“American Pickers” Frank Fritz attends the grand opening of the History Pop Shop at History Pop Shop on December 6, 2010 in New York City. Photo:
Charles Eshelman/FilmMagic
His co-host Mike Wolfe shared on Instagram on Oct. 1 that Fritz “passed away last night”
American Pickers star Frank Fritz has died two years after he suffered a stroke.
Fritz’s former co-host and friend Mike Wolfeconfirmed the news on Instagram on Tuesday, Oct. 1 as he shared that Fritz died on Sept. 30.
“It’s with a broken heart that I share with all of you that Frank passed away last night,” Wolfe, 60, began his tribute. “I’ve know 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.”
“Who would have ever dreamed we would share the cockpit of a white cargo van in front of millions of people interested in our adventures.”
Wolfe continued of American Pickers, the reality series from The History Channel that saw them travel across the country and restore relics to their former glory, “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 and 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 [sic] in a better place.”
While Wolfe and Fritz had their share of ups and downs in their friendship — in 2021, Fritz told The Sun he hadn’t talked to Wolfe in two years — the pair had reconnected, and when Fritz suffered a stroke in 2022, it was Wolfe who shared the news with fans.
“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,” Wolfe wrote on Instagram. “Frank has suffered a stroke and is in the hospital. Please keep him in your hearts and thoughts.”
