Kaylah Walton
Anne Burrell spent her last night engaging in a passion that brought her great happiness – performing improv comedy in Brooklyn, just a day before the Food Network star was discovered deceased at the age of 55 on June 17.
She was found at her residence in Brooklyn, where she was discovered unconscious and non-responsive around 7:50 a.m. Emergency services confirmed her passing at the scene as per the New York City Police Department.
The news of her death has deeply shocked family, friends, and fans, especially as she had seemed joyful the previous night while entertaining her audience.
Just hours before, Burrell had performed at The Second City New York in Brooklyn as part of her final improv class showcase. This event marked the conclusion of months of effort in a program that she wholeheartedly embraced.
‘Incredibly joyful’
Burrell had been sharing her improv journey on Instagram, expressing her enthusiasm for the experience. Just a week prior, on June 9, she posted about having an “ABSOLUTE blast” in her classes.
“Let me just say, this is SO much fun, and I’m learning a ton!!!,” Anne exclaimed back in March when she began her training. “It helps me break out of my shell… not that I needed it!!”
Who was Anne Burrell?
Her journey marked a significant shift for the individual who became well-known in the culinary scene, especially on television, with appearances on Iron Chef America, Chef Wanted, Chopped, and Worst Cooks in America.
Most recently, she was featured on House of Knives in March 2025, but her impact reached beyond the screen. She penned two bestselling cookbooks: Cook Like a Rock Star (2011), which became a New York Times bestseller, and Own Your Kitchen (2013).
Burrell is mourning her loss, leaving behind her husband, Stuart Claxton; stepson, Javier; mother, Marlene; sister, Jane, along with Jane’s children Isabella, Amelia, and Nicolas; and her brother, Ben.
Her family has expressed that she was a person whose joy and spirit brightened any space she entered.
“Anne was a cherished spouse, sister, daughter, stepmother, and friend,” stated the family. “Her radiant smile could illuminate any room she walked into.
“Anne’s influence reached far beyond her immediate circle, impacting countless lives globally. Though she is no longer with us, her loving spirit and warmth will always be remembered.”
Although her departure was unexpected, Burrell’s last moments were filled with joy, doing what she loved most, surrounded by laughter and joy – a perfect reflection of how she embraced life.
