Lou: ‘I Have Much Respect for the Way Anthony Bourdain Lived’

CNN has confirmed that TV star, author and chef Anthony Bourdain was found dead in his hotel room in France this morning. Bourdain was there filming the newest episode of his CNN show "Parts Unknown." The cause of death is suicide.

Before hosting "Parts Unknown" Bourdain was the host of the wildly popular "No Reservations" on the Travel Channel. He was also a writer and and chef. Bourdain has won high profile awards in every field he entered.

If you know who Anthony Bourdain is, I'm just giving you information you already have. If you don't, it's worth picking up one of his books or watching an episode of one of his shows. He was a very talented person with a unique approach to story telling.

I've been a big fan of this guy for years. In my home office I have a pile of black and white photos of people I admire that I never got around to framing or hanging, Bourdain is one of those people.

I have so much respect for the way he lived his life and the things he accomplished. I appreciate the way he told stories and created an environment with his words that could make you feel like you were with him.

Bourdain had a way of saying things you may not agree with, that was both relate able and non threatening. I could appreciate his point of view because he was always being himself. He was funny, rebellious and like no one I had ever seen on TV before.

He told stories in a way that made it clear he was intelligent but you never felt he was talking down to you. I have nothing in common with Anthony Bourdain but it did not matter. He was a person so bright, charismatic and cool he made me want to know him.

I am an Anthony Bourdain fan. I am sad he is gone and I am appreciative of the joy I got from watching him share his love for people, places and food.