Anthony Bourdain, the host of CNN’s “Parts Unknown,” is dead after taking his own life at the age of 61, according to the network.
“It is with extraordinary sadness we can confirm the death of our friend and colleague, Anthony Bourdain,” CNN said in a statement Friday morning. “His love of great adventure, new friends, fine food and drink and the remarkable stories of the world made him a unique storyteller.”
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“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”
Bourdain, whose popular travel, food and culture weekly series, “Parts Unknown,” captured multiple Emmy awards since launching in 2013, was in France working on an upcoming episode of the show, now in its 11th season.
One episode featured a meal with then-President Obama in Vietnam.
President Trump on Friday called Bourdain’s death “very sad” and offered “heartfelt condolences” to his family.
CNN reports French chef and close friend Eric Ripert found Bourdain unresponsive in his hotel room on Friday morning.
The shocking news comes as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a new analysis on Thursday showing suicides have become the 10th leading cause of death in the U.S., with 25 states showing an increase of more than 30 percent since 1999.
Updated at 9:01 a.m.