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    • Mike Wolfe mourns the loss of American Pickers co-star Frank Fritz.
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    Mike Wolfe mourns the loss of American Pickers co-star Frank Fritz.

    Madoc Meredith Posted on

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    Frank Fritz, one half of the “American Pickers” duo, died on Monday. For nearly a decade, the charismatic antiquarian and his co-star Mike Wolfe traveled to small towns across the country in search of hidden treasures.

    “We are sad to announce that our friend and beloved member of the History Channel and the American Pickers family, Frank Fritz, has passed away,” the History Channel and Cineflix Productions said in a joint statement to USA TODAY. “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.”

    Fritz’s death comes two years after the former History Channel star was hospitalized following a stroke.

    Fritz’s representative, Bill Stankey, told USA TODAY that the former History Channel host is “an extraordinary human being.”

    “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’ve ever met,” Stankey told USA TODAY. Stankey added that Fritz was “the anchor of the American Pickers” and “will be missed by his friends, family and fans,” he said.

    Who was Frank Fritz?

    Fritz was one of the stars of the popular History Channel show “American Pickers,” which followed Fritz and Wolfe as they traveled across the United States in search of antiques and collectibles. The pair rummaged and “ransacked” people’s homes, attics and junkyards looking for expensive items to buy and resell.

    Shortly after the show premiered, co-star Wolfe moved from Iowa to Leiper’s Fork and opened an antique store in Nashville. In 2021, Wolfe praised Nashville for helping launch the show.

    The series premiered in 2010 with Fritz and Wolfe as co-stars, however Fritz did not appear on the series again during the 21st season. In July 2021, Wolfe confirmed on social media that Fritz would no longer appear on the series.

    “I will miss Frank, as will all of you, and I pray for the very best and all the best for him on the next part of his journey,” Wolfe wrote on Instagram.

    As previously reported by USA TODAY, although Wolfe expressed that he had a close relationship with Fritz at the time, Fritz revealed to The Sun in July 2021 that he and his old co-star had not spoken in “two years.” that he also didn’t leave the show.

    Wolfe later addressed the rumors of a falling out after Fritz suffered a stroke in 2022.

    “I have been very reserved over the past year about Frank’s life and the journey he has taken,” Wolfe wrote on Instagram. “There have been many opinions about 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.”

    Mike Wolfe mourns Frank Fritz: “I love you, buddy, and I’ll miss you so much”

    On Tuesday, Wolfe shared a heartfelt message on Instagram mourning the loss of his friend and longtime former co-star. Wolfe described Fritz as a funny and sensitive “dreamer” who was the same off camera as he was in front of it. Wolfe added that Fritz touched the hearts of many by simply being himself.

    “Who would have ever thought we would be sharing the cockpit of a white van in front of millions of people interested in our adventures,” Wolfe said.

    Wolfe shared that before “American Pickers,” the two had set out and explored unknown places with no real destination in mind, just a shared passion to discover something “interesting and historic.”

    “We have taken countless trips and covered so many miles together, and I feel blessed to have been by his side as he made one final journey home,” Wolfe said. “I love you buddy and will miss you so much I know you (sic) are in a better place.”

    Contributor: USA TODAY

    Diana Leyva covers breaking news and service journalism for The Tennessean. Contact her at [email protected] or follow her on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, at @_leyvadiana

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    Madoc Meredith
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