Frank Fritz, co-host of the History Channel’s American Pickers, has died. He was 58.
Fritz’s fellow co-host, Mike Wolfe, shared the news on Instagram on Tuesday morning. “It’s with a broken heart that I share with all of you that Frank passed away last night,” he wrote in the caption of a photo of the two of them. “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.”
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For 10 years, American Pickers saw Wolfe and Fritz touring the country in search of rare artifacts and national treasures they could buy from collectors and sell in their antique shop or keep for their personal collection.
“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,” The History Channel and Cineflix Productions, producers of American Pickers, said in a joint statement. “Frank filmed American Pickers for over a decade. 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 stepped back from the show in 2020 due to some health issues. Two years later, he suffered a stroke, Wolfe shared at the time. He also appeared in one episode of the History Channel’s Pawn Stars and voiced himself on an episode of American Dad!
In his post, announcing the news of Fritz’s passing, Wolfe also noted that they had no idea American Pickers would take off the way that it did since launching in 2010.
“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,” he wrote. “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.”
Wolfe concluded his post, writing, “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 in a better place.”
