Anthony Bourdain has won an impressive six Emmys for his hit travel and food series ‘Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown’, this just three months after he committed suicide.
The late American chef and travel documentarian’s CNN show won best writing for a non-fiction program, sound editing for a non-fiction program, sound mixing for a non-fiction program, picture editing for a non-fiction program and informational series or special. Parts Unknown also scored best short-form non-fiction or reality.
The popular Parts Unknown previously won the Emmy for outstanding informational series or special award for four consecutive years – in 2016, 2015, 2014 and 2013.
A colleague who spoke on Bourdain’s behalf said while accepting the awards at the Creative Arts Emmys: “For me and for all the folks that have worked for him in the last 20 years, I want to say his writing was always fiercely intelligent, real…”
“His writing was inimitable… he’s truly on a journey to parts unknown. We wish we could have shot that journey with him.”
Editor Hunter Gross also paid tribute to Bourdain and thanked him “for letting me be part of this for the last seven years.”
Bourdain’s Parts Unknown co-workers repeatedly honored him in their acceptance speeches, with “Explore Parts Unknown” executive producer Nathan Thornburgh saying backstage that public support has been key in getting through the days after the famed chef’s suicide.
“The one thing about this loss is it’s not ours alone, like everybody knew that guy,” Thornburgh said. “Everybody had a selfie with him, but more importantly I think everyone felt like he had spoken to them over the years and that’s helped a lot, to feel like we’re not alone.”
When accepting the non-fiction writing Emmy on his behalf, producer Lydia Tenaglia noted that, “Tony was nominated for this Emmy many times, but it had always eluded him. So it is with tremendous bittersweetness that I accept it on his behalf.” Bourdain had previously been recognised in the category eight times.
The Parts Unknown star died by suicide on June 8 while in France working on an upcoming episode of his CNN series.
