Celebrity chef and Food Network personality Carl Ruiz died in September 2019 at the age of 44, with his sudden death initially leaving fans and fellow chefs searching for answers.
Ruiz, known for his appearances on shows including Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives and Guy’s Grocery Games, died suddenly on September 21, 2019. Early reports said he appeared to have suffered a heart attack while sleeping, although his official cause of death had not been immediately released.
Several weeks later, the Maryland Department of Health’s medical examiner’s office confirmed that Ruiz’s cause of death was atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, a condition involving the buildup of fats and other substances in the arteries.
Ruiz had become a familiar face to Food Network viewers through his energetic personality, culinary expertise and frequent appearances alongside Guy Fieri. He also owned the New York City restaurant La Cubana, which opened in Manhattan’s Meatpacking District in 2019.
His death prompted an outpouring of tributes from colleagues and friends across the culinary world. Fieri described Ruiz as a close friend and praised both his talent and his ability to make people laugh.
At just 44 years old, Ruiz’s death was particularly shocking to those who knew him and to viewers who had followed his career. His legacy has continued through the people he influenced in the restaurant and television industries, as well as efforts to honor his memory through culinary education.
