Grieving friends of Anthony Bourdain say he was left exhausted to by his grueling work schedule which fueled his depression.
The celebrity chef and TV host spent 250 days per year on the road traveling to different countries and cities for the latest season of Parts Unknown.
But those close to the 61-year-old said they felt like he put so much into his work, there was nothing left for himself.
‘His travel schedule was grueling and he often seemed quite beat-up from it, as anyone would be,’ a source who worked with Bourdain in the past year told People. ‘He’d put everything into the shoots and then go back to his room to isolate.’
Grieving friends of Anthony Bourdain say he was left exhausted to by his grueling work schedule which fueled his depression. Bourdain was also pictured riding a tandem bike with friend Eric Ripert on Wednesday – just two days before he was found hanged
The celebrity chef and TV host spent 250 days per year on the road traveling to different countries and cities for the latest season of Parts Unknown (pictured with his girlfriend Asia Argento last month in Florence)
The couple spent some time together in Italy before Bourdain flew to France to shoot his show
In early May, Bourdain was in Bali, attending a traditional funeral, another stop on his busy schedule
In April, Bourdain sat down for an interview, over lunch of course, with fellow CNN stalwart Anderson Cooper
‘It never struck me as peculiar, but it was as if he gave everything to his work and then had nothing, zero, left for himself afterwards,’ they added.
The source said they never noticed signs of depression, but said that the host was often so exhausted, he didn’t resemble the enigmatic Tony fans had come to know and love.
‘He was not especially cheerful or engaging, off camera, but it was never rude or ill-intentioned. The guy was absolutely exhausted,’ the source continued.
Bourdain was found dead unresponsive in his hotel room in France by friend and French chef Eric Ripert, according to CNN.
Meal time: Anthony Bourdain (above earlier this week in France) dined out at Wistub La Petite Venise a few days before his death
New friends: He and his friend Eric Ripert (second left) took photos with the staff after their meal, and the two men could be seen smiling in one group photo posted to social media
Ripert had joined Bourdain, as he often did, for an episode of the chef’s show.
Pictures from the filming show Bourdain in seemingly high spirits, smiling as the pair enjoyed lunch in the French village of Kaysersberg, dining at Wistub La Petite Venise.
Julien Schroeder is the owner and chef of La Petite Venise. He said Friday that he served the typical regional meal to Bourdain and Eric Ripert, co-owner of New York’s famed Le Bernardin, while cameras rolled. Schroeder says a table of Americans didn’t check the menu, instead requesting ‘what Mr. Bourdain is having.’
Bourdain’s body was discovered in on Friday. He died of an apparent suicide.
Schroeder says Bourdain and Ripert didn’t notice the cameras as they talked food, and he could feel that ‘it came naturally.’
Just a couple of days before his alleged suicide, he and Ripert were snapped riding a tandem bike together for the show.
Ripert has not spoken in detail about what happened, but did release a statement, calling Bourdain his ‘best friend.’
‘An exceptional human being, so inspiring & generous. One of the great storytellers who connected w so many,’ said Ripert. ‘I pray he is at peace from the bottom of my heart. My love & prayers are also w his family, friends and loved ones.’
Bourdain’s relentless schedule has seem him bounce from his home town of New York City, to Bali, Florence, Italy, and France in just over a month.
He detailed many of his trips on social media, sharing touching photos of himself holding long term girlfriend Asia Argento in Florence, or attending a funeral in Bali.
And in April, he sat down for an interview over lunch at a New York eaterie, with fellow CNN stalwart Anderson Cooper.
Work work work: Bourdain was filming at the restaurant for his popular CNN show Parts Unknown
On display: Bourdain later posted a photo of his meal to Instagram, in what was his last ever post (Bourdain above filming)
Personal touch: The staff was in shock when they learned the news of Bourdain’s death on Friday (server clears Bourdain’s table earlier this week)
‘He was always very, very tried. He pushed himself extremely hard. Most producers and crew don’t work on every single episode, it’s just too much especially if you have a family. But that wasn’t an option for Tony. We never had any sense of depression or mental illness.’
Bourdain has previously opened up about his struggles with mental health and his wish to be ‘happier.’
‘I’d like to be happy. I’d like to be happier,’ the host told a therapist on a televised session for a November 2016 episode titled ‘Buenos Aires.’
‘I should be happy. I have incredible luck. I’d like to be able to look out the window and say, ‘Yay, life is good.’
When asked whether Bourdain ever feels that way, he replied: ‘No.’
Bourdain said that the dark cloud of depression was never far away.
‘I will find myself in an airport, for instance, and I’ll order an airport hamburger,’ he told the shrink. ‘It’s an insignificant thing, it’s a small thing, it’s a hamburger, but it’s not a good one. Suddenly I look at the hamburger and I find myself in a spiral of depression that can last for days.’
Bourdain began as a chef in New York City (pictured in undated photograph) before writing a tell-all book exposing restaurants
His work later took him all over the world, and allowed him to meet stars and world leaders (pictured having lunch with then-President Barack Obama in Vietnam)
Pictured during his recent trip to Hong Kong, the episode of which has just bene televised, with members of the crew
He also talked about feeling ‘very isolated’ and feeling like something of an impostor when he stayed in luxury hotels for the show.
‘I feel like Quasimodo, the hunchback of Notre Dame. If he stayed in nice hotel suites with high thread count sheets, that would be me. ‘I feel kind of like a freak,’ he told the therapist.
He also discussed his difficulty connecting with his loved ones.
‘I communicate for a living, but I’m terrible with communicating with people I care about,’ he said. ‘I’m good with my daughter. An 8-year-old is about my level of communication skills, so that works out. But beyond that I’m really terrible.’
Bourdain has also talked in the past about his need to stay busy, to stay motivated, as a way to avoid depression.
He told People he had no plans to retire any time soon because ‘I’m just too nervous, neurotic, driven,’ he said.
‘I would have had a different answer a few years ago. I might have deluded myself into thinking that I’d be happy in a hammock or gardening. But no, I’m quite sure I can’t.
His girlfriend of two years Asia Argento released a statement in the wake of his death which read: ‘Anthony gave all of himself in everything that he did. His brilliant, fearless spirit touched and inspired so many, and his generosity knew no bounds.
‘He was my love, my rock, my protector. I am beyind devestated.
‘My thoughts and prayers are with his family. I would ask that your respect their privacy and mine.’
Bourdain and Argento had also both posted a black-and-white photo from Florence of the two btaken on May 26, with the chef writing: ‘An eventful week. On the battlefield and off. Making art . Every motherf***ing day.’
That was a reference to the fact that Harvey Weinstein had been booked and charged just two days prior, thanks to the bravery of Argento and others.
Bourdain shared other photos of the two in Florence and would often document their time together while praising the actress.
‘Just a perfect day You made me forget myself @asiaargento,’ he said in April while sharing a selfie of the two.
Argento also posted that same image, writing: ‘I’ll stick with you baby for a thousand years, nothing’s gonna touch you in these golden years, gold.’
Notes, photographs and flowers are left in memory of Anthony Bourdain at the closed location of Brasserie Les Halles, where Bourdain used to work as the executive chef, in New York City
A man looks at notes and photographs left in memory of Anthony Bourdain at the closed location of Brasserie Les Halles, where Bourdain used to work
‘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. 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 president Jeff Zucker said in an email to employees on Friday: ‘Tony was an exceptional talent. Tony will be greatly missed not only for his work but also for the passion with which he did it.’
Friends and colleagues of American TV celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain are saying they’re shocked and heartbroken over his death.
Chef Gordon Ramsay tweeted he was stunned and saddened. Ramsay wrote that Bourdain ‘brought the world into our homes and inspired so many people to explore cultures.’
Bourdain was found dead in France on Friday while working on his CNN series. The network called his death a suicide.
‘Bizarre Foods’ host Andrew Zimmern wrote that a piece of his heart ‘is truly broken.’ Zimmern said ‘the sad cruel irony’ is that in the last year, Bourdain had never been happier.
Actor and former ‘Man v. Food’ host Adam Richman tweeted ‘Why?’ Richman said his heart was with Bourdain.
For confidential help, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or click here
For confidential support on suicide matters in the UK, call the Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90, visit a local Samaritans branch or click here
For confidential support in Australia, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or click here