RIP

Anthony Bourdain died in the bathroom of his hotel, and used the belt from his bath robe in the hanging.

Prosecutor Christian de Rocquigny revealed new details Saturday about Bourdain's death, adding there were no indications anyone had entered his room at the luxury Le Chambard Hotel ... nor was there any other sign of foul play.

The French official also told the Associate Press, toxicology testing will be conducted on the beloved "Parts Unknown" host to determine if he had taken any medications, drugs or alcohol at the time of his death.

Anthony Bourdain was laughing, smiling and full of personality just days before his suicide ... according to the people who cooked and served one of his final 'Parts Unknown' meals.

Bourdain and his crew were shooting at Wistub La Petite Venise on Tuesday in Colmar, France. Sources at the restaurant tell us Bourdain was extremely friendly with the staff, telling jokes, smiling and talking about food and wine.

We're told he was in great spirits even when cameras weren't rolling.

Anthony indulged in 2 faves of France's Alsace region. Choucroute garnie -- the dish he posted on IG -- is sauerkraut, sausages, salted meats and potatoes. We're told he also tried the jambonneau ... a smoked leg of ham.

Chef Alexis Schonstein tells us, "It was a good moment I will always keep in mind." As we've reported, 3 days after the shoot, Anthony was found after he hanged himself in his nearby hotel room.

Wolfgang Puck won't soon forget the impact Anthony Bourdain had on his life, the culinary community or the rest of the world ... calling the late food and travel expert an inspiration to many.

We spoke to Puck Friday outside Spago -- his famed Bev Hills restaurant -- and he offered immense praise for Bourdain. Puck says the most tragic part about his sudden death is that he believes Anthony had just hit the peak of his success.

One of the last images taken of Anthony Bourdain shows him riding a tandem bike through eastern France with the chef who would find him, days later, dead in his hotel room.

The photo was taken 2 days ago in the town of Colmar. We know Bourdain had been out there filming an episode of 'Parts Unknown' with pal and fellow chef Eric Ripert. Ripert is at the helm of the bike with Bourdain, who looks deep in thought.

Anthony's crew had their own tandem ride to capture the footage as they rode alongside Bourdain and Ripert.

Anthony Bourdain wasn't just a legendary chef ... he was the most influential celebrity Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner -- who helped introduce the martial art to the masses -- so says the guy whose family founded BJJ.

TMZ Sports talked to Rener Gracie -- whose grandfather, Helio Gracie, created Gracie Jiu-Jitsu a.k.a. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu -- about Bourdain's impact on his family's sport.

FYI -- Rener's coached Ronda Rousey and UFC star Brian Ortega ... and occasionally hit the mats with A.B. (check out their training sesh below from 2014).

Bourdain wasn't the only celeb to train ... Ashton Kutcher, Vince Vaughn, Ed O'Neill, Kelly Slater, Guy Ritchie, and Keanu Reeves practice BJJ -- but according to Gracie, Anthony was the most important.

"I think that Anthony Bourdain, A, because of his enthusiasm and his ease of communication, and B, because of his age, is responsible for more people doing Jiu-Jitsu and beginning Jiu-Jitsu, than probably any other celebrity ever who's not a professional fighter."

Rener goes on to say Bourdain's passing leaves a void that might never be filled.

The tragic deaths of Anthony Bourdain and Kate Spade by suicide have sparked a wave of calls to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline ... TMZ has learned.

The Mental Health Association of New York tells TMZ ... the hotline has experienced a 25% increase in call volume compared to this time last week. The number has been shared by tons of celebs, which the MHA says has resulted in more people "being aware of the resource and calling the Lifeline to get help."

The association has proven to deescalate moments of crisis and help people find hope. Last year alone, the Lifeline answered 2 million calls. The increase in calls comes on the heels of the CDC saying suicide rates in the U.S. increased more than 25 percent since 1999.

As we reported ... Anthony was found dead in his hotel room. Kate was found dead in her NYC apartment and both died by hanging.

RIP

9:00 AM PT -- Asia just released a statement addressing Bourdain's passing, saying ... "Anthony gave all of himself in everything that he did. His brilliant, fearless spirit touched and inspired so many, and his generosity knew no bounds. He was my love, my rock, my protector."

She continues, "I am beyond devastated. My thoughts are with his family. I would ask that you respect their privacy and mine."

Anthony Bourdain and Asia Argento seemed as tight as ever just last week ... but it appears something changed within the last few days.

Asia, an Italian actress and director, also worked on Bourdain's show, 'Parts Unknown.' Bourdain posted a photo last week of the two from their trip to Hong Kong ... that episode just aired this week. The pic featured the crew, including Asia, who was sitting right next to him.

Just a few weeks ago, they were together in Florence, Italy ... and still looked very happy and romantic.

Here's where things get murky. We know Anthony was shooting his show in France this week -- he'd been there for at least 4 days. However, Asia was back in Rome, strolling around with a French reporter named Hugo Clément. There were photos of them holding hands and hugging, but the Italian photographer who shot the pics pulled them off the market on the heels of Anthony's death.

It's unclear if Anthony and Asia had broken up. If they did, there was no public announcement. Their last public appearance together was at an event was back in April in NYC.

Anthony and Asia started dating in early 2017, and he supported her when she went public with rape allegations against Harvey Weinstein -- saying, "I am proud and honored to know you. You just did the hardest thing in the world."

Beloved chef and TV host Anthony Bourdain is dead of an apparent suicide.

Bourdain was found dead in his hotel room in Strasbourg, France ... according to CNN. The network says Bourdain's friend and fellow chef Eric Ripert discovered the body Friday morning. He had hanged himself.

They were on location in France shooting an episode of his award-winning show, 'Parts Unknown.'

Ripert tells us, "Anthony was a dear friend. He was an exceptional human being, so inspiring and generous. One of the great storytellers of our time who connected with so many. I wish him peace. My love and prayers are with his family, friends and loved ones."

Bourdain made his name first as a chef ... and then an author. His famous book, "Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly," was published in 2000, and its enormous success helped him jump into TV.

His first show was "A Cook's Tour" on the Food Network -- but the series 'No Reservations' on the Travel Channel was his breakout hit.

In 2013, 'Parts Unknown' premiered on CNN, and it immediately won a Peabody Award. During a 2016 episode, shot in Argentina, Bourdain admitted he sometimes struggled with depression.

His last Instagram post was a meal he had 4 days ago in France. In typical Bourdain fashion ... lots of meats and potatoes.

His suicide comes just 3 days after Kate Spade took her own life by hanging herself in her NYC home.

Bourdain leaves behind an 11-year-old daughter. He was 61.

RIP

Anthony Bourdain revealed he suffered from depression during a 2016 episode of 'Parts Unknown' -- in which he said something as simple as a bad burger could send him into a downward spiral.

Bourdain addressed the issue while visiting Argentina -- a country that fascinated him because it embraced psychoanalysis and mental health treatment.

The episode featured several scenes of Bourdain speaking with his therapist and addressing real issues in his life. And, even though it seems like a joke at first, it becomes clear he's not kidding around.

When asked what brought him into the office, Bourdain says ... "I will find myself in an airport, for instance, and I'll order an airport hamburger. It's an insignificant thing, it's a small thing, it's a hamburger, but it's not a good one. Suddenly I look at the hamburger and I find myself in a spiral of depression that can last for days."

He goes on to explain how he often feels alone.

"I feel kind of like a freak and I feel very isolated. I communicate for a living but I'm terrible at communicating with people I care about."

The episode ended with Bourdain saying he has positive moments too.

Anthony Bourdain's sudden and shocking death has stunned the culinary world.

Many fellow chefs, celebrities and athletes have taken to social media to share their experiences and some kind words about the star.

As we reported ... Bourdain was found in a French hotel room by friend and fellow chef Eric Ripert. CNN reported Bourdain hanged himself.

Bourdain's show, 'Parts Unknown,' gained tremendous success over the years ... he was traveling for the show at the time of his death.

Bourdain leaves behind a young daughter. He was 61 years old.

The last of the Lollipop Guild might have fallen this week with the death of 'Wizard of Oz' star Jerry Maren -- but there are still living Munchkins out there ... 'cause we talked to one.

Joan Kenmore was cast as one of the Munchkins in the 1939 film, but didn't have a speaking role in the "We Wish to Welcome You to Munchkin Land" scene ... when Dorothy met Jerry and all the other Munchkins.

She says she heard about Jerry's failing health last year from author Stephen Cox, who chronicled the little actors' on-set memories in his book, 'The Munchkins Remember.'

Technically Joan wan't a member of the Lollipop Guild -- she's not a little person, she was just a little 6-year-old during filming. She's a spry 86 now, and says her kids still get a kick out of watching her brief appearance in the timeless classic.

TMZ broke the story ... Jerry passed away over a week ago at a San Diego nursing facility. He was the last living dwarf actor from the movie.

Alan O'Neill -- one of the actors on "Sons of Anarchy" has died ... TMZ has learned.

Law enforcement sources tell us O'Neill's body was discovered by his girlfriend in the hallway of her Los Angeles apartment Wednesday night. We're told the actor has a history of heart problems and was a heavy smoker. He's also got a history of alcohol and drug abuse.

We're told no foul play is suspected ... and an autopsy will be completed soon to determine the cause of death.

O'Neill's acting career dates back to the 1990s. He's perhaps most famous for his role as Hugh on seasons 6 and 7 of 'SoA,' as well as Keith McGrath in "Fair City." His other roles included a popular UK show called "Inspector George Gently" and he was announced as a cast member in an upcoming horror film.

The Irish-born actor was 47.

The world's oldest living 'Wizard of Oz' munchkin, Jerry Maren's organs were shutting down and he was fighting severe senility when he died ... TMZ has learned.

According to his death certificate ... Jerry's official cause of death was cardiopulmonary failure. However, he also suffered from cachexia -- a break down of the body's systems from chronic ailments -- and senile degeneration of the brain. As we first reported, Jerry suffered from dementia.

The doc, obtained by TMZ, says Jerry, real name Gerard Marenghi, died May 24 in San Diego County. He was buried this past Saturday in Hollywood. His occupation is listed as an actor with 75 years of experience. No mention of the Lollipop Guild.

Jerry Maren, who was the oldest living "Wizard of Oz" munchkin, will be commemorated with free whiskey ... if ya simply drop his name at an L.A.-area hotel with ties to 'Oz.'

The Culver Hotel tells TMZ it's giving away a free shot of Grant's whiskey to anyone who comes in Wednesday, and mentions Jerry's name.

We broke the story ... Jerry passed away more than a week ago, and was buried last weekend.

Jerry and some of the other munchkins stayed at the Culver Hotel while filming the 1939 classic right around the corner at MGM's Culver City studio. Legend has it, the little guys threw epic ragers while staying there.

Kate Spade's husband has finally spoken on the fashion designer's suicide -- confirming the two were living apart -- and saying her death came as a total shock to their whole family.

In a statement to the New York Times, Andy Spade says, "Kate suffered from depression and anxiety for many years. She was actively seeking help and working closely with her doctors to treat her disease, one that takes far too many lives. We were in touch with her the night before and she sounded happy."

He continues, "There was no indication and no warning that she would do this. It was a complete shock. And it clearly wasn’t her. There were personal demons she was battling."

Spade confirms the two were living separately for the last 10 months, but says they still took vacations and had dinners together for the sake of their daughter ... he says they never discussed divorce.

Kate Spade's suicide note will make her death infinitely harder for Kate's daughter and family ... according to Sheryl Underwood, who sadly knows exactly what they're going through.

Sheryl had an extraordinarily emotional moment on Wednesday's episode of "The Talk." Her husband killed himself in 1990 after they'd been married for 3 years, and she bravely discussed how it's still affecting her.