‘American Pickers’ Star Frank Fritz Dead at 60
“American Pickers” star Frank Fritz has died at the age of 60.
The announcement was made on Tuesday by co-star and close friend Mike Wolfe on social media, who wrote that Fritz had passed away Monday night.
“It’s with a broken heart that I share with all of you that Frank passed away last night,” he wrote. “I’ve [known] Frank for more then half my life and what you’ve seen on TV has always been what I have seen, a dreamer who was just as sensitive as he was funny. The same off camera as he was on, Frank had a way of reaching the hearts of so many by just being himself.”
His cause of death has not been released, but Fritz suffered a stroke two years prior.
“American Pickers” debuted in 2010, making it The History Channel’s longest-running reality show, according to the New York Post. The duo traveled the country looking for antiques and other rare finds.
“We are saddened to share that our friend and beloved member of the History Channel and American Pickers family, Frank Fritz, has passed away on September 30, 2024. Frank filmed American Pickers for over a decade,” The History Channel and “American Pickers” producers Cineflix Production told the outlet in a joint statement.
“We will always remember ‘the bearded charmer’ and his never-ending search for vintage motorcycles and bikes. Our thoughts are with Frank’s loved ones during this difficult time. He will be deeply missed.”
Fritz last appeared on the show during Season 21 and was replaced by Mike’s brother, Rob Wolfe.
He had many health conditions, including Crohn’s Disease. In July 2022, Wolfe shared the news about Fritz’s stroke.
“I have been very private in the past year in regards to Frank’s life and the journey he’s been on. There has been lots of opinions in regards to mine and Frank’s friendship and the show but now is not the time to set the record straight. Now is the time to pray for my friend,” he wrote at the time, referring to rumors about their friendship.
In a 2021 interview with The Sun, Wolfe told the outlet that he had not seen Fritz in two years.
“We all do care about Frank, and we want him back on the show. I would love to talk with him again, we would absolutely love to, but he just can’t get it right,” Wolfe told the outlet at the time.
“Frank is just going through a lot personally with addictions. It’s unfortunate that he’s made decisions that have him the way he is.”
Fritz informed The Sun that he had been fired by The History Channel after he went to rehab to treat alcoholism.
A mutual friend of the duo said that they reunited last year.
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