Hours Before Her Death, Anne Burrell Was All Smiles at Her Improv Show”
“Tragic Twist: Anne Burrell’s Final Performance Came Just Before Her Passing
The culinary community is grappling with the sudden and unexpected death of acclaimed chef Anne Burrell, who passed away at her Brooklyn home on Tuesday, June 17, at the age of 55. The news came as a shock, particularly to those who had seen her just the night before, full of life and joy.
On Monday, June 16, merely hours before her death, Burrell was enthusiastically engaged in one of her recent passions: improvisational comedy. She performed in a show at The Second City New York, an event that marked the conclusion of her current improv class.
Sources who were present at the performance painted a picture of a woman in **exceptionally good spirits**. One individual told PEOPLE that Burrell was “so great” and “so happy” during the show. Another source who was with her confirmed she “was in great spirits last night during and after the improv show,” describing her as “Typical fun, outgoing Anne, having a blast.”
This vibrant portrayal of her final hours has deepened the sense of disbelief surrounding her death. Those who saw her the night before are reportedly **”shocked and confused”** because the chef appeared completely fine when the evening concluded.
Burrell had openly shared her enthusiasm for improv comedy on social media. Just over a week prior, on June 9, she posted on Instagram about having an “ABSOLUTE blast” in her classes and promoted her upcoming show. She had first announced her foray into “Improv for Actors” back on March 19, noting how much fun it was and how it helped her “get out of [her] shell… as if I needed that!!” By late April, she was excitedly beginning her second term in the program.
The Second City New York paid tribute to Burrell following the news of her death. In an Instagram post on June 17, they expressed deep sadness, remembering her as a **”vibrant part of our Second City New York Training Center community.”** They highlighted her “joy, boldness, and an unwavering ‘yes, and’ spirit,” adding that her “enthusiasm was contagious, her presence unforgettable.”
According to the New York City Police Department, Anne Burrell was discovered “unconscious and unresponsive” at her residence around 7:50 a.m. on Tuesday, June 17. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) responded to the scene and pronounced her deceased there.
The sudden loss of Anne Burrell, especially given her lively demeanor the night before, leaves a void felt by many in the culinary world and beyond, underscoring the unexpected nature of her passing.
