Frank Fritz, star of American Pickers, has passed away at 60.
His longtime friend and co-star, Mike Wolfe, shared the news on Instagram and Facebook, revealing that Fritz died on Monday night. Wolfe wrote, “It’s with a broken heart that I share with all of you that Frank passed away last night. I’ve known Frank for more than half my life, and what you saw on TV was who he truly was—a dreamer, just as sensitive as he was funny. On or off camera, Frank had a way of reaching people’s hearts simply by being himself.”
Though Wolfe didn’t specify a cause of death, Fritz had suffered a stroke two years prior. In his heartfelt post, Wolfe reminisced about their shared adventures, saying, “Before the show, we would take off to places we’d never been, with no set destination—just the passion to discover something interesting and historic. We’ve shared countless trips and miles together.” Wolfe concluded, “I was blessed to be by his side when he took one last journey home. I love you, buddy, and I’ll miss you so much. I know you’re in a better place.”
Fritz co-hosted American Pickers since 2010, alongside Wolfe, as they traveled the U.S. seeking out rare artifacts and treasures for their antique shops or personal collections. In a joint statement, The History Channel and American Pickers producers expressed their sadness, stating, “Frank was a beloved member of The HISTORY Channel and American Pickers family. He filmed with us for over a decade, and we’ll always remember him as the ‘bearded charmer’ on his never-ending search for vintage motorcycles. Our thoughts are with Frank’s loved ones during this difficult time.”
In addition to his work on the show, Fritz owned an antiques store called Frank Fritz Finds in Savanna, Illinois. A motorcycle enthusiast, he was inducted into the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum Hall of Fame in 2019. Reflecting on his achievements at the induction ceremony, Fritz said, “This is an honor I will proudly talk about for the rest of my life.”
From a young age, Fritz was drawn to motorcycles and collecting items like stamps and beer cans. He bought his first bike, a 1959 Harley-Davidson Sportster, during high school—a prized possession he still had in 2019. Despite health challenges, Fritz remained passionate about his work and his enduring friendships.
In July 2022, Wolfe had also been the one to inform fans of Fritz’s stroke, keeping his friend's health journey mostly private at the time.
0 Comments