Anthony Bourdain's shocking death Friday drew an outpouring of tributes from his colleagues in the business and food world where he made his mark, as well as thousands of fans of his show "Parts Unknown".
Bourdain was remembered as a master storyteller, whose work helped bring food cultures from around the world into U.S. living rooms and whose book "Kitchen Confidential" exposed the intense underbelly of the restaurant industry.
Tributes included many from his fellow chefs, including Gordon Ramsay, Nigella Lawson, Andrew Zimmern, Tyler Florence, Carla Hall and others.
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
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
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.
— Andrew Zimmern (@andrewzimmern) June 8, 2018
Tony was a symphony. I wish everyone could have seen all of him. A true friend.
Shattered... https://t.co/dYcnGw7XCp
— Tyler Florence (@TylerFlorence) June 8, 2018
David Chang posted only a black square on Instagram with lyrics from the Bonnie "Prince" Billy song “I See a Darkness.”
Tributes also came from many other celebrities and people with whom Bourdain had dined:
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
And he was routinely remembered for his insight and his ability to tell a story.
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
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
Nine days ago. Beautiful shot. https://t.co/Jetl8eKXqP
— Joe Walsh (@WalshFreedom) June 8, 2018
Many of the tributes came from the television and journalism worlds, where Bourdain made his mark, including his colleagues at CNN:
CNN statement regarding the death of our friend and colleague, Anthony Bourdain: pic.twitter.com/MR1S5fP16o
— CNN Communications (@CNNPR) June 8, 2018
This is who Anthony was. 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. https://t.co/BVvzTxPkPF
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) June 8, 2018
Anthony Bourdain, a gifted storyteller and writer who took CNN viewers around the world, has died. He was 61. We have live coverage on CNN now.
— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) June 8, 2018
The thing I loved about Anthony Bourdain’s shows is that the food was just part of the bigger project of learning about the world. So sad to see him leave it.
— James Poniewozik (@poniewozik) June 8, 2018
Bourdain was working when he apparently took his own life. And his show earned him millions of fans who expressed an outpouring of grief over his loss.
My family invited Anthony Bourdain into our home every week. And every week he took us around the world, trying new foods and speaking to new people and discovering new cultures. His writing, humor, & candor always reminding me of home. I'm heartbroken. We are failing one another
— Danielle Campoamor (@DCampoamor) June 8, 2018
Many remembered Bourdain with some of his notable quotes:
I have immense sadness "Maybe that's enlightenment enough: to know that there is no final resting place of the mind; no moment of smug clarity. Perhaps wisdom is realising how small I am, and unwise, and how far I have yet to go." - Anthony Bourdain pic.twitter.com/7QjikpdFFg
— Emalie Bunger (@bunger_emalie) June 8, 2018
"You learn a lot about someone when you share a meal together."
— Robbie Thompson (@robbiethompson) June 8, 2018
- Anthony Bourdain
MAKE TIME to SPEND TIME with the people in your life. When with them, per Stephen R. Covey's wisdom, listen to them NOT with the intent to respond, but with the intent to UNDERSTAND.
RIP 😔🙏🏾 https://t.co/AHEWK7P8sT
The untimely death of Bourdain also led to an awareness of the growing problem of suicide.
It came just days after the death of designer Kate Spade, also by suicide, and it came the same week that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released statistics showing that suicide rates across the country are rising.
Nearly 45,000 Americans age 10 or older died by suicide in 2016, according to the CDC.
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
I am gutted and saddened upon hearing the news of @Bourdain, a beloved presence in the culinary community. You will be missed. pic.twitter.com/GIAijn3jIL
— Carla Hall (@carlahall) June 8, 2018
😔
— Dianne Gallagher (@DianneG) June 8, 2018
If you are struggling, please reach out to a trusted friend or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
1-800-273-8255https://t.co/soBV4lWoMe
If you are in crisis, or need help, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
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