Anthony Bourdain's Brother Reveals the Word on the Death Certificate He's Been Trying to "Figure Out"

Eric Ripert, who discovered friend Anthony Bourdain's death by suicide in June, has only now just begun to share more revealing information about Bourdain since that day, information previously held close. And others, too, who were close to Bourdain are now sharing more: Friends, family, and colleagues of the chef all spoke to GQ as part of a tribute meant to provide a deeper, more intimate understanding of a complex man. 

Among the people who shared their thoughts with GQ is Chris Bourdain, his brother. In the interview, he described a detail of the French death certificate that sticks with him all these months later — one that still just doesn't sit right with him.

"The death certificate that was printed in France listed as his profession 'chef,'" he told GQ. "And I tried for months to figure out, what is the appropriate way to describe what Tony has been doing for the last seven or eight years? There's no description for it."

Of course, that sentiment rings true even with fans around the world, who didn't know Anthony Bourdain personally, but registered the vast scope of his significance — as not just a chef, but as an intrepid traveler and television host, advocate and activist, graphic artist, storyteller and truth-teller... and on and on.

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), text “help” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 or go to suicidepreventionlifeline.org.