American Pickers star Frank Fritz dies at 60

Frank Fritz, star of “American Pickers,” has died at the age of 60.

His co-star and friend Mike Wolfe Posted on Instagram And Facebook Tuesday shared the news. Fritz died Monday night, Wolf said.

“With a broken heart, I share with you all that Frank passed away last night,” he wrote.

He continued: “I have [known] Frank for more than half my life and what I saw on television was always what I saw, a dreamer who was as sensitive as he was funny. In the same way that he was off camera, Frank had a way of reaching the hearts of many by being himself.

Wolf did not specify the cause of death, but Fritz was hospitalized for a stroke two years before his death.

“Before the show, we would set off together to places we never knew existed with no destination in mind, just a shared passion to discover something interesting and historic. We took countless trips and shared many miles,” Wolf continued.

“I feel so blessed to have been there for him when he made his last trip home. I love you, my friend, and I will miss you so much and I know you are in a better place.

Fritz has co-hosted “American Pickers” since 2010. The History Channel’s long-running reality series followed Fritz and Wolf as they traveled the United States in search of rare artifacts and treasures to either sell in antique stores or to place in their personal collections.

“We are saddened to announce the passing of our friend and beloved member of the History Channel and American Pickers family, Frank Fritz, on September 30,” the producers of the History Channel and American Pickers, Cineflix Production, told The Post in a joint statement Tuesday. , 2024. Frank has been filming American Pickers for over a decade.

Their statement continued: “We will always remember ‘The Bearded Wizard’ and his never-ending search for vintage motorcycles and bikes. Our thoughts are with Frank’s loved ones during this difficult time. We will miss him terribly.”

Fritz stopped appearing on the show during season 21. He was later replaced by Rob Wolf, Wolf’s brother.

Owned by Fritz frank finds fritz, Antique store in savannah illinois. Fritz, a motorcycle enthusiast, was inducted into the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum Hall of Fame in 2019.

At the induction ceremony held on August 8 of that year, Fritz told a local newspaper Black Hills Pioneer“This is an honor that I will talk about with pride for the rest of my life.”

According to the outlet, when Fritz was younger, he was never interested in sports. Rather, he was interested in motorcycles and collecting stamps and beer cans. After his stepfather told him he had to work for what he wanted, Fritz went to summer school and spent his afternoons working. During his sophomore year in high school, he was able to purchase a 1959 Harley-Davidson Sportster, which he still owns in 2019.

The “American Pickers” star told the outlet that his greatest accomplishments were working hard, having lifelong friends, and still owning his first bike.

Fritz suffered from many health problems, Including back surgery and Crohn’s disease.

In July 2022, it was once again Wolff who shared the news about Fritz’s stroke.

“I have been very private this past year about Frank’s life and the journey he has taken,” Wolfe wrote at the time.

“There have been a lot of opinions regarding my friendship, 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.”

After the stroke, so was Fritz Placed in guardianship.

When Wolf referred to “opinions” about his friendship with Fritz, he was referring to rumors of their falling out.

“I haven’t talked to Mike in two years,” Fritz said. The sun In a 2021 interview. “He knew my back was bad, but he didn’t call me and ask how I was doing. That’s the way it is.

“The show leans into it 1,000%. I can’t even bend that low to show you how much. This is good. “It’s like if you have Aerosmith and there’s Steven Tyler and he’s the front man. I’ve found my place, I’m number 2 and he’s number 1 in the show. “This is not a problem with me, maybe he has a problem.”

Wolff and Fritz reportedly got together and patched things up in 2023.

A mutual friend of the “American Pickers” stars recalled their 2023 reunion Quad City Times.

“No one can replace you, Frank,” Wolf said. He said it was Frank’s “uniquely funny personality” that made them fit so well together as a team. “Tears were flowing on both sides,” their friend said.

Colleagues also told the outlet that there was no animosity. Instead, after more than a decade of filming the Pickers together, “they needed to break up to appreciate each other.”

Bill Stankey, Fritz’s rep, told the newspaper in a statement: “Frank Fritz was an extraordinary human being. He loved life, cared about people, always had a kind word to say, and knew more about Americana and antiques than anyone I’ve ever met. He was a broadcaster for American Pickers will be missed by his friends, family and fans.”