Within 24 hours of its launch, however, the restaurant raised close to $ 15,000 – and its biggest donation comes from a notable name.
While most donations hold around the $ 20 mark, actor Russell Crowe donated $ 5,000.
With the help of his full name, Crowe’s generous donation attracted the attention of organizers Richard Hall and Amanda Bailly.
Russell Crowe is attending the annual Cannes Film Festival on May 15, 2016.
Pascal Le Segretain / Getty Images Europe / Getty Images
Hall took to Twitter on August 12, tagging Russell Crowe: “Someone named Russell Crowe made a very generous donation to our Le Chef fundraiser. But it’s not sure it’s * the * @russellcrowe.”
Crowe took credit for the donation, responding to Hall’s tweet a few hours later: “On behalf of Anthony Bourdain. I thought he probably would have done it if he were still running. I wish you and LeChef the best and hope that things can be put back together quickly. “
Bourdain, who died in 2018, traveled to Beirut in 2006 for his Travel Channel show “Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations.”
The new GoFundMe goal is set at $ 15,000, with the extra money said to support staff while the restaurant stays close to extensive repairs. The fund was less than $ 650 away from the target at 5:15 pm ET Thursday.
The organizers could not be immediately reached for comment.
Bourdain’s first shooting in Beirut in 2006 took a turn when violence erupted between Israel and Lebanon, but he returned in 2015 with “Parts Unknown.”
At the time, Bourdain and his crew were “No Reservations” in Beirut, Israel and Lebanon were at the beginning of war.
Beirut Sidekick interview
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