims
In 2015, Bourdain did an interview with Wine Spectator magazine and told them how he’d like to be remembered when the day came, saying, “Maybe that I grew up a little. That I’m a dad, that I’m not a half-bad cook, that I can make a good coq au vin. That would be nice. And not such a bad bastard after all.”
Bourdain’s death comes just days after Kate Spade’s death by suicide on Tuesday. According to a survey published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention earlier this week, suicide is a growing problem, having increased by 25 percent from 1996 to 2016.
For more information on the warning signs and prevention of suicide, click here. If you’re considering suicide or fear you may become suicidal, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 24/7 at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). If you’re worried about someone you love, visit SuicidePreventionLifeline.org. If you live outside the U.S., you can find a list of suicide-prevention hotlines worldwide here.
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