Anne Burrell, the wildly charismatic Food Network chef known for her spiky platinum hair and larger-than-life presence in the kitchen, has tragically passed away at the age of 55.
What’s even more heartbreaking is the growing concern that her death may have been the result of a drug overdose.
She was found unresponsive in the shower of her Brooklyn apartment, surrounded by nearly 100 pills.
What Happened in Anne’s Final Hours?
According to NYPD reports, Anne’s husband, Stuart Claxton, last saw her alive around 1 a.m. on Tuesday morning.
When he checked on her later that morning, between six and seven hours later, he found her unconscious in the bathroom.
Emergency services were called, but despite efforts to revive her, she was declared dead at the scene.
The New York City medical examiner has completed the autopsy, but the official cause of death is still pending.
A Life Celebrated, A Loss Deeply Felt
Anne’s family released a heartfelt statement following her passing:
“Anne was a beloved wife, sister, daughter, stepmother, and friend — her smile lit up every room she entered… her warmth, spirit, and boundless love remain eternal.”
Food Network also paid tribute to her legacy, describing her as a “remarkable person and culinary talent” who made food joyful and accessible for so many.
Just Hours Before, She Was Living Life to the Fullest
What makes this news even more surreal is that Anne had just performed in an improv comedy show in Brooklyn the night before she died.
She’d been taking acting classes—stepping outside her culinary comfort zone to explore new creative avenues.
In a recent podcast with Tori Spelling, she described herself as the oldest person in her acting class, laughing as she imagined the younger students wondering why she was there.
Still, she was eager to try something new, saying, “I’ve got more to do in my life, I feel like.”
Why She Stepped Back From Food Network
Earlier this year, fans noticed Anne had taken a break from Worst Cooks in America—a show she had helped make iconic.
When asked about it, she explained she wasn’t leaving food behind but wanted to explore new possibilities and challenge herself beyond the world of cooking shows.
“I can cook, yes, I can do TV, but also, what else?” she said, hinting at other exciting projects she wasn’t ready to reveal just yet.
Her Last Interview Showed a Woman in Love With Life
Back in April, Anne spoke with the Daily Mail at a City Harvest gala and described her marriage to Claxton as “still in the honeymoon phase.”
They had wed in 2021 during a cozy autumn wedding in her hometown of Cazenovia, New York.
She joked that it felt like they’d only been married for four minutes.
Anne also spoke playfully about joining Meghan Markle’s Netflix series, saying, “I’d go to the opening of an envelope. Why not cook with Meghan?”
Tributes From Celebrities and Fans
Following the news of her death, tributes poured in from fellow celebrities and chefs.
Supermodel Gigi Hadid, who had filmed Beat Bobby Flay with Anne in 2023, called her “a legend” and said it was a dream come true to work with her.
Chef Carla Hall remembered Anne as “an incredible cook and teacher,” while Carson Kressley, a close friend, posted a nostalgic photo of them on the beach together and wrote,
“Good food, good friends, and lots of love and laughter all around.
That’s what I wish for you where you are now.”
A Culinary Career That Made Food Fun Again
Anne’s passion for cooking started young—sparked by her mom’s home-cooked meals and Julia Child’s TV shows.
After getting a degree in communications, she followed her true passion and enrolled at the Culinary Institute of America.
Her career took her to NYC hotspots like Felidia and Savoy, and eventually into the hearts of millions through Food Network shows like Worst Cooks in America, Chef Wanted, Chopped, Food Network Star, and most recently House of Knives.
She also authored two popular cookbooks aimed at helping everyday people feel like kitchen stars.
Family, Love, and Legacy
Anne is survived by her husband Stuart, her mother Marlene, her sister Jane, her brother Ben, and Jane’s children Isabella, Amelia, and Nicolas.
Through her work, her humor, and her love of food, she touched countless lives.
Though the circumstances around her passing remain unclear, one thing is certain—Anne Burrell was a force of warmth, talent, and authenticity in a world that doesn’t always celebrate that kind of genuine joy.
Her legacy will live on in every home cook she inspired and every laugh she shared.