Anne Burrell, the beloved Food Network star and host of “Worst Cooks in America,” died Tuesday morning at her home in Brooklyn, New York. She was 55.
The New York City Police Department responded to a call at approximately 7:50 a.m. on June 17, 2025, regarding an unconscious and unresponsive 55-year-old female. Emergency medical services arrived at the scene and pronounced Burrell dead. The cause of death is pending an autopsy with the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.
Burrell’s family confirmed her death in a statement, describing her as a beloved wife, sister, daughter, stepmother, and friend. They indicated that “her smile lit up every room she entered.”
The night before her death, Burrell performed in an improv comedy show at The Second City New York in Brooklyn. The show was the finale of her improv classes, which she had been taking since March 2025. Sources close to the situation reported that Burrell was in great spirits during and after the performance, appearing happy and engaged throughout the evening.
Burrell had been enthusiastic about her new hobby, frequently sharing updates about her improv classes on social media. She had described the experience as an absolute blast and mentioned that it helped her get out of her shell. The Second City New York training center released a tribute describing Burrell as bringing joy, boldness, and an unwavering spirit to their community.
The Cazenovia, New York native began her culinary career after graduating from the Culinary Institute of America in 1996. She went on to study at the Italian Culinary Institute for Foreigners and completed an apprenticeship at La Bottega del ’30, a Michelin-starred restaurant located in Umbria, Italy. Upon returning to New York, she worked her way up through prestigious kitchens before transitioning to television.
Burrell’s television career began in 2005 when she appeared as a sous chef on “Iron Chef America,” where she quickly became a fan favorite. She appeared on the cooking challenge series for 10 seasons until 2013. Her breakthrough came with her own series, “Secrets of a Restaurant Chef,” which aired from 2008 to 2012 and earned two Emmy nominations in 2011.
The chef became best known for hosting “Worst Cooks in America,” a role she held from 2010 to 2024. The show featured amateur cooks competing to improve their culinary skills under Burrell’s guidance. She also hosted “Chef Wanted with Anne Burrell” from 2012 to 2013 and made regular appearances as a judge on “Chopped” between 2011 and 2016.
Most recently, Burrell appeared on Food Network’s “House of Knives,” which premiered in March 2025. During her last appearance on TODAY on April 9, 2025, she demonstrated how to prepare chicken Milanese while discussing her enthusiasm for the new competition series. She described the experience as fun and praised the talented group of chefs she worked alongside.
Beyond television, Burrell authored two bestselling cookbooks: “Cook Like a Rock Star” in 2011, which became a New York Times bestseller, and “Own Your Kitchen: Recipes to Inspire and Empower.” She also served on the Garden of Dreams Foundation Advisory Board and acted as a celebrity ambassador for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
Burrell’s approach to cooking emphasized joy and accessibility. She frequently expressed her belief that food reflects the cook’s emotions and stressed the importance of putting happiness into cooking. Her philosophy centered on removing fear from the kitchen and replacing it with fun, particularly when working with novice cooks.
In her personal life, Burrell married Stuart Claxton in October 2021 after meeting him on the dating app Bumble in 2018. She had expressed her love for married life in interviews, noting that she and Claxton spent considerable time together since he worked from home. She appreciated both their constant companionship and their shared adventures.
Burrell is survived by her husband, Stuart Claxton, and his son Javier, her mother Marlene, sister Jane, brother Ben, and her children Isabella, Amelia and Nicolas. Food Network released a statement describing her as a remarkable person and culinary talent who always shared the importance of food and the joy that delicious meals can bring.
The network expressed that their thoughts are with Burrell’s family, friends and fans during this time of tremendous loss. TMZ reported that the 911 caller indicated Burrell had gone into cardiac arrest, though the official cause of death remains pending autopsy results.
