Anthony Bourdain dead: Celebrity chef, TV star dies of suicide at 61

By Geoff Herbert, Syracuse Media Group, N.Y.

“Parts Unknown” TV host Anthony Bourdain is dead at age 61.

CNN reported Friday that the celebrity chef died early Friday morning of an apparent suicide.

“It is with extraordinary sadness we can confirm the death of our friend and colleague, Anthony Bourdain,” the network said in a statement Friday morning. “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.”

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According to the cable news network, Bourdain was found unresponsive in his hotel room in France Friday by close friend and French chef Eric Ripert.

Additional details have not been made available.

Bourdain was a celebrated author and Emmy-winning television host who received a Peabody Award in 2013 for “expanding our palates and horizons in equal measure” on his food and travel show, “Parts Unknown.” Season 11 of the show had just premiered last month; his other credits include “Kitchen Confidential” and the Travel Channel’s “No Reservations.”

He visited Syracuse’s Borough Furnace in late 2014 to film an episode for his “Raw Craft” series, celebrating the company’s cast-iron pans crafted by hand in a sustainable, environmentally friendly process.

“It was great to spend a little bit of time with Anthony,” the Borough Furnace’s Liz Seru told syracuse.com. “He had just come back from Madagascar, and we all went to dinner at the Dinosaur (Bar-B-Que) after the shoot. He said after being in Madagascar, he had a hankering for mac ‘n cheese.”

Bourdain’s death comes days after Kate Spade also died of an apparent suicide. The fashion designer was found hanged by a scarf in New York apartment on Tuesday.
According to CNN, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Thursday that suicide rates have increased by 25 percent over nearly two decades.

If you or or someone you know needs help, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.

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Bourdain is survived by his daughter, Ariane, from his second marriage. He started dating actress Asia Argento last year and became an advocate for the #MeToo and Time’s Up movements.

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