Why Anne Burrell took a break from hosting Worst Cooks in America before her death

Anne Burrell stepped back from television a year before her tragic death.The celebrity chef, who died at age 55 on Tuesday, hosted the beloved Food Network series “Worst Cooks in America” for 27 seasons, from its inception in 2010 to 2024.In March, Burrell went on Tori Spelling’s “misSPELLING” podcast and opened up about the reason she took a break from the show.“I can cook, yes, I can do TV, but also, what else? I’ve got more to do in my life, I feel like,” she told the “Beverly Hills, 90210” star, 52.“Interestingly, I just started taking acting classes.

I started yesterday, actually … It’s like an improv for actors’ class,” she explained.“I got there and it’s like eight people in the class.

I’m the oldest one.Every other person has like, ‘Oh, I have a master’s in fine arts in theater.’”For Burrell, taking a leap into the theatrical world was a whole new experience.“I’m like, ‘OK, I’ve never taken an acting class.

I don’t know, this is new to me.’ I wonder if these delightful and super talented kids look at me and they’re like, ‘What’s this old lady doing here?’” she said at the time.Burrell added she was “just dipping my toe” into acting.“I feel very excited about it,” she gushed.“I’ve got a few other things that I’m working on as well, which I’m not quite ready to share yet.

Hopefully, exciting [are] things coming.”While on the podcast, the kitchen guru also got candid on tying the knot with Stuart Claxton in 2021 and becoming a step-mom to his son, Javier.The couple first met on the dating app Bumble in 2018.Spelling inquired if Burrell purposely waited until later in life to settle down.“From when I was a kid, I don’t know why, but I always was like, I am not getting married until I feel like I have something in life to share,” the Food Network alum recalled.

“Until I have accomplished stuff.”And in her 20s and 30s, Burrell said she was “living my best life!�...