Anthony Bourdain, who has died at the age of 61 of apparent suicide, was a fiercely outspoken supporter of the #MeToo movement.
The chef’s girlfriend, Italian actressAsia Argentois one of the dozens of women to accuseHarvey Weinstein of sexual assaultand harassment (Weinstein has “unequivocally” denied “any allegations of non-consensual sex”).
Since going public with her story, Bourdain showed unwavering support for his girlfriend, and even held a dinner in November for Argento and fellow Weinstein accusersRose McGowanandAnnabella Sciorra.
“It was an honor to cook for this meeting of the minds,” he said on Twitter, tweeting out a picture of the meal.
“You are my sister and I love you,” Argentowrotealongside a photo of her and McGowan together at the time. “May all your dreams come true. I want this for you. They’re gonna come true @AnnabellSciorra and @Rosemcgowan,” she added.
McGowan shared the same photo on herInstagram account, writing: “Magical moments with @asiaargento & @iamannabellasciorra #WomenRise #Survivors #ROSEARMY.” She also taggedRonan Farrowin the photo, who has written numerous exposés on Weinstein forThe New Yorker.
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Bourdain immediately expressed his pride for Argento after the story was published in October, tweeting, “I am proud and honored to know you.”
And when Argento recently spoke out at the Cannes Film Festival, calling out Weinstein’s enablers in a fiery speech during the closing awards ceremony,Bourdain marveled at her couragetoIndieWire.
“It was absolutely fearless to walk right into the lion’s den and say what she said, the way she said it,” he said. “It was an incredibly powerful moment, I thought. I am honored to know someone who has the strength and fearlessness to do something like that.”
On May 25, when New York police arrested Weinstein, Bourdain tweeted to Argento: “When you went on record, @AsiaArgento you were sure this day would never come, that you would be crushed, that you were alone. And yet you did it anyway.”
Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic
CNN confirmed Bourdain’s death PEOPLE.“It is with extraordinary sadness we can confirm the death of our friend and colleague, Anthony Bourdain,” the network said in a statement. “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.”
A Strasbourg police spokesperson also confirmed Bourdain’s death to PEOPLE, but would not confirm the cause of death. The manner of death has been classified as a suicide.
If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), text “help” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 or go tosuicidepreventionlifeline.org.
source: people.com
