American Pickerslost a major star, not just with Frank Fritz’s departure, but with his recent tragic passing. Premiering in 2010 and still going strong 26 seasons in,American Pickersfollows a group of collectors who travel across the United States collecting rare antiques to add to their personal collections, for their clients and even for resale. Though some question whetherAmerican Pickersis one of thefaker shows on the History Channel, there’s no denying its popularity and hype. The show plays more like a treasure hunt than an antique hunt, which adds to its appeal and suspense.
Frank was one of the main stars on the show for over 10 years, along with his co-star Mike Wolfe and Wolfe’s business partner,associate Danielle Colby. Many episodes focused on Fritz’s and Wolfe’s respective businesses and their desire to find one-of-a-kind pieces of Americana. Sadly, Frank and Mike were often at each other’s throats, leading to a very public feud. However, it looks like the formerAmerican Pickersduo were able to mend fences before it was too late.
American Pickers' Frank Fritz Died Of A Stroke At The Age Of 60
Frank Fritz died unexpectedly on September 30th, 2024. A death certificate obtained byTMZconfirms Fritz died from a stroke. The reality star also suffered from a chronic condition called aortic stenosis that hinders the body’s blood flow. Reports show that Fritz’s aortic stenosis and his cerebral vascular disease both contributed to his death. Fritz’sAmerican Pickersco-starMike Wolfe announced his death via Instagram on October 1st and wrote atouching caption honoring his co-star.Fritz’s other co-stars like Danielle Colby and Fritz’s replacement on the show, Robert Wolfe also expressed their condolences via social media (viaParade).
However, the stroke that killed Fritz wasn’t his first, asFrank suffered another stroke back in 2022after he officially leftAmerican Pickers. Sadly, Fritz’s final days were reportedly very painful, emotionally. According toCollider, Frank was never able to get over leavingAmerican Pickersin 2021. He was also distraught after the end of his engagement with Diann Bankson.
He was also reported to be in a great deal of physical pain before his death. His longtime manager Bill Stansey confirmed that Frank had Crohn’s disease, which is a chronic digestive issue. Frank also allegedly suffered from alcohol addiction for many years. All of these issues only added to Fritz’s pain leading up to his eventual death.
Why Frank Left American Pickers
His Departure Was Messy
In 2021, Frank Fitz leftAmerican Pickersafter back surgery. However, as he was recovering, Fritz expressedinterested in returning to the show.But the network reportedly did not want to bring him back. Instead, he was replaced by his co-star’s brother, Robert Wolfe. Reports claim that Fritz was “never the same” after being dropped from the show (viaYahoo!). Fritz and his co-star Mike Wolf were also feuding for several years prior to Frank’ss death.
In short, their falling out stemmed from professional and personal issues. After Fritz’s surgery in 2021, he claims Wolfe never reached out to him to check in on his recovery. DuringAmerican Pickers' production, Fritz also claims that he frequently took a back seat to Wolfe’s desires. While Fritz officially left the show because of his back surgery, he was also undergoing treatment for his alcoholism.
After spending some time away to heal, Fritz wanted to return toAmerican Pickers, which Wolfe took issue with. Wolfe claims Fritz hadn’t fully tackled his alcohol problem and therefore wasn’t ready to return to the show. On top of the feuding, Fritz’s health worsened. But Wolfe chose to set personal squabbles aside and wish Fritz the best after his stroke in 2022. Wolfe said viaInstagramin 2022:
I have been very private in the past year in regards to Franks life and the journey he’s been on. There has been lots of opinions in regards to mine and Frank’s friendship and the show but now is not the time to set the record straight. Now is the time to pray for my friend. Frank has suffered a stroke and is in the hospital. Please keep him in your hearts and thoughts.
Frank I pray more than anything that you make it through this okay. I love you buddy.
The pair eventually reunited on Memorial Day weekend in 2023. BothFritz and Wolfe had wanted to see each other for a while before they met up to bury the hatchet. Their reunion led to fans wanting Fritz and Wolfe to reunite onAmerican Pickers, but Fritz chose to focus on his health. Even though the pair never appeared together again on television, their bond remained strong until Fritz’s untimely death. As Wolfe said, “No one can replace you,Frank.”
American Pickers
Cast
American Pickers follows antique and collectible enthusiasts Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz as they travel across the United States seeking valuable or rare Americana. The show provides insight into American history through the lens of vintage items discovered in barns, garages, and basements, all while showcasing the negotiation and buying process. Danielle Colby runs the home base, assisting with leads and sales logistics. The series emphasizes the cultural significance of rediscovered artifacts.
