The star’s devastated former co-host broke the news in a heartbreaking statement, as his sad cause of death is revealed.
Frank Fritz, the star of American Pickers, has died at 60.
His co-star and friend, Mike Wolfe, posted on Instagram and Facebook on Tuesday, sharing the news. Wolfe said that Fritz died on Monday night.
“It’s with a broken heart that I share with all of you that Frank passed away last night,” he wrote, reports the New York Post.
He continued, “I’ve [known] Frank for more than 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.”
TMZ reports that Fritz died due to the effects of a debilitating stroke he was hospitalised for two years ago.
Wolfe added, “Before the show we would take off together to places we never knew existed with no destination in mind and just the shared passion to discover something interesting and historic. We’ve been on countless trips and shared so many miles.”
He finished his post by saying, “I feel blessed that I was there by his side when he took one last journey home. I love you buddy and will miss you so much I know your in a better place.”
TV personality Frank Fritz has died. Picture: Noam Galai/WireImage
Wolfe posted a heartbreaking tribute to his friend. Picture: Instagram
Fritz co-hosted American Pickers since 2010. The long running History Channel reality series followed Fritz and Wolfe as they travelled the U.S. searching for rare artefacts and treasures to either sell in antique shops or put in their personal collections.
The History Channel and American Pickers producers Cineflix Production told The Post in a joint statement on Tuesday: “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.”
Their statement continued, “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 and Wolfe from American Pickers sign autographs for fans during the grand opening of the History Pop Shop at History Pop Shop on December 6, 2010 in NYC. Picture: Brian Killian/WireImage
Fritz owned Frank Fritz Finds, an antiques store in Savanna, Illinois. A motorcycle enthusiast, Fritz was inducted into the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum Hall of Fame in 2019.
At the induction ceremony on Aug. 8 of that year, Fritz told local newspaper the Black Hills Pioneer, “This is an honour that I will proudly talk about for the rest of my life.”
He left the show in 2020. Picture: Instagram
Per the outlet, when he was younger, Fritz was never interested in sports. Rather, he was interested in motorbikes and collecting stamps and beer cans. After his stepfather told him that he had to work for what he wanted, Fritz went to summer school and spent his afternoons working. During his sophomore year of high school, he was able to purchase his 1959 Harley-Davidson Sportster, which he still had in 2019.
The American Pickers star told the outlet that his greatest achievement was working hard, having lifelong friends, and still having his first bike.
In July of 2022, Wolfe was again the one who 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,” Wolfe wrote at the time.
“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 was referring to a rumored feud, but Wolf and Fritz reportedly reunited and patched things up in 2023.
A mutual friend of the American Pickers stars recalled their 2023 reunion to the Quad-City Times.
“Wolfe said, ‘Nobody can replace you, Frank.’ He said it was Frank’s ‘uniquely funny personality’ that made them fit so well together as a team. There were tears flowing on both sides,” their friend said.
The friends also told the outlet that there was no feud. Rather, after over a decade of filming “Pickers” together, “They needed separation to appreciate each other.”
