It's with a heavy heart that we bring you the news of the passing of American Pickers star Frank Fritz. Both his family and fellow star Mike Wolfe have confirmed the heartbreaking news on social media platforms. Fritz, who captured the hearts of millions with his unique charm and adventurous spirit, was 60 years old.
A Heartfelt Farewell from Mike Wolfe
In an emotional Instagram post dated Tuesday, October 1, Mike Wolfe shared the devastating news of his longtime friend and partner in discovery. "It’s with a broken heart that I share with all of you that Frank passed away last night," Mike wrote. "I’ve known Frank for more than 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."
Mike went on to describe the authenticity of Frank's character, stating, "The same off camera as he was on, Frank had a way of reaching the hearts of so many by just being himself." Their adventures in a white cargo van, exploring hidden treasures and historical gems, became the backbone of their show and friendship. "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," Mike recalled fondly.
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Remembering the Early Days
Mike reminisced about their early days before the show when they would embark on journeys with no set destination, driven purely by their shared passion for discovery. "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," he wrote. These countless trips and shared miles brought them closer, and Mike felt blessed to have been by Frank's side during his final journey. "I love you buddy and will miss you so much. I know you're in a better place," Mike said, concluding his heartfelt tribute.
Health Challenges in Recent Years
Frank's cause of death has not been disclosed at this time, but it is known that he suffered a stroke at his Iowa home in July 2022. This health scare prompted Frank to step back from the show initially in 2020, revealing later that he had undergone back surgery. In an interview with The Sun in July 2021, Frank discussed the surgery in detail. "I had a couple of rods put in there. It was from lifting stuff all the time," he explained. "If you watch the show, you can see who the guy is that’s lifting all the time—it’s always me. It had been hurting for a long, long time. I’m talking months and months and months."
Frank elaborated on the severity of his condition, saying, "Finally, I had it looked at, and they said it was about ready to split in half, the bones going up in the middle of my spine. They put a couple of big rods up the middle of my spine. I had to get 185 stitches and two rods in my back. I had the back injury, but I can lift, I’m OK." Despite these challenges, Frank’s resilience and determination to continue doing what he loved shone through.
Community Mourns the Loss
The Frank Fritz Friends group on Facebook also confirmed the passing of the beloved television star. "This is a very tough announcement to make. Frank passed away last night around 7:30. He was surrounded by myself, Mike Wolfe, who made a high-speed trip to get back here from Nashville, and other friends," stated admin Annette Oberlander Willows. "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," she added, expressing gratitude for the outpouring of support from fans and friends alike.
A Tribute from Danielle Colby
American Pickers star Danielle Colby also paid tribute to her late co-star on Instagram. "Frank, I will miss your ability to make everyone laugh, your love for talking tattoos, your epic collections, but what I will miss the most are those little glimpses of vulnerability from time to time," she wrote. "Frank, you loved your cat and your momma, and we bonded on those things. You will be missed for all of these reasons and so many more. Rest in Peace Road Dog," Danielle added, capturing the essence of Frank's personality and the deep connection they shared.
