Fans and loved ones are still in disbelief after the unexpected death of TV chef Anne Burrell, who was found unresponsive at her Brooklyn home on June 17, 2025. The 55-year-old was pronounced dead shortly after, and the cause is yet to be determined, pending autopsy results.
Those close to Burrell said she had been in great spirits the night before, enjoying the final session of her improv class at The Second City in Brooklyn. Friends who were with her that evening recalled her being joyful and energetic, making the news even harder to process.
In the weeks leading up to her passing, her social media had been full of upbeat posts about her improv classes and upcoming performances. Her last photo was a cheerful snapshot with Elizabeth Eaton Rosenthal, known locally as the “Green Lady of Brooklyn.”
Born in 1969, Burrell broke into television in the early 2000s and became a household name through cooking shows like Iron Chef America, Chopped, and Worst Cooks in America. A bestselling cookbook author as well, she leaves behind her husband Stuart Claxton, his son Javier, her mother Marlena, and her siblings Jane and Ben.
In a heartfelt message, her family wrote, “Anne was a beloved wife, sister, daughter, stepmother, and friend whose smile could light up a room. Her light touched millions of people, and though she is gone, her warmth and love will live on forever.”
