911 call: Chef Anne Burrell may have suffered cardiac arrest before death
Celebrity chef Anne Burrell may have gone into cardiac arrest before she suddenly died in her Brooklyn apartment this week.
Officers with the NYPD found Burrell unresponsive inside her Brooklyn home on Tuesday around 7:50 a.m., after a 911 caller reported that the chef had seemingly gone into cardiac arrest, a spokesperson for the NYC Fire Department told TMZ. Paramedics were unable to revive her and the Food Network star was pronounced dead on the scene. She was 55 years old.
Burrell's official cause of death has not yet been confirmed by the Office of Chief Medical Examiner and an investigation into the matter is ongoing. Few other details have been provided.
Burrell, beloved for her high-energy and enthusiasm for all things for food, became a fan favorite at the Food Network with her signature spiky platinum blonde hair. She got her start as a sous chef on 'Iron Chef America,' but she's perhaps best known for her role on 'Worst Cooks in America,' during which worked to whip struggling chefs into shape.
With more than 200 culinary competitions under her belt, she also appeared on shows including 'Chef Wanted,' 'Chopped,' 'Food Network Star' and the new series, 'House of Knives,' which debuted in March.
'Anne was a beloved wife, sister, daughter, stepmother, and friend — her smile lit up every room she entered,' her family said in a statement.
'Anne's light radiated far beyond those she knew, touching millions across the world,' it continued. 'Though she is no longer with us, her warmth, spirit, and boundless love remain eternal.'
Burrell is survived by her husband, Stuart Claxton, whom she married in October 2021, and his son, Javier.
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Remembering Anne Burrell: the brilliant chef who welcomed me into her home — and her heart
Anne Burrell was a friend to all. The celebrated chef's magnetic energy and palpable zest for life captivated millions of fans from every corner of the earth — on screen and off — before her heart-wrenching, untimely passing this week. I, myself, a Page Six reporter for almost a decade, have learned to be somewhat skeptical when meeting my Hollywood heroes — but Anne won me over instantaneously. I first had the honor of meeting the Food Network star last summer while filming a video tour of her impeccably curated maximalist loft in Brooklyn, NY. Her longtime publicist and good friend, Jaret Keller, had made the introduction (for which I will forever be grateful). My small yet scrappy team of journalists comprised of our photo director, photographer and videographer were welcomed into Anne's cozy home, quite literally, with open arms. Anne — wearing a colorful polka-dot dress perfectly mirroring her vibrant spirit — gave us each a warm hug upon our arrival before offering us beverages and snacks like the true entertainer she was. Then, without missing a beat, the 'Worst Cooks In America' host seamlessly shifted into on-camera mode for the interview. She was a total professional. We spent the afternoon with Anne as she guided us through some of her most treasured spaces and prized possessions: a cherished photo of her and her husband, Stuart Claxton; her stunning terrace where she hosted dinner parties and savored quiet moments with her beloved cats, Nancy and Marcia; and her stepson's British Invasion-themed bedroom, which she fondly described as 'very, like, 'All You Need Is Love.'' 'Everything here is a little crooked, and I think that suits me just well,' she said of her charmingly wonky abode, adding warmly, 'I think I'm a little crooked, so I feel right at home here.' When the shoot wrapped, she mixed up her signature Aperol Spritzes and we toasted to a job well done and our newly formed friendships. Usually, for reporters, interactions with public figures will stop there. But Anne followed up in my Instagram DMs to share how much she loved getting to know us all. 'Thank you SO much!!!! Really absolutely FANTASTIC!!! Please thank everyone on the team!!!' she wrote to me, adding, 'Everything about this experience was just dreamy!!!!!' The restaurateur, who admitted in our TikTok Q&A that she's not a fan of kale, then sent a hilarious meme about a 'pro tip' for cooking the leafy greens: 'If you stir coconut oil into your kale, it makes it easier to scrape into the trash.' That was Anne in a nutshell: quick-witted and kind, firing off jokes, making everyone feel special and always the life of the party. I came to learn that first-hand nearly five months later when she attended Page Six Night at Ray's Hometown Bar in the Lower East Side as one of our celebrity guests. Joined by Keller and Claxton, Anne beamed as she bounced around the soirée celebrating the Page Six x Ray's hat collaboration launch. While Anne politely declined to wear the newspaper-hued snapbacks (so as not to ruin her famously spiky blond hairdo, she told me in a cheeky whisper) she flitted around the fête to partake in dancing, genuine conversation and a full-on photo shoot on the dive bar's shag carpet-covered stairwell. Having recently gotten engaged, I remember telling her how much I admired her beautiful 7-tiered wedding cake made by 'Cake Boss' star Buddy Valastro. The compliment prompted her to hand me her phone and demand that I add my number so she could connect me with the baker. That's the kind of caring confidant she was — going out of her way to make people happy with food, friendship and endless helpings of love. The esteemed 'Secrets of a Restaurant Chef' alum's time on earth was tragically cut short when she died in her New York City home at the age of 55. First responders pronounced her dead at the scene June 17. A 911 caller claimed that she went into cardiac arrest before passing away; however, her cause of death has not yet been revealed and an investigation is ongoing. Her family told Page Six in a statement that Anne will be remembered as a 'beloved wife, sister, daughter, stepmother, and friend.' 'Her smile lit up every room she entered,' the family said. As the culinary world says goodbye to a dear friend and Food Network icon, I take comfort in knowing that Anne's compassionate heart and remarkable legacy will never be forgotten.
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an hour ago
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Food Network Stars React To Anne Burrell's Death
On Tuesday, the world was devastated to learn that beloved Food Network star Anne Burrell had died at age 55. While her cause of death is unknown, it's believed she suffered a cardiac event, just hours after returning home from an improv show. Soon after the news of her death broke, several celebrities took to the internet to mourn her loss. Rachael Ray said she and her husband, John Cusimano, were devastated. "The news about Anne has truly shaken us," she wrote alongside a series of photos with Anne, including at her 2021 wedding to executive Stuart Claxton, where Rachael served as a bridesmaid. "I can't quite believe it — such a strong, vibrant, fearless woman, so full of life and love, could be gone so soon." Chopped's Scott Conant wrote that he was "deeply affected" by Anne's death: "Anne and I shared a long, vibrant journey through the world of Italian restaurants in the '90s and 2000s. We were friends for over 30 years, sharing countless laughs, navigating life's challenges, even swapping astrologers and fortune tellers. Her presence was truly remarkable, her competitive spirit unmatched. I'm heartbroken and will deeply miss my dear friend, peer and cherished colleague." Chef Tyler Florence called her one of the funniest and "brightest" people he's ever met. "Anne had a collage of star tattoos on her left arm. I asked her what they meant and she said she loved the night sky. And, how lucky she felt to be a star. She was one of the brightest. There's a new star in the sky tonight. I see you Anne. With all your sparkle, looking down. Thank you for sharing your gift with us. We're all lucky." Carla Hall from Worst Cooks of America remembered Anne as "a fierce chef and instructor" with cool "custom skirts, mismatched socks, and that unforgettable big smile." "She had an electric presence in and out of the kitchen—an incredible chef, a joyful spirit, and a passionate philanthropist," said Food Network star Marcus Samuelsson. "I'll always cherish the time we spent together at events, on set, and supporting causes like City Harvest." Chef Aarón Sánchez praised everything about his "dear friend," including "her spirit, her fire, her talent, her leadership, [and] her laugh." "So much respect and love for this amazing woman," he continued. "I'll carry her memory with me always. Rest easy, amiga. 💔" Maneet Chauhan from Chopped thanked Anne for "making cooking fearless, fun and inspiring the next generation of young girls/ kids to dare to follow their dreams and to feel that they belong." "The kitchen and won't be the same without you," she added, "but your spirit will always be with us. 💫 Rest in Peace Chef!!" Eric Adjepong, who appeared alongside Anne on Wildcard Kitchen, reportedly reacted to the "incredibly sad" news of her death on Instagram. "My heart to Chef Anne's family and friends," he wrote. "What a loss. RIP Chef." Chris Santos said the news of Anne's death left him speechless. "I'm not usually lost for words but are just no words," he wrote. "All I can muster is to say that I'll miss you very much my friend, and I will never forget our days working and hanging out together, always having so much fun." Bizarre Foods host Andrew Zimmern posted a throwback photo on Instagram alongside a beaming Anne. "How I choose to remember people. Happy and laughing and believing that anything in life is possible," he said. "Sending all our love to her family, friends, and fans. An unnecessary loss is just the hardest to handle and this one really hurts. Nothing but love for all right now, especially Anne." Chef and host Alex Guarnaschelli encouraged fans to celebrate Anne like she would have wanted. "Make this moment about her," she said. "She'd want you to go out, raise a glass, sing karaoke (including this Sia song--one of her favorite 'Worst Cooks' warm up songs) and be able to say, like she does, #ilovewhatido --so do it for her. In her honor." Vivica A. Fox, who appeared on Worst Cooks and Beat Bobby Flay, remembered working with Anne in a moving statement to People. She said, "Anne taught me all about good food! I had a BLAST working with her and going to her restaurant for a good meal. I'll miss her kindness, smile and great hair! May she rest in paradise." Chopped judge Tiffani Faison shared a picture of Anne on Instagram and wrote, "Rest easy, Chef." Kardea Brown from Delicious Miss Brown said she was in "utter disbelief." "I was always impressed with how fierce she was in competitions and how she supported her friends & family," tweeted Simon Majumdar, who appeared on shows like Cutthroat Kitchen and Iron Chef America. "Rest in Peace. Rise in Glory." Gigi Hadid paid tribute to the chef while remembering when they worked together on Beat Bobby Flay, an experience she called "a dream come true." "I wish we could have done it again," she added. "She was awesome. Rest in Peace Legend." Chopped judge Amanda Freitag wrote on Instagram, "Rest in peace chef," alongside a black and white photo of Anne. "I am so incredibly sad to hear of the passing of my friend @AnneBurrell today!" tweeted RuPaul's Drag Race star Ginger Minj. "I hope you are rocking out and cooking up a feast tonight!" Finally, Loni Love, who appeared on Worst Cooks, said Anne's death left her in "shock and sorrow." She continued, "She was a gifted chef, and an extraordinary person. Chef Anne was the same on and off camera. She would just check on me out the blue. I will miss her tremendously. My condolences to her husband, family, & fans. Rest Chef."
