Frank Fritz obit

Frank Fritz Dies: ‘American Pickers’ Co-Host Was 58

 

He was not on the list.

Frank Fritz, the former longtime co-host of History Channel’s American Pickers reality series, died Monday, September 30 at 58, his friend and co-host Mike Wolfe shared Tuesday on Instagram. A cause of death was not revealed. “It’s with a broken heart that I share with all of you that Frank passed away last night,” he wrote. He continued, “I’ve [known] 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.”

Wolfe added, “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. “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,” Wolfe concluded. The news was first confirmed on Facebook by Fritz’s friend Annette Oberlander Willows, who shared photos and wrote, “This is a very tough announcement to make Frank passed away last night around 7:30 he was surrounded by myself Mike Wolfe made a high speed to get back here from Nashville and other friends.” “Please understand this is a very rough time for us. Including Mike so be kind as we are trying to figure out how to cope with this. Thank you all for your love and support through the years,” the statement concluded.  American Pickers, produced by A&E Networks in association with Cineflix Media, premiered on January 18, 2010, on the History Channel. In the series, hosts Wolfe and Fritz, traveled across America in search of rare Americana artifacts and national treasures to buy from collectors for resale or to add to their personal collections.

The show released a statement on its official account on X: “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.”

Born on October 11, 1963, Fritz had stepped away from the show in 2020. Wolfe officially announced his partner’s exit on Instagram in 2021. The following year Fritz was hospitalized after suffering a debilitating stroke. His absence from the show coincided with a much-rumored feud with Wolfe, a falling-out that proved temporary and which Fritz confirmed in various interviews. Fritz also revealed in 2021 that he had entered a rehab facility for a drinking problem. “I have known Frank for as long as I can remember, he’s been like a brother to me,” Wolfe wrote. “…I will miss Frank, just like all of you, and I pray for the very best and all good things for him on the next part of his journey.”

The show also stars Danielle Colby and Robbie Wolfe.