“American Pickers” star Frank Fritz has died at the age of 60.
The news was shared by the TV personality’s co-star, Mike Wolfe, in an Instagram post on Tuesday.
“It’s with a broken heart that I share with all of you that Frank passed away last night,” Wolfe wrote in the caption, which appeared alongside the duo standing together.
“I’ve know[n] Frank for more then [sic] 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,” he continued.
“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. 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.”
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Wolfe went on, “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 [sic] in a better place.”
“American Pickers” is a popular reality show on The History Channel, which Fritz was part of for more than 300 episodes from 2010 until 2021. He left the series after 21 seasons while Wolfe stayed on. The two had some hiccups in their relationship, especially during the COVID pandemic, but had been in touch recently, per Entertainment Weekly.
Fritz was hospitalized after suffering a stroke in 2022.
“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 Production said in a joint statement on Tuesday. “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.”
