Oh, Frank Fritz, you will be missed! Frank, the beloved cohost of the hit TV reality series “American Pickers,” has passed away at the age of 60. The sad news was shared by his longtime friend and co-star Mike Wolfe on October 1st. In a heartfelt Instagram post, Wolfe painted a picture of a true dreamer, someone who was just as sensitive as he was funny—both on and off camera.
For those of us who were glued to History Channel from 2010, watching Frank and Mike scour the nooks and crannies of America’s heartland for hidden treasures, this marks the end of an era. Their chemistry as co-pickers carried the show for a solid decade, making history and finding stories in every dusty barn and cluttered attic. Mike reminisced about their countless trips in that iconic white cargo van, driven by nothing more than a shared passion for the hunt and the thrill of discovery.
Yet, Frank’s journey wasn’t always smooth. His adventurous spirit on the show was shadowed by his real-life struggles, including a major back surgery and a publicly shared story of battling Crohn’s Disease. Despite taking a break from “American Pickers” in March 2020 and officially leaving the show in 2021, his legacy and the joy he brought to millions remain untarnished.
In the end, Frank’s final chapter was marked by health issues, including a stroke last year that led to his hospitalization. While Mike Wolfe and the “American Pickers” crew have lost a dear friend, we fans can only hope Frank’s newfound journey brings him the peace and adventures he sought.
Rest easy, Frank. The barn finds won’t be the same without you.
Mike ” Sandman” Sanders
