Anthony Bourdain, the legendary chef and host of CNN’s Parts Unknown and the best-selling author of Kitchen Confidential, died today at the age of 61. Bourdain died by suicide while working on his show in Strasbourg, France.
“His love of great adventure, new friends, fine food and drink and the remarkable stories of the world made him a unique storyteller,” said CNN in an official statement. “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.”
From physicist Neil deGrasse Tyson to journalist Christiane Amanpour and his fellow chefs Andrew Zimmern and Marcus Samuelsson, his famous friends, colleagues, and admirers alike paid tribute to Bourdain with memories and photos online. Scores of fans joined them, posting favorite quotes and testimonials about how Bourdain and his work inspired them.
“As NASA searches for life on Mars, we lose the life of beloved Anthony Bourdain on Earth,” wrote astrophysicist and host Neil deGrasse Tyson. “Implicit and explicit reminders of how precious life is, anywhere in the universe.”
Former President Barack Obama also shared a photo of himself with Bourdain, taken during an episode of Parts Unknown. “‘Low plastic stool, cheap but delicious noodles, cold Hanoi beer.’ This is how I’ll remember Tony,” President Obama wrote. “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.”
Anthony was my best friend. An exceptional human being, so inspiring & generous. One of the great storytellers who connected w so many. I pray he is at peace from the bottom of my heart. My love & prayers are also w his family, friends and loved ones. pic.twitter.com/LbIeZK14ia
— Eric Ripert (@ericripert) 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
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
As @NASA 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) June 8, 2018
You know why I don’t eat airplane food? Cause Anthony Bourdain told me not to. When he talked. We listened. So sad his sorrow was too much to bear. We’re gonna miss seeing u travel the world & reminding us to try new things and embrace people we’ve never met. #RIPAnthonyBourdain
— Lena Waithe (@LenaWaithe) June 8, 2018
It’s safe to say that for better or worse I and many other cooks of my generations would not be in this industry were it not for Bourdain. I sure wish I could have shared a beer with him some day.https://t.co/Hrs7F3vXDo
— J. Kenji López-Alt (@kenjilopezalt) June 8, 2018
Anthony was a major MeToo supporter. He strongly defended our rights; he spoke up publicly for us. He was that vital male partner. I am humbled and forever grateful that one of his last major projects was believing in and becoming EP of my recent CNN series on the lives of women.
— Christiane Amanpour (@camanpour) 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
His wisdom, his insight, his humor, his compassion, his staunch resistance to the inauthentic and support of all that resonates from the heart, and his passion for life that he shared with the us….Its difficult to process a world without Anthony Bourdain.
— Elijah Wood (@elijahwood) June 8, 2018
Today's a day of extreme sadness for us here at Xi'an Famous Foods. I've lost a dear friend today, and we mourn with the rest of the world. I remember the time in 2007 when Tony first visited our basement food stall in Flushing for Travel Channel's No Reservations while I was… pic.twitter.com/z7FBcWnMID
— Xi'an Famous Foods (@xianfoods) June 8, 2018
My God. R.I.P., Bourdain. https://t.co/lhBIoK31jz
— Willie Geist (@WillieGeist) June 8, 2018
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
Im so angry this morning. Life is fucking hard and crazy and Tony I love you. Im wearing your boots that I never wore because they were yours, and going to work. Everyone should hug some extra people today. My heart is heavy. https://t.co/2lFmz1UvWK pic.twitter.com/62Qcjwo33f
— Andrew Zimmern (@andrewzimmern) June 8, 2018
My heart is broken for my sweet friend @AsiaArgento. … Anthony Bourdain💔
— om (@oliviamunn) June 8, 2018
My friend..I know you are on a Ferry going to somewhere amazing…..you still had so many places to show us, whispering to our souls the great possibilities beyond what we could see with our own eyes…you only saw beauty in all https://t.co/Ltw9HrCBb2 will always travel with me https://t.co/Yv4Ntud6X0
— José Andrés (@chefjoseandres) June 8, 2018
Anthony Bourdain 1956-2018 #RIP ~ a monumental loss; don’t know where to start. Speechless pic.twitter.com/slhff4IHfj
— GRAHAM ELLIOT (@grahamelliot) June 8, 2018
If a life can be measured by the number of other lives it inspired, enlightened, enraged, delighted, provoked, instructed, touched, and ultimately devastated…Anthony Bourdain’s sits atop the list. Beyond stunned. Hug someone you love today.
— Danny Meyer (@dhmeyer) June 8, 2018
Through space and time, Anthony. Your love will find you again. pic.twitter.com/XBod1vDZ8k
— rose mcgowan (@rosemcgowan) June 8, 2018
Heartbroken over Anthony Bourdain. He was a kind person. This world doesn’t make sense today.
— Emmy Rossum (@emmyrossum) June 8, 2018
Stunned by the passing of Anthony Bourdain. Truly a favorite guest. With respect and admiration. pic.twitter.com/uAUObvzsFn
— David Silverman (@tubatron) June 8, 2018
one of the best nights ever. Sitting in the Rogano being interviewed by Anthony Bourdain. We ate, I drank good wine and we laughed ….I was so lucky pic.twitter.com/dGfX3wN46E
— Janey Godley (@JaneyGodley) June 8, 2018
Playing for you now. https://t.co/0fxRKmLgkV
— christine teigen (@chrissyteigen) June 8, 2018
I have to say I’m in total shock to hear that the amazing @Bourdain has just died 💔 he really broke the mould, pushed the culinary conversation, Rest in peace chef 👨🍳 🙏 thoughts and love to all his family and close friends xxxxxxxxxxx pic.twitter.com/HB7sV7CeRH
— Jamie Oliver (@jamieoliver) June 8, 2018
Anthony Bourdain had recently been outspoken on #MeToo and #TimesUp. After his girlfriend Asia Argento came forward with accusations against Weinstein in the New Yorker, he tweeted: “I am proud and honored to know you." RIP. So sad. https://t.co/DW0tHkGEuE
— Alex Berg (@itsalexberg) June 8, 2018
Damn it, Tony.
Why?
I’ll always love you, pal.
Always be grateful.
Never gonna stop wondering why, though.
My heart is with you, wherever you are. Sending strength to your daughter.
Thank you, thank you – a thousand thousand thank you’s for everything.@Bourdain
— Adam Richman (@AdamRichman) June 8, 2018
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