Anthony Bourdain, Chef and CNN Host, Dies of Apparent Suicide at 61

Anthony Bourdain (Credit: CNN)

Anthony Bourdain, the animated chef and host of CNN’s Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown, has died from an apparent suicide, the cable network confirmed Friday. He was 61.

Bourdain was in Kaysersberg, France working on an upcoming episode of his popular cooking and travel series when he was found unresponsive in his hotel room.

He appeared to have hanged himself, according to media reports citing local prosecutor Christian de Rocquigny du Fayel. Bourdain’s friend, French chef Eric Ripert, found his body, CNN reported.

“It is with extraordinary sadness we can confirm the death of our friend and colleague, Anthony Bourdain,” the network 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.”

Bourdain’s death came just three days after fashion designer Kate Spade took her life.

The celebrity chef was born in New York City in 1956,  and grew up in Leonia, New Jersey.

He graduated from The Culinary Institute of America and eventually became executive chef at New York’s Brasserie Les Halles.

Bourdain rose to national prominence with his acclaimed book Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly, which was published in 2000.

He joined CNN in 2013 as host of Parts Unknown, one of the network’s most popular series.

The show featured cuisine and stories from around the world, and won several Emmy Awards as well as a 2013 Peabody Award, according to CNN.

The chef and best-selling author was previously married twice, and leaves behind daughter Ariane Bourdain, 11.

Asia Argento and Anthony Bourdain (Credit: Deposit Photos)
Asia Argento and Anthony Bourdain (Credit: Deposit Photos)

Bourdain, a frequent critic of disgraced Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein, had most recently been dating Italian actress Asia Argento – who is one of Weinstein’s accusers.

Argento posted a lengthy statement on Twitter following Bourdain’s death.

“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,” she wrote. “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