Frank Fritz, the longtime “American Pickers” host, died on Monday, Sept. 30. He was 60.
The news was announced on social media by his friend and co-host Mike Wolfe. The duo appeared together on the History Channel staple for 10 years and hundreds of episodes. The series followed Fritz and Wolfe as they toured the country in search of antiques and artifacts they can sell in their shop or buy to add to their personal collections.
“It’s with a broken heart that I share with all of you that Frank passed away last night,” Wolfe wrote in a tribute post on Instagram. “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,” he continued. “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, “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 you’re in a better place.”
“American Pickers” launched on the History Channel on Jan. 18, 2010, and has since aired for 25 seasons. Fritz suffered a stroke in summer 2022, a couple of years after stepping back from the show due to health problems. He was a regular on “American Pickers” through the show’s 2020 season.
“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,” The History Channel and ‘American Pickers” production company Cineflix Production said in a joint statement. “Our thoughts are with Frank’s loved ones during this difficult time. He will be deeply missed.”
In addition to co-hosting “American Pickers,” Fritz also appeared in episodes of other History Channel shows such as “Pawn Stars.” He also lent his voice to an episode of the Seth MacFarlane animated comedy “American Dad” in 2017.
“Frank Fritz was a an exceptional human being,” wrote Bill Stankey of Fritz’s management team Westport Entertainment. “He loved life, he cared about people, he always had a kind word to say and he knew more about Americana and antiques than anyone I ever met. He was the anchor of American Pickers. He will be missed by his friends, family and fans.”