'American Pickers' Star Frank Fritz Dies At 58

Frank Fritz died on September 30 at the age of 58.
Fritz had suffered from a stroke two years before his passing.
He had been a co-host of ‘American Pickers’ and left in 2020, though he reportedly reconnected with co-host Mike Wolfe.

On September 30, Frank Fritz died. News of his passing comes from his former colleague Mike Wolfe, who took to Instagram the following morning to announce his death. Fritz was 58 years old when he died, and his passing comes two years after he suffered a stroke.

Fritz was best known for co-hosting the History Channel’s reality series American Pickers. Alongside his childhood friend Mike Wolfe, Fritz traveled across the United States hunting for rare items and hidden treasures, which they featured on the show from its debut in 2010 until his departure in recent years. Since leaving American Pickers, Fritz has faced some health challenges and ups and downs with his former colleague, though they reportedly reconciled.

‘American Pickers’ icon Frank Fritz has died

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“It’s with a broken heart that I share with all of you that Frank passed away last night,” shared Wolfe in his tribute to Fritz. “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 added. “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 in a better place.”

An American icon

Frank Fritz died — Frank Fritz has died / Instagram

Born on October 11, 1965, in Davenport, Iowa, Fritz developed a passion for antiques and collectibles at an early age, which led to his career as a picker. Known for his keen eye, especially for vintage signs and oil cans, Fritz’s contribution to the show helped shape it into a long-standing success.

Fritz and Wolfe had periods of connection and distance, with Fritz telling The Sun back in 2021 that he and Wolfe had not spoken in two years, they reportedly reconnected, and when Fritz suffered a stroke in 2022, Wolfe was the one to share the news. After the update, Wolfe asked of fans to “Please keep him in your hearts and thoughts.”