Prominent Black figures from media, entertainment and sports mourned the death of Emmy-winning chef, writer and television personality Anthony Bourdain on Friday (June 8).

Bourdain, 61, the host of CNN’s Parts Unknown, was found dead in his Strasbourg, France hotel room from an apparent suicide, reports CNN. He was in the country working on a segment for his award-winning series. Bourdain was found unresponsive by his friend and fellow chef, Eric Ripert.

“It is with extraordinary sadness we can confirm the death of our friend and colleague, Anthony Bourdain,” the network 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.”

Bourdain’s honesty about his struggles in life and his appreciation for simple food and traveling allowed him to connect with a wide audience. With his death coming just days after iconic fashion designer Kate Spade took her life by suicide, many people have spoken out about the importance of mental health.

D.L. Hughley

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A post shared by realdlhughley (@realdlhughley) on Jun 8, 2018 at 6:08am PDT

Carla Hall

I am gutted and saddened upon hearing the news of @Bourdain, a beloved presence in the culinary community. You will be missed. pic.twitter.com/GIAijn3jIL

— Carla Hall (@carlahall) June 8, 2018

Wendy Williams

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Chef, author and TV host Anthony Bourdain, has died of an apparent suicide, according to CNN. He was 61. "It is with extraordinary sadness we can confirm the death of our friend and colleague, Anthony Bourdain," CNN said. "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." #RIP #anthonybourdain #cnn #partsunknown

A post shared by Wendy Williams (@wendyshow) on Jun 8, 2018 at 5:15am PDT

Leslie Jones

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Man I can’t believe Anthony Bourdain killed himself. It’s so sad cause he looked like a guy who lived life. You never know what’s going on with people yo. Be kind to folks. Shit be kind to yourself. It’s easier said than done but ask for help!! Mental heath is real!! #pleasenomore

A post shared by Leslie Jones (@lesdogggg) on Jun 8, 2018 at 6:51am PDT

Niecy Nash

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Very sad news, that Anthony Bourdain has passed away. Cause was suicide. . Mental health matters. If you are trying to keep up with life, feel overwhelmed, know that you are not alone. Reach out to the @blackdoginst for support and resources, talk to a friend, doctor, someone. Because you matter. There is help. And if you are a friend of someone who you know is struggling, please…ask them if they are ok. Just as the question #ruok?

A post shared by Niecy Nash (@niecynash1) on Jun 8, 2018 at 6:21am PDT

Jermaine Dupri

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#Repost @shantidas404 … we have a real problem in this country and world. The CDC just issued a report saying that “Nearly 45,000 lives were lost to suicide in 2016 and that Suicide rates went up more than 30% in half of states from 1999 -2016.” What I can tell you is that THIS can happen to anyone, no one is immune to it BUT we have to continue educating ourselves, our families and our communities. It doesn’t matter if you are rich or poor, tall or short, educated or not. Depression can lead to substance abuse and that can lead one down a very dark path. Let’s support those we love and remember you can’t support yourself or a loved one unless YOU know the facts. Visit @800273talk or @namicommunicate or if in crisis text SILENCE to 741741. 🙏🏾😢🦋 #silencetheshame @silencetheshame @hhpf.co

A post shared by Jermaine Dupri (@jermainedupri) on Jun 8, 2018 at 6:40am PDT

Ebro Darden

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#RIPAnthonyBordain …..

A post shared by Ebro Darden (@oldmanebro) on Jun 8, 2018 at 7:17am PDT

Neil deGrasse Tyson

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

Titus O’Neil

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My Heart is saddened to hear the news of my friend Anthony Bourdain. He was Always a pleasure to talk to and I appreciated the Friend he allowed me to be to him and his close loved ones. Prayers to the family and friends of this phenomenal storyteller 🙏🏿❤️ @apollowwe @sashabankswwe @realtozawa

A post shared by Titus Oneil (@titusoneilwwe) on Jun 8, 2018 at 4:47am PDT

Lena Waithe

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You know why I don’t eat airplane food.. because in an interview he said he never does. When he talked about food we listened. I’m gonna miss this man. RIP Anthony .

A post shared by Lena Waithe (@lenawaithe) on Jun 8, 2018 at 7:08am PDT

Mike Colter

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Hey guys we lost another one this week. First Kate Spade then Anthony Bourdain. Sad news indeed. Money doesn’t necessarily guarantee happiness but unemployment and or extreme hardship isn’t helpful either. Lets keep an eye on the people around us and be aware of signals. Give our friends and family our time when at all possible. Lets make our lives about finding a purpose to wake up in the morning, each day. Life seems short but without purpose it feels unbearably long. Lets find something that makes our days short so we always wish they were longer. To do more of whatever it is that makes us truly happy🙏🏿 Anyone out there feeling down or purposeless? #depressionisreal

A post shared by Mike Colter (@realmikecolter) on Jun 8, 2018 at 7:59am PDT

Marlon Wayans

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Thank you for making me unafraid to travel, explore, indulge in new things, embrace different cultures and eat strange foods. Thank you for teaching us all to live our best life. #ripanthonybordain #legend

A post shared by Marlon Wayans (@marlonwayans) on Jun 8, 2018 at 6:15am PDT

Loni Love

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Oh Tony … you will be missed … I will always remember you when you went to the Congo… You took me there and I will never forget it… #ripanthonyBourdain (swipe left)

A post shared by Loni Love (@comiclonilove) on Jun 8, 2018 at 6:09am PDT

Tasha Smith

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Anthony Bourdain made food and travel divine!!! One of my food and travel inspirations, every time I watched his show i would write down new places I wanted to visit and new foods I wanted to taste. God bless Anthony’s family and May his soul Rest In Peace. #RIP #anthonybourdain #partsunknown

A post shared by Tasha4realsmith (@tasha4realsmith) on Jun 8, 2018 at 7:06am PDT

Questlove

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reposted: @questlovesfood Just saw the news this morning about Anthony Bourdain’s passing. I have so many thoughts about him—memories, emotions, and unanswered questions—that right now it’s sort of a jumble. I feel so thankful for him to introducing me to a world I never knew, the world of food and especially food around the world. It was through Anthony that I learned about the sushi master Jiro Ono was and that recommendation (seeing the Jiro doc & making a pilgrimage to Tokyo by any means necessary) singlehandedly changed the course of my professional and creative life. Anthony also believed, and talked often, about how all forms of creativity were connected: how chefs and drummers and comedians and actors and directors and painters all drew on the same well of thoughts and emotions. That feeling stuck with me. Watching him take trips to faraway lands to get a taste of heaven (and, just as often, to show how life on earth can be hell for people under the thumb of cruel governments or oppressive poverty) was the equivalent of my many trips to obscure record shops continents away. Lastly I’ll miss our endless banter about the merits (or lack therof) of Yacht Rock. Anthony came on Fallon often, and every time he liked to warn me that his walk-on music better have “some umph to it.” He wanted power and attitude. I’d agree with him, and then I’d play another Billy Joel song, which infuriated him. A few years back, to thank him for writing the foreword to my book, I started the ultimate troll project, though I never got to give it to him. We had an “argument” over Herb Alpert’s “Route 101”: I made the case that the song’s good-feeling/good-time vibe couldn’t be denied, and he made the case that he denied it, and the more heated the argument got the more we laughed. I told him imma make him the mother of smooth-pop playlists and then he would see the light. I’m finishing that playlist, and when I do, I’ll name it after him, just so I can imagine that laugh of his.

A post shared by Questlove Gomez (@questlove) on Jun 8, 2018 at 5:56am PDT

Porsha Williams

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Wow I fell like I traveled the world with him… I’ve seen pretty much every episode! Rest In Peace #AnthonyBourdain 💔🙏🏾 #BestStoryteller #Chef #Author ( National Suicide Prevention Hotline: tel:1-800-273-8255)

A post shared by #PorshaWilliams (@porsha4real) on Jun 8, 2018 at 6:14am PDT

Fat Joe

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So long Anthony always been a huge fan RIP

A post shared by FAT JOE (@fatjoe) on Jun 8, 2018 at 8:34am PDT

Nicole Ari Parker

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This man dedicated his life to finding the ways we connect as humans all around the world..love laughter sadness happiness hope faith and food. Mr. Bourdain. 1956-2018 RIP

A post shared by nicoleariparker (@nicoleariparker) on Jun 8, 2018 at 6:48am PDT

Ashley Nicole Black

“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

Victor Cruz

Please check on the people you care about. A simple call or visit could save someone’s life. Waking up to these untimely deaths are disheartening and sad 😔. R.I.P #KateSpade #AnthonyBourdain

— Victor Cruz (@TeamVic) June 8, 2018