Burrell was best known as the longtime host of Food Network’s “Worst Cooks in America.”
WASHINGTON — New details are coming to light after the sudden death of Food Network star Anne Burrell at the age of 55.
Burrell was discovered unconscious and not showing any signs of responsiveness at her residence in Brooklyn on Tuesday morning, as per a communication from the New York City Police Department.
The authorities were summoned to her location prior to 8 a.m. on Tuesday and encountered an unresponsive female who was subsequently declared deceased. Although the police did not disclose the woman’s identity, public records indicate that it was indeed Burrell’s residence.
A cause of death for the 55-year-old spiky-haired celebrity chef was not immediately known and will be determined once an autopsy is conducted.
As per reports from People magazine, Burrell is believed to have experienced a cardiac arrest. People cited information from a 911 call record by the New York Fire Department, revealing that at 7:50 a.m., an individual contacted emergency services fearing that Burrell had suffered from cardiac arrest.
Her death came just hours after she had performed a show with her improv class on Monday.
Burrell shared on social media last week that she had been taking improv classes and that she would perform on June 16 at the Second City comedy club.
“Sooooooo… as I have mentioned I have been taking Improv classes @thesecondcitytc and having an ABSOLUTE blast!!! My class and I are coming to the end of this term and we get to do an actual show!!! If anyone is interested in stopping by on Monday June 16 at 9 pm @thesecondcity in Brooklyn please feel free!! We are a small but SUPER fun bunch!!” she said in her post.
The Second City comedy club issued a statement Wednesday following the celebrity chef’s death.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of our friend and student, Anne Burrell. She will be missed and remembered as a vibrant part of our Second City New York Training Center community. Anne brought joy, boldness, and an unwavering “yes, and” spirit. Her enthusiasm was contagious, her presence unforgettable. Our thoughts go out to Anne’s family and loved ones,” the comedy club said in a statement on social media.
Burrell was best known as the longtime host of Food Network’s “Worst Cooks in America,” where she transformed kitchen disasters into capable home cooks. Her trademark platinum spiky hair and boisterous laugh made her one of the network’s most recognizable personalities. She was a frequent judge on the network’s many popular competition shows, such as “Chopped.”
Burrell graduated from the Culinary Institute of America in 1996 and later trained at the Italian Culinary Institute for Foreigners. After working at acclaimed New York restaurants, Burrell transitioned to television in the early 2000s. She first gained national attention as a sous chef to Mario Batali on “Iron Chef America.”
Her breakout came with “Secrets of a Restaurant Chef,” which premiered on the Food Network in 2008 and ran for nine seasons, earning Emmy nominations. The show led to her starring role on “Worst Cooks in America,” which she hosted for 27 seasons.
Burrell also appeared on numerous Food Network programs including “Chef Wanted,” “Chopped” and “Food Network Star.”
Survivors include her husband, Stuart Claxton, whom she married in 2021, and his son, her mother and her two siblings.
“Anne’s light radiated far beyond those she knew, touching millions across the world,” the family said in a statement released by the Food Network.
