Anne Burrell's ill-fated plans for her future revealed after ditching hit show before tragic death
The celebrity chef — who famously hosted Secrets of a Restaurant Chef and co-hosted Worst Cooks in America — had plans to expand her horizons as she had ambitions to try her hand at acting and was even taking improv classes before her tragic passing at 55.
She appeared on Tori Spelling's Misspelling podcast back in March and said: 'Interestingly, I just started taking acting classes. I started yesterday, actually... It's like an improv for actors' class.
'I got there and it's like eight people in the class. I'm the oldest one. Every other person has like, "Oh, I have a master's in fine arts in theater."'
Burrell showed off her self-awareness and sense of humor that her fans were familiar with as she joked about the age gap between she and her fellow students.
She said: 'I'm like, "okay, I've never taken an acting class. I don't know, this is new to me."
'I wonder if these delightful and super talented kids look at me and they're like, "What's this old lady doing here?"'
The television personality had taken a break from her show Worst Cooks In America for season 28 which baffled many fans and Spelling, 52, asked at the time what led her to that decision.
Burrell answered: 'I can cook, yes, I can do TV, but also, what else? I've got more to do in my life, I feel like.'
She also admitted that she was just 'dipping my toe' when it came to the pivot to acting.
Burrell explained: 'I feel very excited about it. I've got a few other things that I'm working on as well, which I'm not quite ready to share yet. Hopefully, exciting [are] things coming.'
This comes amid news that her shock death investigation has taken another twist as chilling new information emerged about the scene where the chef was found dead on Tuesday.
The beloved Food Network star died at age 55 at her Brooklyn, New York apartment.
Law enforcement sources told TMZ a large quantity of 'unknown pills' were found around where Burrell died while a separate source claimed to The Pos t the pill quantity was in the 'dozens.'
Insiders had previously revealed Burrell was found unresponsive and lying on the shower floor by her husband Stuart Claxton early Tuesday morning.
Claxton reportedly last saw his wife alive at approximately 1AM the night prior before discovering her unconscious between six to seven hours later in their bathroom.
DailyMail.com has contacted representatives for Food Network and Burrell for comment but did not immediately hear back.
Claxton contacted 911 and was allegedly advised by the operator to perform CPR on Burrell.
However, her body was said to be cold and it is not known if he performed CPR.
A possible cause of death has now been indicated by the 911 call, with the New York Fire Department confirming to Daily Mail that they were responding to a report of a cardiac arrest at 7.50am on Tuesday.
She was found unresponsive in her Brooklyn, New York, home by police. In a statement to Daily Mail, the New York City Police Department confirmed that they were called to an address in Brooklyn in response to a report about an 'unconscious and unresponsive' 55-year-old female.
The woman was pronounced dead at the scene. The cause of death has not yet been reported by the Office of Chief Medical Examiner, with an investigation ongoing.
TMZ reports that EMS attempted CPR on Burrell but could not resuscitate her.
Meanwhile many of Burrell's fellow Food Network personalities have paid tribute to her.
Most recently, Andrew Zimmern gave a touching speech about his friend at the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen on Thursday evening.
The 63-year-old The Big Food Truck Tip host got emotional as he said: 'This week we lost Anne. And I know our entire community is beyond saddened.'
He called her 'such a beautiful, gifted soul' while adding that she was a 'trailblazer on the Food Network.'
Zimmern described his friend as 'a brash, bold, loud New Yorker, and a woman who had a tremendous capacity for love.'
He also described her as being 'in the prime of life taken from us too soon' and admitted that dealing with her death has become 'so difficult.'
Zimmern went on to plea with those on hand to care for others in the food community.
He said: 'This community puts a lot of weight on how much we want to care for each other and we've done such an incredible job of it over the last 10 years.
'I can't think of another community that has done such an incredible job looking out for each other, but I honestly don't think we're doing enough. When we lose someone like Anne, I don't think we're doing enough.'
He also urged those in attendance to live it up including joking, eating, drinking, dancing, and even doing karaoke because it is what Burrell would have wanted.
'Anne was a beloved wife, sister, daughter, stepmother, and friend — her smile lit up every room she entered,' her family said in a statement obtained by DailyMail.com Tuesday.
'Anne's light radiated far beyond those she knew, touching millions across the world. Though she is no longer with us, her warmth, spirit, and boundless love remain eternal,' they shared.
A Food Network spokesperson added, 'Anne was a remarkable person and culinary talent – teaching, competing and always sharing the importance of food in her life and the joy that a delicious meal can bring.
'Our thoughts are with Anne's family, friends and fans during this time of tremendous loss.'
The TV chef - who became synonymous with her trademark spiky platinum hair - is survived by husband Stuart Claxton, whom she wed in October 2021 in an autumn-themed ceremony and reception in her hometown of Cazenovia, New York.
She is also survived by her mother Marlene and sister Jane and her children Isabella, Amelia and Nicolas, and her brother Ben.
Anne developed a passion for cooking at a young age, inspired by her mother's home-cooked meals and by watching food icon Julia Child on television.
After earning a degree in English and Communications from Canisius College in Buffalo in 1991, she followed her culinary dreams and enrolled at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, graduating in 1996.
She worked at a whole host of New York City hotspots including Felidia and Savoy in Soho, where she honed her craft in Mediterranean cuisine.
She was later thrust into the spotlight and became best known as the longtime host of Worst Cooks in America.
The show, which ran for 28 seasons, saw celebrated chefs mentor amateur cooks in an attempt to transform them from rookies to kitchen experts.
Elsewhere, she appeared on Chef Wanted, Chopped, Food Network Star, and most recently, competition series House of Knives - which premiered in March this year.
The famed chef also penned two of her own cookbooks - Cook Like a Rock Star and Own Your Kitchen: Recipes to Inspire & Empower.
Heartbroken fans have flooded to leave comments on her most recent Instagram post that was shared just four days ago.
'This can't be true. Chef Anne you were vivacious, hilarious, full of life and reminded me of my Mom. I'm so, so sorry. Rest with the Angels in Heaven and cook up a storm for us,' one wrote.
'Prayers for your family. This feels so unexpected!
'You were always one of our all time favorite chefs and seemed like a great person! I'm sure you'll be missed by many!' someone else shared.
'RIP ANNE! I can't believe this! We lost a good one!' one wrote.
'I was such a fan of you. I had been watching Worst Cooks for YEARS and just recently started watching newer seasons.
'I am so sad. May you rest in peace,' another penned.
Gigi Hadid, who famously appeared on the cooking competition series Beat Bobby Flay with Burrell, led the celebrities expressing their heartbreak over Burrell's death.
'I am heartbroken to hear of the loss of the Great Anne Burrell,' the supermodel, 30, began.
Hadid included a photo of herself and Burrell from their time filming Beat Bobby Flay back in 2023.
'As a longtime fan, getting to share this day with her was a dream come true. Beat Bobby. Hang. Eat,' she recalled.
'I wish we could have done it again. She was awesome. Rest in Peace Legend.'
Chef Carla Hall, who previously appeared on Food Network's Top Chef, called Burrell an 'incredible cook and teacher.'
Queer Eye for the Straight Guy star Carson Kressley, who was a close friend of Burrell's, revealed that he spoke to her just days before her death.
He also shared a post to his own Instagram page which included a photo of him and Burrell.
'Rest easy, Chef Anne. I'm so blessed I was able to work with you, learn from you, laugh with you. So many memories - on screen and off - I cherish this photo of us living our best lives, as the kids say,' Kressley wrote.
'It's one of my favorite memories - just swimming in the ocean after a great lunch. Good food, good friends and lots of love and laughter all around.
'That's what I wish for you where you are now . I'll see you again someday, dear friend.'
To conclude the tribute, Kressley revealed that 'Anne loved this photo of us so I know she'd be happy I chose this one.'
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