Barack Obama leads tributes to the late Anthony Bourdain
The death of chef, author, and TV host Anthony Bourdain has left his fans reeling.
The 61-year-old Bourdain was reportedly found dead in his hotel room in France on Friday morning. News of his death, coupled with CNN’s report attributing it to suicide, has been met with shock and sadness.
Tributes to Bourdain, and messages reflecting on the importance of treating mental illness and suicidal feelings, have flooded in from all corners of the world. Celebrities, fellow food industry icons like Gordon Ramsay and Michael Ruhlman, and political figures were among those reacting to Bourdain’s death and his unparalleled legacy.
“Low plastic stool, cheap but delicious noodles, cold Hanoi beer.” This is how I’ll remember Tony. He taught us about food — but more importantly, about its ability to bring us together. To make us a little less afraid of the unknown. We’ll miss him. pic.twitter.com/orEXIaEMZM
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) June 8, 2018
I’m shocked and extremely saddened by the tragic loss of such an inspiring man. Tony was a great soul, a mentor, a friend, a father, and an incredible chef.
— Emeril Lagasse (@Emeril) June 8, 2018
RIP doubtful. Tony’s restless spirit will roam the earth in search of justice, truth and a great bowl of noodles. @Bourdain
— Tom Colicchio (@tomcolicchio) 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
I have to say I’m in total shock to hear that the amazing @Bourdain has just died he really broke the mould, pushed the culinary conversation, Rest in peace chef ? thoughts and love to all his family and close friends xxxxxxxxxxx pic.twitter.com/HB7sV7CeRH
— Jamie Oliver (@jamieoliver) 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
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
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. One of my idols. 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
— christine teigen (@chrissyteigen) June 8, 2018
Truly devastated about @Bourdain. I have no words. Please if you need help, reach out. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255
— Busy Philipps (@BusyPhilipps) June 8, 2018
Now, Anthony Bourdain. How terribly sad!
Please, please, let us treat mental illness, depression and suicide as health issues, not defects of character. That stigma is part of what prevents people from getting help they need. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255— David Axelrod (@davidaxelrod) June 8, 2018
Damn it, Tony.
Why?
I’ll always love you, pal.
Always be grateful.
Never gonna stop wondering why, though.
My heart is with you, wherever you are. Sending strength to your daughter.
Thank you, thank you – a thousand thousand thank you’s for everything.@Bourdain
— Adam Richman (@AdamRichman) 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
“Ok, I won’t talk to you” and we sat quietly together for a few minutes. Then someone came over to gush at him and he politely left. That’s the only time I ever met him, but there’s nothing I appreciate more than someone you can sit quietly with.
— Ashley Nicole Black (@ashleyn1cole) June 8, 2018
Absolutely stunned. @Bourdain you motherfucker. You giant. You friend. You writer. You most loyal to all around you. God, I’m so sad. Oh, this world. We’ve lost a hero.
— Michael Ruhlman (@ruhlman) 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
Oh my God @Bourdain has taken his life. People are in unmanageable pain. This is my wake up call today. We have to help those who cannot help themselves.
— Bethenny Frankel (@Bethenny) June 8, 2018
Rip @Bourdain if anyone out there is ever considering suicide please talk to someone. 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
— Ed Asner (@TheOnlyEdAsner) June 8, 2018
His wisdom, his insight, his humor, his compassion, his staunch resistance to the inauthentic and support of all that resonates from the heart, and his passion for life that he shared with the us….Its difficult to process a world without Anthony Bourdain.
— Elijah Wood (@elijahwood) June 8, 2018
Anthony Bourdain lived in a way that most of us should. A seeker of the unknown & a man who exposed magnificent parts of the world to us through our TVs. I don’t even know what to say, this makes me so damn sad. I truly loved him & what he stood for.
— Lucy Hale (@lucyhale) June 8, 2018
My friend..I know you are on a Ferry going to somewhere amazing…..you still had so many places to show us, whispering to our souls the great possibilities beyond what we could see with our own eyes…you only saw beauty in all https://t.co/Ltw9HrCBb2 will always travel with me https://t.co/Yv4Ntud6X0
— José Andrés (@chefjoseandres) June 8, 2018
Tragic news about Anthony Bourdain. Such energy being in his presence. Hanoi, Vietnam 2015 pic.twitter.com/sRKAzvPLds
— Pete Souza (@PeteSouza) June 8, 2018
Maya and I are so sad to hear the news of our dear friend today. You will be missed terribly. If you or anyone you know needs help, please don't wait to reach out.
.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 (TALK)
.https://t.co/O7MjAEqd7t pic.twitter.com/Sfn09iiGjR— Marcus Samuelsson (@MarcusCooks) June 8, 2018
Anthony Bourdain’s voice was so important because he moved us forward with his humanity!
— LeVar Burton (@levarburton) June 8, 2018
If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, don’t hesitate to reach out for help. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is open 24 hours a day at 800-273-8255.
Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle:
Kate Spade’s suicide is proof that money and fame can’t deter depression
Willow Smith tells Jada Pinkett Smith she was cutting herself after finding fame
Avicii died of suicide — what causes a person to fatally injure oneself
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