American Pickers star Frank Fritz passed away at the age of 60
Star of the hit show American Pickers, Frank Fritz, passed away on September 30th, 2024. The show ran for over 20 seasons and was the History Channel’s highest-ever debut when it premiered in 2010. American Pickers followed Fritz and co-star Mike Wolfe as they scoured basements, garages, and barns across the U.S. in search of hidden gems and rare artifacts.
Fritz left the show in 2021 due to various health issues, including a back surgery. In the summer of 2022, he suffered a stroke, which left him immobilized and in need of a conservatorship.
News of his death was shared online by a close friend on October 1st, 2024. Wolfe soon shared a heartfelt tribute to his longtime friend and said:
“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 in a better place.”
View this post on Instagram
Days later, it was revealed that Fritz’s official cause of death was complications from a stroke while in hospice care. It was not made clear where the 60-year-old suffered an additional stroke or if these were residual effects of the instance in 2022.
Mike Wolfe reveals the real reason why Fritz did not return to American Pickers
In a new, exclusive conversation with PEOPLE, Mike Wolfe revealed that Fritz battled opioid addiction. He shared:
“With that time off and him having surgery, it was like the perfect storm. He became addicted to opioids, and that’s when everything changed.”
Additionally, Wolfe shared that Fritz’s inability to provide the network with a clean drug test ultimately led them to decide to continue filming without him.
Wolfe admits that he “fought really hard to get him into rehab” but that Fritz insisted he could manage the problem on his own.
The pair first met in middle school and bonded over the shared experience of growing up without a father. Despite reports that they became estranged after Fritz departed from American Pickers, Wolfe confirmed they reunited in recent years. He shared:
“I never stepped away from him completely. That would be impossible for me to do. But I watched all of it unfold. I tried to help him as best I could, and we did speak.”
Mike Wolfe gives insight into the final moments of Frank Fritz’s life
During the interview, Wolfe recounted receiving the call that Fritz had reached the end of his life. He recalls the final moments:
“I just feel blessed that I was able to get there… I was there for about an hour before he passed, and I was holding his hand and rubbing his chest when he took his last breath. I took my fingers and I closed his eyes.”
Wolfe added:
“I just told him that I wasn’t mad at him and that I loved him and that I cared about him so much. And then when I could see that he was struggling, I just said, ‘Just go find your mom. Go find her right now. Just go find her.'”
Finally, Wolfe emphasized the importance of remembering his lifelong friend for the joy he brought to fans:
“He was a beautiful, beautiful person that, to be honest with you, who knows what our lives would’ve been like if there was never a show… I just want people to know who he was.”