# Release of Anthony Bourdain biographical film ‘Tony’

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/release-of-anthony-bourdain-biographical-film-tony
> Updated: 2026-08-26T23:01:00.000Z. Sources: 12. Developments: 3.

The biographical film ‘Tony’, directed by Matt Johnson and produced by A24, premiered in the United States to explore the early life of chef Anthony Bourdain. Based on excerpts from Bourdain’s memoir ‘Kitchen Confidential’, the film follows a 19-year-old Bourdain, played by Dominic Sessa, as he works as a dishwasher in Provincetown, Massachusetts, during the mid-1970s.

Following its release, the film earned $5 million during its opening weekend in wide release, ranking seventh at the box office. The production, which had a budget of less than $15 million, utilized real locations in the Cape Cod area to reflect the geography of Bourdain’s early career. The film also features Antonio Banderas in a role as a chef.

During production, Sessa reportedly found certain repetitive tasks difficult, such as a recurring gag involving cold water being dumped on him, which required him to maintain a state of “deep relaxation” to simulate sleep. The film’s success has drawn renewed attention to Sessa’s background; before his starring role, he worked for five summers starting at age 13 as a dishwasher and doughnut maker at Cathy’s 14th Street Bakery in Ocean City, New Jersey.

## Claims

- Dominic Sessa worked at Cathy's 14th Street Bakery for five summers. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The film 'Tony' earned $5 million during its first weekend in wide release. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The movie 'Tony' had a rumored budget of less than $15 million. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Dominic Sessa stars as Anthony Bourdain in the film 'Tony'. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The film 'Tony' is a biopic about a young Anthony Bourdain. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The movie is set in Provincetown, Massachusetts, during the summer of 1975. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Dominic Sessa plays the role of Anthony Bourdain. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Antonio Banderas portrays a chef character in the film. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The water used in the film was not saltwater, despite what the movie implies. (single source)
- The film is inspired by the early chapters of Bourdain’s book 'Kitchen Confidential'. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-26: Tony biopic follows young Anthony Bourdain in Provincetown

The A24 biopic 'Tony' follows a young Anthony Bourdain in 1975 Provincetown, starring Dominic Sessa and Antonio Banderas.

8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/tony-biopic-follows-young-anthony-bourdain-in-provincetown

### 2026-08-26: Dominic Sessa's early career in Ocean City highlighted as 'Tony' hits box office

Actor Dominic Sessa, starring as Anthony Bourdain in the film ‘Tony’, previously worked for five summers at a bakery in Ocean City, New Jersey.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/dominic-sessas-early-career-in-ocean-city-highlighted-as-tony-hits-box-office

### 2026-08-10: Tony film explores early life of chef Anthony Bourdain

The biopic ‘Tony’, directed by Matt Johnson, has premiered in the US, exploring Anthony Bourdain’s formative years as a dishwasher in Provincetown during the 1970s.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/tony-film-explores-early-life-of-chef-anthony-bourdain

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Cite as: Release of Anthony Bourdain biographical film ‘Tony’. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/release-of-anthony-bourdain-biographical-film-tony