Prominent chefs and other TV personalities expressed shock on Friday at the death of chef turned TV star Anthony Bourdain at age 61.
“Stunned and saddened by the loss of Anthony Bourdain,” Gordon Ramsay tweeted. “He brought the world into our homes and inspired so many people to explore cultures and cities through their food.”
Longtime friend of Bourdain and fellow chef Éric Ripert found the “Parts Unknown” star unresponsive on Friday in his Paris hotel room, according to CNN. “Anthony was my best friend,” Ripert wrote on Friday. Read more on that here.
Chef and TV host Ming Tsai wrote: “Just so crazy. We lost an icon and incredible story teller.”
“Devastated. I don’t feel much else,” said Darren Aronofsky in a statement. “Tony was a loyal friend and an inspiration. Always sensitive, always connected, always inquisitive, always fun. We had great times exploring Madagascar and Bhutan together. I will never forget his spirit, his conviction, his professionalism, his passion, his love for his daughter, his love for Asia and her kids, his vision, his stories, his drive for justice, and his wicked sense of humor. Thank you Tony.”
The Travel Channel, which aired nine seasons of his show “No Reservations,” said: “We are stunned and deeply saddened to hear that the world is now without its global ambassador, Anthony Bourdain. He was an incredible talent who showed us beautiful, gritty, complicated and delicious places in every corner of the world. His wit and perspective will be missed. Our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time.”
According to the BBC, Bourdain’s body was found in a hotel room in a Strasbourg, France, where he was shooting an episode for CNN’s “Parts Unknown,” now in its 11th season.
Bourdain was working as executive chef of the New York city restaurant Brasserie Les Halles when he shot to fame with his 2000 tell-all best-seller “Kitchen Confidential.”
Two years later, he launched his first TV show, “A Cook’s Tour,” on the Food Network. Three years later, he joined the Travel Channel with “Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations,” picking up two Emmy Awards, and in 2011, hosted “The Layover.”
Many stars took the opportunity to note that Bourdain’s death came just days after that of fashion designer Kate Spade, also by suicide, and underscored the crippling effects of depression.
“I was saddened to hear of the deaths of Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain,” Emmy winner Bryan Cranston tweeted. “It illustrates that success is not immune to depression. We all need to be more aware of our friends who are suffering.”
Others tweeted contact information for suicide prevention hotlines and encouraged fans to seek out medical help if they were feeling overwhelmed.
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
Just so crazy. We lost an icon and incredible story teller…….just so sad….. https://t.co/U8pivXIs4O
— Ming Tsai (@mingtsai) June 8, 2018
I’m staying away from the hurly burly of the day and trying to keep the love for my friend in my heart, but wanted to let the thousands of you who have reached out know how much I appreciate your messages. Hope, love, respect… let’s honor that right now.
— Andrew Zimmern (@andrewzimmern) June 8, 2018
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) June 8, 2018
RIP Tony Bourdain …Wtf …in complete shock … loss for words
— michael symon (@chefsymon) June 8, 2018
Shattered… https://t.co/dYcnGw7XCp
— Tyler Florence (@TylerFlorence) June 8, 2018
https://twitter.com/rosemcgowan/status/1005072237454610432
Rocker Iggy Pop, who was longtime friends with Bourdain, shared his reaction:
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”
— Iggy Pop (@IggyPop) June 8, 2018
Bourdain, who voiced a character fashioned after his own persona in the fourth season of “Archer,” was remembered by the show’s executive producers Adam Reed and Matt Thompson: “On behalf of all the cast and crew of ‘Archer,’ we offer our deepest sympathies to Anthony’s loved ones. We will miss his great and genuine talent, and even more so his warmth, wit, and friendship. Rest in peace.”
Maybe we all wanted to hang out with him. He was that cool, fun, frank, insightful. He introduced us to distant lands and to people with different traditions. And without ever preaching, he reminded us that we humans are far more alike than different. Thank you Anthony Bourdain pic.twitter.com/QMznx4JMhS
— Mia Farrow 🏳️🌈 🌻🇺🇸💙 (@MiaFarrow) June 8, 2018
https://twitter.com/jonahray/status/1005109320785072128
You are not alone. You can get through whatever… https://t.co/zA3yky46J1
— octavia spencer (@octaviaspencer) June 8, 2018
https://twitter.com/emmyrossum/status/1005085259996598274
Here is the thing…just one of the things that makes this so hard and confusing. I think everyone wanted to be Anthony Bourdain.
I did. We all did.— John Berman (@JohnBerman) June 8, 2018
https://twitter.com/ikebarinholtz/status/1005079312788160512
Anthony Bourdain walked into my home without a hint of ego.
I loved him in seconds.
A truly decent man.
We needed him.— John Lurie (@lurie_john) June 8, 2018
Hard to process. Not the news I expected this morning. As if the work weren't clear on this, he radiated kindness and well-being. Hard to find the words. So many people suffering. Call or text that person in your life you're thinking of right now. Help them get to tomorrow.
— Barry Jenkins (@BarryJenkins) June 8, 2018
I really loved watching and listening to Anthony Bourdain. He was smart and sexy and I envied him being able to travel the world to eat. I wish people who are struggling inside could bring themselves to tell someone they are full of anguish or pain. Hope is reachable. #suicide
— Terry McMillan (@MsTerryMcMillan) June 8, 2018
According to AFSP, there are nearly 45,000 suicides every year in the US. Shocking. I was saddened to hear of the deaths of Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain. RIP. It illustrates that success is not immune to depression. We all need to be more aware of our friends who are suffering
— Bryan Cranston (@BryanCranston) June 8, 2018
National Suicide Hotline
1 800 273 8255I’ve brushed up against this darkness and I know it’s a tempting exit but REACH OUT to ANYONE. Stay on this side of it — in the light and warmth. Where you get to try again, every day.
— Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) June 8, 2018
https://twitter.com/oliviamunn/status/1005075851568996353
My first thought was how hard the double-whammy of news this week must be for some of us. It's hard for me, and I'm doing ok right now, mentally. Reach out to the people you love.
— zoe kazan (@zoeinthecities) June 8, 2018
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) June 8, 2018
Anthony Bourdain committed suicide. I feel sick to my stomach. He inspired me to travel the world and get over my fear of flying. I was lucky enough to meet him on one of my flights. I can't breathe
— Andy Milonakis (@andymilonakis) June 8, 2018
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. https://t.co/mkht3wTY5m
— Mandy Moore (@TheMandyMoore) 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
Anthony Bourdain's suicide a sobering reminder of how fragile life is and that we never know what's going on inside of another. Suicide is rarely a person acting, but rather being acted upon by the disease of clinical depression. We are all vulnerable. So very sad.
— Gov. Mike Huckabee (@GovMikeHuckabee) June 8, 2018
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) June 8, 2018
One of my dreams was to sip wine and eat outrageously good food with Anthony Bourdain. His book, Kitchen Confidential, was a game changer for me. I don’t even know what to say https://t.co/69HUZyApq7
— Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) June 8, 2018
Bourdain was one of the men out there doing work of reexamination & personal reflection & of truly listening to women, perhaps spurred by, but not limited to, Asia Argento. In addition to loving his writing & his show, I deeply appreciated this effort. https://t.co/PjsBKTtco5
— Rebecca Traister (@rtraister) June 8, 2018
https://twitter.com/WainwrightAE/status/1005079240499294208