Frank Fritz, the star of American Pickers, sadly passed away on Monday, September 30, at the age of 60. His friend and co-star Mike Wolfe announced the news on Facebook and Instagram on Tuesday, October 1, stating,
“It’s with a broken heart that I share with all of you that Frank passed away last night.”
Wolfe continued,
“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. The same off camera as he was on, Frank had a way of reaching the hearts of so many by just being himself.”
In his role on American Pickers, Frank Fritz, whose estimated net worth was $6 Million according to Celebrity Net Worth, traveled across America seeking treasures in the most unexpected places.
More about Frank Fritz’s Life and Career
The reality television series American Pickers, which premiered on The History Channel in 2010, brought Frank Fritz into the spotlight as a co-host. However, his career began long before the show aired.
According to Celebrity Net Worth, after graduating, Frank worked for 25 years as a fire inspector while amassing memorabilia related to firefighters and firehouses. He saw the potential for a successful business when he bought an item for $15 and sold it for $475.
Additionally, Frank’s love for motorcycles led him to work as a teenager at Coast to Coast Hardware and Quad-City Automatic Sprinkler to save up for a $4,100 Harley-Davidson motorcycle.
In 2002, Frank Fritz began collecting antiques and vintage items, which led him to open his antique shop, Frank Fritz Finds, in Savanna, Illinois. Taking a break from his fire safety career, he became well-known among collectors and designers for his knack for discovering antique cars and toys, garnering attention from The History Channel.
As noted by Marca in their post on October 1, American Pickers has consistently achieved high ratings across various age demographics and has ranked highly among non-fiction television shows. The series follows Fritz and Wolfe as they search for rare and collectible items across the country.
According to Celebrity Net Worth, the show attracted a wide audience, quickly rising to become the highest-rated non-fiction program on television, with over 300 episodes aired across 22 seasons and an audience exceeding three million viewers.
In addition to American Pickers, Frank lent his voice to an episode of the animated series American Dad! in 2017 and appeared on several other TV shows, including Rachael Ray, Cincy Entertainment, American Restoration, Late Show with David Letterman, Pawn Stars, and Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.
Beyond television, Frank showcased his writing skills by publishing two books: How to Pick Vintage Motorcycles (2013) and American Pickers Guide to Picking (2011), providing readers with insights into the world of antiques and vintage collectibles.
Frank Fritz battled Crohn’s disease, an inflammatory bowel condition, for over 30 years and also suffered a stroke in 2022. The precise cause of his death remains unspecified.
In revealing the sad news, co-star Mike Wolfe shared on Instagram,
“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 added,
“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 you’re in a better place.”
As of now, the family of Frank Fritz has not released a formal statement regarding his passing.
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