Frank Fritz dies at 60: The American Pickers star dies two years after a stroke

Former American Pickers star Frank Fritz has died at the age of 60, according to his friends and family.

Fritz, part of the original series duo, had experienced a gradual decline in his health since his exit from the series in 2021.

The reality star suffered a stroke at his home in Iowa the following year, but the cause of death remains unclear.

“This is a very difficult announcement, Frank died around 7:30 last night. He was surrounded by me, Mike Wolfe was driving at high speeds to get back here from Nashville and other friends,” read a post on Fritz’s Facebook account Tuesday.

“Please understand that this is a very difficult time for us. Including Mike, so be kind while we try to figure out how to deal with this. “Thank you all for your love and support over the years.”

“This is a very difficult announcement, Frank died around 7:30 last night. He was surrounded by me, Mike Wolfe was driving at high speeds to get back here from Nashville and other friends,” read a post on Fritz’s Facebook account Tuesday

Fritz’s former co-star and friend Mike Wolfe also confirmed his death on Tuesday.

“It is with a broken heart that I share with all of you that Frank passed away last night,” Wolfe wrote on Instagram.

“Who would have ever thought that we would be sharing the cockpit of a white van in front of millions of people interested in our adventures.”

“Before the show, we set off together to places we never knew existed, with no destination in mind, but only with a shared passion to discover something interesting and historical.”

“We have taken countless trips and covered so many miles together and I feel blessed to have been by his side as he made one final journey home. I love you, buddy, and will miss you so much, I know you’re in a better place.’

Rumors about Fritz’s death circulated on social media earlier this year, but his friend denied the claims.

His co-star Mike Wolfe confirmed his death on Tuesday. They are pictured in 2015

“I love you buddy and will miss you so much, I know you’re in a better place,” Wolfe said. They can be seen in 2015

A friend of Fritz told the US Sun that he was in a wheelchair after the stroke in 2022.

Weeks after the stroke, a conservatorship petition was filed for Fritz, court documents stated: “Mr. Fritz’s decision-making ability is so impaired that he is unable to ensure his own safety or provide essentials such as food, shelter, clothing or medical care, without which physical injury or illness may result.”

MidWestOne Bank was named Fritz’s conservator and his friend Chris Davis was named his guardian.

Fritz’s co-star Danielle Colby also paid tribute to the late star.

“Frank, I will miss your ability to make everyone laugh, your love of talking about tattoos, your epic collections, but what I will miss most are those little glimpses of vulnerability from time to time,” Colby wrote.

“Frank, you loved your cat and your mom and we bonded over these things. For all these reasons and many more, we will miss you. Rest in peace, street dog.’

Fritz appeared on the show alongside Wolfe between 2010 and 2020

The former co-stars were estranged for years, and Fritz claimed Wolfe didn’t check on him after he left the taping. However, the two reconciled last year. They appear in an episode of American Pickers

American Pickers debuted on History Channel in 2010, following Fritz, Wolfe and their colleague Danielle Colby-Cushman, who ran an antiques store in Iowa.

Fritz and Wolfe traveled the country looking for collectibles of all kinds from collectors of all kinds.

In June 2021, it was announced that Fritz would be leaving the show as a result of many health issues, including back surgery and suffering from Crohn’s disease.

At the time, Wolfe released a statement saying Fritz was “like a brother to me,” adding that he would “pray for the very best and all the best for him on the next part of his journey.”

However, Fritz painted a very different picture in an interview with The Sun.

“Mike’s statement was bullshit, someone wrote it down for him.” We were never friends in elementary school. I don’t think he’s said five nice things to me in ten years, you know? “Unless he was putting someone else down and we were both laughing,” Fritz said.

The former co-stars were estranged for years, and Fritz claimed Wolfe didn’t check on him after he left the taping.

However, the two reconciled last year.

American Pickers debuted on History Channel in 2010, following Fritz, Wolfe and their colleague Danielle Colby-Cushman, who ran an antiques store in Iowa

Robbie Wolfe, who replaced Fritz in the series, also honored his memory after his death.

He wrote: “It is with a heavy heart that I have to announce that my friend Frank Fritz passed away last night.”

“They all knew him from TV. But I knew him from traveling, fishing and my family. He was the godfather of my twin girls. His smile was contagious and his laugh will be missed.

“Mostly just time sitting in a fishing boat and talking about life.” I know you’re in a better place… I love you buddy, I hope you catch the big one until we meet see in the sky and keep the boat stable.’

Robbie Wolfe, who replaced Fritz in the series, also honored his memory after his death

The History Channel also published a statement mourning Fritz.

“We are sad to announce that our friend and beloved member of the HISTORY Channel and the American Pickers family, Frank Fritz, passed away on September 30, 2024,” the station said.

“Frank filmed American Pickers for over a decade. We will always remember “the bearded charmer” and his never-ending search for vintage motorcycles and bicycles.

“Our thoughts are with Frank’s loved ones during this difficult time. “We will miss him very much.”