Celebrity chef, author and longtime television personality Anthony Bourdain has died. The Emmy-winning host was 61.
CNN reported Bourdain died by suicide in a hotel room in France.
He was reportedly shooting an upcoming episode of CNN's "Parts Unknown."
Bourdain began hosting the international travel and cuisine show in 2013 after more than a decade hosting shows on the Travel Channel and Food Network. "Parts Unknown" won several Emmy awards as well as a Peabody Award in 2013.
CNN confirmed the news in a statement on the network's Twitter account Friday morning:
<em>"It is with extraordinary sadness we can confirm the death of our friend and colleague, Anthony Bourdain," the network said. "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."</em>
Bourdain graduated from the Culinary Institute of America in 1978. He ran a number of restaurants in New York City.
Bourdain’s achieved celebrity status after the publication in 2000 of his best-selling book “Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly.” It combined frank details of his life and career with behind-the-scenes observations on the culinary industry.
Before "Parts Unknown," Bourdain hosted a TV show called "A Cook's Tour" on Food Network and then "Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations" as well as "The Layover" on the Travel Channel.
Asia Argento, Bourdain's longtime girlfriend, released a statement calling Bourdain 'her protector.'
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Bourdain's death comes just days after the death of fashion designer Kate Spade. Spade was found dead of apparent suicide in her Manhattan apartment on Tuesday.
Spade’s husband and business partner said the 55-year-old business mogul had suffered from depression and anxiety for many years.
Bourdain’s death drew new attention to celebrity suicides.
According to new reports, there have been more reported suicides than car crash deaths in recent years.
In the preface to the latest edition “Kitchen Confidential,” Bourdain wrote of his shock at the success off his book, which he wrote by getting up at 5 a.m. in the morning to steal a couple of hours at the computer before appearing at the saute station for lunch.
He said he never intended to write an expose or to “rip the lid off the restaurant business.” He said he liked the restaurant business the way it was.
“What I set out to do was write a book that my fellow cooks would find entertaining and true. I wanted it to sound like me talking at say ... ten o’clock on a Saturday night, after a busy dinner rush, me and a few cooks hanging around in the kitchen, knocking back a few beers and talking shit.”
Bourdain said he really had no idea that anyone outside the world of chefs would even pay attention to his comments. It seemed to startle him, that a book intended for professional cooks would have such mass appeal.