 This just in, from tonight's ABC's Nightline, Bizarre Foods host Andrew Zimmern speaks about his journey from addict to a James Beard Award-winning food personality. John Berman: It was a serious drug problem? Andrew Zimmern: Oh very serious. Yeah – hard drug addict, alcoholic, la package totale. Berman: So, we’re not talking about like dabbling in drugs? Zimmern: Oh, no no no we’re talking about – let me see if I can paint the picture for you: I lived in an abandoned building in lower Manhattan; one that we squatted – a bottle gang and I. I would steal purses off the backs of chairs in those swanky little cafes on Madison Avenue, run down the side street, leap the wall at Central Park and 5th Avenue, get on the subway, go down to the lower east side and sell the credit cards and passports that were in the purses for money to support my drug and alcohol habit. And then go to sleep at night on a pile of dirty clothes in this abandoned building and I sprinkled a bottle of Comet Cleanser around so the rats and roaches wouldn’t cross over at night so I could pass out in some peace and quiet and that’s what I thought was normal. That’s how I lived for a year – no showering, I was the guy you crossed the street to avoid if you walked by me in New York. Zimmern: It was worse than that. I’d rather not scare you too much but you’re living the life where you are constantly beat up, abused, abusing other people, doing something horrifically shameful and tawdry things that crater your soul – you give away pieces of yourself that you swear you would never do. You know, I swore I would never talk to you like this and then reach into your jacket and take your wallet and those are the things that you do when you are being driven by the insanity and the compulsion of alcohol and drug addiction. Berman: How much of a role in your life does that period now play? Zimmern: The largest. I don’t know how to phrase it any other way. Any decision that I make, anything that I do, every single consideration of my day goes through the prism of what my former experience has been. And I have a life based on completely different principles now and I try to stick with those. I think it has been the secret to my success. Watch the rest of the interview tonight on ABC's Nightline, 11:35 ET |
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Andrew Zimmern is my hero. He's a culinary arts genius, he's living the life I've always wanted to live and he's an inspiration. Anyone who can emerge from a situation like that and rise to the heights that he has... well, there's no more precise definition for "heroism" in my book.
I say good for him. It's not easy to turn yourself around from that life, but it is possible, and it's something to be proud of. Living with addiction teaches a person a lot. I highly doubt that he is exaggerating (why would he?) and he certainly doesn't need to turn himself in for petty thefts from years ago. I'm certain he has been "punished" in other ways...like maybe sleeping with rats? I've been there myself and I also turned my life around and anyone who can't, at the very least, respect that should walk in an addict's shoes for one day. Everyone makes mistakes...it's how you fix them that matters.
Bizarre Foods & Andrew Zimmern are news to us, good news at that. It sounds like AZ has been making nice progress since his time of living miserably here in Lower Manhattan where America's first rescue mission - nycrescue.org - has been working with addicts since 1872! I'm keen to learn if Zimmern ever got a bite to eat or night of rest here. Thank you for sharing his tale.
I find the show very entertaining and prefer to watch it when I can more than many other shows. The statements he made about his past (though shocking) is proof that you can turn your life around. Of course we dont commend his past, but congrats on redefining his future. Best wishes Andrew Zimmern
Although I never watch his show because of some of the foods he ingests I do admire him for having the determination to overcome his addictions and become a success. I counsel addicts and most of them are repeaters in the rehab program. He shows he has cojones to come forward and share his past with his public. I never watch Burdain at all and never wanted to due to his attitude on several shows before I quit watching.
Did the drugs come before, after or during his career as a chef? Wikipedia says he checked himself into rehab in 1992, but just a few years later he was apparently an acclaimed chef.
He's indeed like Bourdain's little brother.
My brother was a functioning alcoholic for 25 years and died three months ago at the age of 51 from cirrhosis. It is heartbreaking watching someone you love slowly kill themselves. The family never stopped trying to help him quit is addiction, but you eventually learn you can't help the addict unless they want to help themselves. He would do or say anything to anyone get money for beer or brandy. Unless you have witnessed this for yourself, you cannot begin to comprehend what a day in the life of the addict and their family is like. Andrew, I commend you on you the choice to turn your life around and the choice you make on a daily basis not to return.
Good for him for changing his life around. Some judge him for his past, yet forget that everyone has something in their life they regret. His may be more then others but I do not look down on his past as a person of ill repute. It should be uplifting that a person can actually change their life around that much. I know what drugs can do, and how they effect people, and I know how our culture is when hard drugs are mentioned, as well as theft. Judging someone is second nature, yet forgiving is nearly impossible for them.
guy's obviously addicted to food to travel the world eating boiled ducks head and pretend it's entertainment. ugh.
I LOVE your show Andrew!!!
He stole from your mother.
Oh yeah, he's a great guy. No need to "really" turn himself in. You know, statute of limitations, he's suffered enough, etc.
Baloney! He stole from people. He sold their identities. Those people suffered. If you were one of the poor souls who spent months or perhaps even years trying to clean up the mess this man created, would you be praising him right now? If he is truly sorry for his prior mistakes, he certainly could work with the authorities to find out who he harmed. Police reports, dates and locations, fingerprints, and other evidence still exist. He could track down and help the people he hurt.
But why would he do that? He's not REALLY sorry. He just wants a story. Publicity. Your oohs and aahs. The man is a pig.
I'm so sure he remembers the exact times, dates and places...and even the descriptions...of the purses he stole, especially considering he was either high or sick because he wasn't high. Be realistic.
This website is retarded.
This website sucks.
To "whatever": I have neither a reason nor a desire to kiss anyone's ass, even people I actually know. It's unfortunate that you find someone who can compose a decent sentence so threatening.
You're assuming "whatever" was able to actually comprehend what you were saying...
That's funny. Oh no! I hope that is not considered kissing your ass! That would be tragic...
Some of you people have real problems!!
Andrew, you are great I have great respect for you and your crew you guys are doing great stuff.
some of the places you went I have been there too. keep up with the good work we love your show.
What is with you haters? Your mommy irritate you today with burnt toast? I also was a low life junky, stealing to get high, forsaking everything for just one more hit, You haters have no idea what it takes to pull it together and go forward, Maybe you have too much time on your hands? you cruise around CNN looking to spread your crap? At least have something constructive or semi intelligent to spout and maybe your point ( if you can conger one up)will be looked at rather seriously rather than wasting space, Spend a year sleeping under a bridge, than come back and tell us how well that went for you
Meatczar, who on this thread has criticized the guy for overcoming his problems? Those who critiqued his show almost all commended him for his recovery. Do we have to love the man's work just because he was once an addict? As a matter of fact, yours is one of the few posts that sounds angry. You and "whatever" might consider getting together to try some deep breathing.
Anthony Bourdain's show celebrates people, their cultural diversities and the love of food. He wants to know what makes them who they are. Zimmerern's show by contrast leans to the shock value thing stinky tofu roasted rat and guinea pig comes to mind, and is aimed at a more general audience, whereas No Reservations is way more multifaceted in its approach and is a show that professional cooks and chefs can easily identify with(in my opinion). Now I know why he does not drink on his show...
I agree completely!
You must have missed the Romanian episode.
I'm proud of him for coming so far. Imagine sleeping with rats 1 day, and soon you're living life again. Kudos!
Ditto, Baja!
I've been to hell and back myself.
GOOD FOR HIM, I KNOW WHAT IT IS LIKE TO PICK YOUR SELF UP AND TRUST ME IT IS NOT EASY. I THINK HE SHOWS GREAT PASSION FOR LIVING AND BEING ABLE TO SHARE A PART OF HIMSELF THAT MOST PEOPLE WOULD HIDE.
If you have ever seen his show with his signature "face" after he makes a comment he thinks is funny...you will understand why I hate him. LOL. I love making comments.
Right on, Andrew!
What you are doing will help remove the stigmata associated with the illness of addiction. Addiction is not a moral issue!
I love his shows, Maybe this explain why he will eat anything. Living on the streets as rock bottom addict you eat what ever you can get. Eating some boiled fish eyes would have been gourmet food.
He seems like such a nice guy. Its sad but drugs will turn a nice person into a psychopath.
I don't like Zimmern's show. I think he's condescending, patronizing, and the example of why being politically correct is not the answer to xenophobic thoughts/actions. Not to mention, he can't even hang in the same time zone as Bourdain when it comes to wit or insight. Nevertheless, knowing that he overcame all he did makes me appreciate his struggle. I wish him the best of luck with his continued sobriety, but I hope I never have to see another commercial for his show.
Bravo, JoBob. You expressed my own feelings beautifully.
Kolohe,
Why don't you kiss JoBob's ass a bit more. "You expressed my own feelings beautifully" Piss off!
This pisher? He's like a nebbishie foodie tubby cousin. I'm blown away. Good for you Andrew. You done well.
Eating stinky tofu has got to be a breeze after performing "favors" for coke and booze.
I didn't know this about Andrew and it was a real surprise to read. The important thing is that he went through it, came out on the other side and made good. Andrew is a bright, articulate guy with a great show and a huge viewing audience and I think it would be hilarious to run all over the world with him and explore the world's culinary differences and oddities. I wouldn't eat some of the crap he'll eat, but to each his own. Screw the ones who don't like you Andrew. Keep it up, you're doing great.
He used to suck **** for money, now he just eats it for money.
Hey Yak, why don't you shut your nasty mouth? Without the anonymity of the internet you wouldn't have the guts to say anything like that. Creep.
So basically this guy is an admitted criminal that should be in prison. Oh wait, instead he is a celebrity. Oh wait, that's like the same thing. Nevermind.
Bitter much? Crawl out of that trailer you live in and do something with your life. Would ya?
I love this guy, I would love to travel with him to some foreign location and eat weird stuff. He is my idol along with Anthony bordain of No Reservations.
Those two are barely in the same ballpark. If Bourdain is on the pitcher's mound, Zimmern is barely in the nose-bleed section.
I still think his show is only marginally better than "hey look at this weird thing I just put in my mouth."
Good for him! So many more try to overcome fail and die. That is why I see people for what they have overcome not just what they have accomplshed.
He could turn himself in, but the authorities would laugh at him. We have a thing called statute of limitations. In most jurisdictions the statute of limitations for theft is 3-5 years, a few more if it involves identity theft, as it did in this case.
Needless to say this portion of his past was long enough ago that the statute of limitations has expired.
I'm certain he'll continue fighting internal demons for the rest of his life though.
Cheers to him for getting out of it, then. And doing so in an original way – eating things I would feed only to people I despise. Seriously, I enjoy the show and the man, tho not immediately before eating.
Considering what he used to put in his body, it's no wonder he can eat all that disgusting food. I do enjoy the show.
Some learn. Some don't. Some just barely make it through the gate ( ala Raiders of the Lost Ark-Harrison Ford & Whip),
while others hit the spear trap and are impaled for life. This guy just made it by the luck of the draw, and
states his present principles led to his success. No doubt, his prior sordid life helped solidify his principles.
Thanks for sharing your story. I think I'll go eat a fat roach.
This is an eye opener for me. I will never make any assumptions again regarding drug addiction/homelessness and intelligence.
While I am not a huge fan of his show I will admit that he is very intelligent and highly articulate. I just never would have been able to tell that he had been in that sort of horrible situation before. Congratuations to anyone who can gather the strength and willpower to get out of such a bad situation!
Jeff Handecker
Just for the record, the guy's name is Zimmern.
Andrew you've got some stones tipping your cards to the World. People might look at you and see a big softy, who knew you were as hard are coffin nail. I can wait to see your next show where you eat delights congered up by the homeless; like rat minon, you could call it Bottom Chef. Hats off Andrew for pulling your way out of it.
Why can't we have normal people on the Travel Channel? I can hear everyone now screaming "what is normal?" I understand, there is no "normal" but both Zimmerman and Bourdain are disgusting.
A better question might be, why not more travel and less food on the travel channel?
Ever watched Samantha Brown's show on the Travel Channel? She's normal by all accounts. And, as sweet and objective as she is, her show is boring compared to Zimmern's and Bourdain's.
Samantha Brown - yah, the show is kinda boring.
Why do you want to watch Joe and Mary from Iowa go on a trip and do the same old boring tourist things? Zimmerman and especially Bourdain make travel interesting. Bourdain love him or hate him speaks his mind and generally goes to off beat places. How many times do you want to see Samantha go to Paris and go to the Louve or a trip to Germany and watch her drink in a beer garden? It makes for boring TV we have seen it all before that is why Zimmerman and Bourdain have such loyal followings.
Food is the most important part of any culture by far, how can you have a travel show WITHOUT food? The travel shows that dont experience the local food are a joke.
When someone can share the most despicable events in their life while looking you straight in the eye or broadcasting to an entire country...it is one of the most respectable moments in their life.
Zimmerman, you are amazing and I am so very proud of your courage, it takes guts to be brave and put your life's darkest moments out in the open.
You are doing what most people avoid their entire lives – telling the truth about their clouded past.
Your interview will only make me respect you more and I cant wait to shake your hand after this airs tonight.
So why isn't he brought up on charges for crimes he committed back then? I like the show and I think he is a great personality but what debt has he paid to society for being a criminal drug addict? No one pinned him down and forced him to engage in drug and alcohol related activity so his confessions of those crimes should land him some jail time. That is what angers me about society. He is a "celebrity" so it's ok. As Dan Stark would say in "The Good Guys", "Let's bust this punk."
What the article doesnt say is that he was an addict around 1990. That is nearly twenty years ago. Try to remember anything you did twenty years ago in an exact manner (where, when, who) and then imagine it through a fog. Drug addicts dont keep diaries about their crimes; who a purse belonged to, how it was fenced, and what little they got out of it. Identity theft and goods are essentially untraceable once theyve passed out of that level. The police have a hard enough time with plain old murder and rape.
I understand your point in principle but you dont understand what your saying (about addiction or how absurd it would be for him to do more than admit his past). He's come this far and brought a lot of happiness to others through food and entertainment.
It's called the statute of limitations. Go look it up and learn something.
1. How do we know he hasn't already served any time for any of those crimes, and
2. As mentioned by youdummy, there is such a thing as statute of limitations.
I'm with you, Freesparrow. Tony Bourdain rocks. Although I think that Zimmern & his show are fine, I do wish he'd quit the vulgar lip-smacking and close-shot posturing. Much more unappetizing than the food he eats. I absolutely respect his turning his life around. Good for him. Bourdain has more substance as a food dude, though.
Love his show, one of the few shows that my wife and I can watch together. Good for you Andrew.
well, i'm watching his show as i write this comment, when he went to Tokyo. I have a hard time imagining him jumping over fences and running around like a complete maniac...Bourdain is awesome, period. But kudos to Zimmerman for confessing, but i doubt he will turn himself in for stealing...oh well, c'est la vie.
You are proving that people can change their lives!!! Thank you Andrew Zimmerman for coming public with this information about your past . God Bless you and keep you in His loving care!!
It's Andrew ZIMMERN. Not Zimmerman. I've been making that mistake for years too until someone else pointed it out to me.
its zimmern you stupid bitch
just overlook the comment by kath....a wacko liberal and they find no good in anyone or anything.
Really enjoy his show. I probably couldn't eat 10% of the stuff he does but it sure makes for a great show.
Andrew's show...yes. Bourdain ..NO WAY!
Generalize much?
a liberal? maybe.... conservatives usually are druggies...as in limbaugh and others
Jonathan, that's a moronic generalization.
You mean kath is both a veggie and a doper? Now that's very sad!
Good for you Andrew!
Now we know where he got that iron stomach from.
This makes perfect sense. As a doper, he probably ate rats, insects, and other non-foods just to survive.
Now, he's eating what he survived on and is making money ?!
Only in America babeee.
Oh, that Bourdain fellow is one terrifically boring rectal orifice. Tedious and torturous, no doubt made that way by being a New Yawker and being a dissolute JUNKIE !
The show is a snoozer BIG TIME !!
Lets see.....Mr. Coon is it......probably deep W. Virgini' strummin' a banjo........
Both shows don't get repeat seasons if they are "soozers" you JACKASS
Hey, lighten up on the tired, old WV/rural stereotypes. It makes you look no better than the person you're attacking. Yes, I'm a proud WVian. Mr. Zimmern has a great show. He has an amazing story and much courage to be sharing it. I wish continued success for him.
I always wondered why he never drinks on his show. I know if I travelled the world I'd be sampling the wines and beers available in other countries but it's understandable not to if you used to have a problem with those things. Good for you, Andrew! I love your show!
He's had sake on numerous episodes...
No, he hasn't. He always refrains from drinking when offered alcohol.
I guess we now know how he eats all that stuff..
Exactly
I would LOVE to have his job! Love it!
I know some people that have rats if your hungry.
I love this guy. He makes eating interesting. He makes eating rats look good :)
MMMMMM.rats.. DoH!
Nothing on his show looks good. Anthony Bourdain makes eating rats look good, Zimmern makes eating rats look like a matter of survival. Not much stuff on Bizarre Foods has any culinary effort behind it, its just people eating things raw or cooking them until the hair burns off. Man vs Wild has an equally appetizing menu.
Successful? Who considers success traveling around the world eating disgusting and mostly live creatures for a living? I would have more esteem for him if he went back to being a drug addict and leave these poor creatures alone!
Apparently you haven't watched the show much. He doesn't 'mostly' eat live creatures. So, quessing your a vegetarian by your comment.
kath, by the way, where does the world 'successful' appear besides your comment?
Kath,
You are an idiot! He is a renowned chef and has his on show on the Travel channel that millions watch. What have you done in your life? You work at the mall? have 3 redneck children and suck D*Ck at the blimpie drive thru. WHAT HAVE U ACCOMPLISHED?
Mean, but still hilarious response.
That is funny as hell!
amen sister.... how can you throw someone under the bus becuase of thier past. He did not kill or molest anyone ... he was trying to survive. Maybe you should look in your closet for skeletons that no one knows about but you!!! I support this man in all his achievements in life!!
Kath, I doubt he needs or wants your esteem as he is by all accounts a very upbeat person who does what he loves (as a host and as a chef). So few people enjoy that and are successful at the same time. No worries though, it's all over your head.
Ignore Kath! Based on the post I will presume Kath is one or those people that will run over the bicyclists or pedestrians so that they don’t run over the squirrel in the road.
Kath,
I just chopped off the head of this chicken because I didn't want to eat while it was still clucking. I so desparately wanted to make some chicken salad. I promise you, it's dead. Want to come by and share a sandwich or two with me? It's delicious!
He stole my purse
thats pretty funny, but i still love watching his show. And oddly enough, most of the stuff he eats is actually part of another cultures cuisine. Americans eat rocky mountain oysters , filipinos eat duck fetus and chinese eat deer penis. Its part of their culture. Not all people will eat it even in their culture, but it by no means is wrong.
What is with you haters? Your mommy irritate you today with burnt toast? I also was a low life junky, stealing to get high, forsaking everything for just one more hit, You haters have no idea what it takes to pull it together and go forward, Maybe you have too much time on your hands? you cruise around CNN looking to spread your crap? At least have something constructive or semi intelligent to spout and maybe your point ( if you can conger one up)will be looked at rather seriously rather than wasting space, Spend a year sleeping under a bridge, than come back and tell us how well that went for you..... We look forward to your riveting and facsinating response
I would have never guessed. Now he trravels the world experiencing things most people dream or have nightmares about depending on your taste. :)
It just sounds like he has expanded.
I always thought he was a goody two shoes. I would never have thought he had a dark past. We all figure that Bourdain has had his fair share of drugs, but even Rachel Ray is edgier than Zimmern.
I don't.
Good for you Zimmern. It takes courage to admit your past mistakes in the public eye. No one is perfect and we all go through some phase of dark struggle in life. Your show is awesome and it seems like you and Bourdain have a friendly rivalry going on. I look forward to the new seasons and wish you the best of luck.
Matt
I don't suppose that he will turn himself in and try to identify the dates and locations of his crimes.
You assume he could, the facts are there but i'm sure that they are clouded be a drug fueled haze. Good for him turning himself around but I think you can still see some of the effect that life has on the psyche from his daring to try foods that would make a billy goat puke.
You've not much relative experience if you think he has not / did not already pay in spades for what he stole every day during that period. Cash is not the only currency debts call in.
Statute of limitations....
JFairweather is a stinky Yak Penis.
Yeah, the big difference between the two is that Zimmerman is a RECOVERING alcoholic, and Bourdain is a ACTIVE/FUNCTIONAL alcoholic. They're both alcoholics, though... so they have that much in common..!!
This is a huge problem all over the world....if we like it or not, he over came an addication, Bravo for him!!!!!!!
This makes Andrew an even more interesting character.
I hate this ***hole.
Is that you honey? Ktown lockdown!
Really? Did he steal your purse off the back of your chair at a cafe' ?
Why? What to elaborate?
Are you an addict as well and hate because he overcame one of the hardest points that anyone can sink to? Or that you dislike entertaining, or at least positive, people and any potential educational experience they might provide (whether or not you like the content)? Moving on...
Do you know him? If not, how can you hate a person you don't know? OR do you hate a lot of people?
So THAT'S why he can stomach eating boiled yak penis...
that's exactly what i thought!
Jen, I doubt you have thought much or very long.
Jen, I bet you can stomach a lot of boiled yak penis
Yeah, he's Tyrone Biggums come to life!
Well I hate you so that makes it even.
And we hate you.
WHAT DRUGS DID HE DO?
YOU DON'T STEAL HANDBAGS OFF CHAIRS FOR A 12 PACK...COME ON..NOTHING BUT HALF TRUTHS