The cast of “American Pickers” pays tribute to Frank Fritz after his death at the age of 60

Frank Fritz’s American Pickers co-stars are paying tribute to the late reality TV host.

Fritz died on Monday evening at the age of 60. His friend and former “American Pickers” co-host Mike Wolfe shared the news on Instagram and Facebook.

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

“I have known Frank for more than half of my life and what you saw on television was always what I saw: a dreamer who was as sensitive as he was funny. Just as he was off camera, Frank had the opportunity to reach the hearts of so many just by being himself.

“Before the show, we set off together to places we never knew existed, with no destination in mind and only a shared passion to discover something interesting and historical,” Wolfe added. “We have taken countless trips and covered so many kilometers together.”

He concluded: “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 feeling better.”

A representative for Fritz, Bill Stankey, told TMZ that the star died as a result of a stroke he suffered in 2022.

According to the outlet, Fritz died at a hospice facility in the Quad Cities on the Iowa-Illinois border and was surrounded by friends, including Wolfe.

Although Wolfe did not reveal the cause of Fritz’s death, the star has had a number of health problems in recent years. He suffered from Crohn’s disease and underwent back surgery (in which he suffered 185 stitches and two rods in his spine) after filming his final season of “Pickers” in 2021 and was hospitalized for a stroke in 2022.

Fritz co-hosted “American Pickers” for 20 full seasons, from the show’s inception in 2010 to 2021, appearing less frequently in season 21, reportedly due to a dispute with Wolfe. The couple appeared to have patched things up in 2023. Wolfe’s brother Robbie replaced Fritz as co-host.

The popular History Channel show followed Fritz and Wolfe as they traveled across the United States in search of rare artifacts and national treasures to sell in their antique shops or keep for their personal collections.

Wolfe wasn’t the only American Pickers star to pay tribute to Fritz. See how his friends and former colleagues remember the star below.

Danielle Colby

The manager of Wolfe’s Antique Archeology store, Danielle Colby, mourned Fritz’s death in an Instagram post.

“Frank, I’ll miss your ability to make everyone laugh, your love for talking tattoos, your epic collections, but what I’ll miss most are those little glimpses of vulnerability every now and then,” she captioned one late Series of photos with her co-star. “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.”

She signed: “Rest in Peace Road Dog.”

Robbie Wolfe

Mike Wolfe’s brother, Robbie Wolfe, said: “It is with a heavy heart that I 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,” he continued.

“Preferably just the time to sit in a fishing boat and talk about life. I know you’re in a better place… I love you buddy, I hope you catch the big one 🎣, see you in heaven and keep the boat steady.”

Jon Szalay

“It is very sad to say that we lost Frank Fritz last night,” John Szalay, also known as “Jersey Jon,” wrote on Instagram on Monday. Jon appeared in the early seasons of American Pickers as a friend of Wolfe and Fritz.

“Watching Mike and Frank put on the great American Pickers show was a real thrill for me and I was proud to see my friends take off!” Frank was a good friend and always brought me something he picked from the show . We would turn around and discuss the things he chose and with his sharp wit and humor we always had a great time together.

“Thank you, brother,” he finished. “Save the good stuff for me when we meet again.”

The History Channel

The History Channel and “American Pickers” producers Cineflix Productions paid tribute to Fritz in a joint statement to The Post on Tuesday.

“We are sad to announce that our friend and beloved member of the History Channel and American Pickers family, Frank Fritz, passed away on September 30, 2024. Frank filmed American Pickers for over a decade,” the statement said.

“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.”

Bill Stankey

“Frank Fritz was an extraordinary human being,” Fritz’s representative, Bill Stankey, told the Post. “He loved life, he cared about people, he always had a kind word to say and he knew more about Americana and antiques than anyone I have ever met. He was the host of American Pickers. He will be missed by his friends, family and fans.”