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Celebrities, Journalists React to Anthony Bourdain's Death

Former President Barack Obama, who appeared on Anthony Bourdain's CNN show, said he taught people about food's ability "to make us a little less afraid of the unknown"

After the death of famed chef and award-winning storyteller Anthony Bourdain, celebrities and journalists took to Twitter on Friday to honor the "friend of food and culture" and share resources for suicide prevention.

Director and actress Asia Argento, Bourdain's girlfriend, released a statement calling Bourdain her "rock" and "protector."

"Anthony gave all of himself in everything that he did," she wrote. "His brilliant, fearless spirit touched and inspired so many, and his generosity knew no bounds. He was my love, my rock, my protector. I am beyond devastated. My thoughts are with his family. I would ask that you respect their privacy and mine."

Argento directed the June 3 episode of Bourdain's CNN show "Parts Unknown" that took place in Hong Kong. She also appeared on an earlier episode in her native Italy.

Friend and chef Eric Ripert, who found Bourdain unresponsive in his hotel room Friday morning and who appeared on several episodes of Bourdain's various shows, shared a photo of the two on Twitter. Ripert wrote in a tweet that his "best friend" was an "exceptional human being, so inspiring & generous. One of the great storytellers who connected w so many. I pray he is at peace from the bottom of my heart. My love & prayers are also w his family, friends and loved ones."

Former President Barack Obama shared a photo of himself having a beer with Bourdain in Hanoi, Vietnam, during a 2016 episode "Parts Unknown."

"He taught us about food — but more importantly, about its ability to bring us together. To make us a little less afraid of the unknown. We’ll miss him," Obama wrote.

Scientist and author Neil deGrasse Tyson also shared a memory of Bourdain appearing on an episode of his podcast, "StarTalk."

Tyson tweeted: "A friend of @StarTalkRadio. A friend of Food & Culture. A friend to us all."

Actress and activist Rose McGowan reacted to his death in an emotional video, which was posted to and has since been deleted from Twitter.

"For those considering suicide, please don't," McGowan said. "Please call for help, because it is a permanent solution to a temporary problem. It's not forever."

She spoke of Argento, who she said has "been through so much." McGowan and Argento have been leading voices in the #MeToo movement.

"You were so loved, the world is not better without you," McGowan wrote.

"Today" host Savannah Guthrie wrote that she was "heartbroken" about Bourdain's death and shared a photo of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK.

Read more reactions to Bourdain's death below.

https://twitter.com/rosemcgowan/status/1005071100064215040

Here is information on suicide prevention from the National Institute of Mental Health. If you are in crisis, you can also reach out to the Crisis Text Line by texting ‘Home’ to 741741.

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