“American Pickers” star Frank Fritz dies at 60

His cohost Mike Wolfe remembered Fritz as "a dreamer who was just as sensitive as he was funny."

Frank Fritz, an antique hunter and former cohost of History Channel's American Pickers, has died. He was 60.

“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 provided to Entertainment Weekly. “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.”

Mike Wolfe, Fritz’s longtime friend and cohost on the show, also confirmed the news in a poignant Instagram tribute to his buddy on Tuesday.

“I’ve know 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,” he wrote in part. “The same off camera as he was on, Frank had a way of reaching the hearts of so many by just being himself.”

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Wolfe added that he could’ve never imagined that the picker pair would go on to host their very own antiques series on the History Channel together.

“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 explained. “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.”

Fritz appeared in over 300 episodes of the hit antiquing show — which saw him and Wolfe hit the road to hunt for antiques and collectibles together — from 2010 until 2021. He ultimately parted ways with the series after 21 seasons, with Wolfe remaining as its host.

While their friendship had its hiccups — Fritz later revealed that he hadn’t spoken with Wolfe in two years amid the COVID-19 pandemic and his recovery from back surgery — the pair were able to rekindle their bond in recent years.

News of Fritz passing comes two years after Wolfe revealed on Instagram that his friend had been hospitalized after suffering a stroke. Fritz largely remained out of the public eye in the years after the health scare.

Read the original article on Entertainment Weekly.