CNN announced the death of its Parts Unknown host, saying he was found unresponsive in his hotel room in Strasbourg, France, where he was working on an upcoming episode. "CNN confirmed Bourdain's death on Friday and said the cause of death was suicide," according to a CNN report. CNN also released an official statement, saying: "It is with extraordinary sadness we can confirm the death of our friend and colleague, Anthony Bourdain. 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." CNN is in the midst of airing the 11th season of Parts Unknown, with three episodes remaining.
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Gordon Ramsay pays tribute: "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."
"One of my idols," tweeted Chrissy Teigen. "Unapologetic, passionate and one of the best storytellers on the planet. Thank you for making food so exciting. And always standing up for everything right. Horrible. Why why why. Be at peace now :("
"This is who Anthony was," tweeted Jake Tapper. "Asked to donate something for an auction for @HomesForOurTrps, he handed over his beloved — and pricey — watch. He’d give you the shirt off his back."
Bourdain was one of the leading male voices in the #MeToo movement: "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," says Rebecca Traister.
"Bourdain projected a sense of invincibility," says Kyle Koster. "There seemed no challenge too steep, no situation too uncomfortable, or location too remote for him to tackle with gusto. He seemed at ease with chaos, infinitely malleable, and, most importantly, willing to listen. And learn."
Anthony Bourdain was American cool: "I say this as somebody who hates the word 'cool' and all the contrived nonsense that it stirs up, but the man really was," says William O'Connor. "He could hold court with gourmand French chefs in one episode, and then gut and cook a chicken on the Congo River in the next. I was proud to have my country associated with him—he was in that brash yet debonair American mold that foreigners eat up."