‘American Pickers’ star Frank Fritz has died

WASHINGTON — Frank Fritz, the former co-host of antiquing show “American Pickers,” has died, his longtime ex co-host and friend Mike Wolfe shared on Tuesday.  

Wolfe revealed “with a broken heart” that Fritz died Monday night. 

“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 your in a better place,” Wolfe wrote Tuesday on social media. 

“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,” Wolfe added. 

Fritz, 58, was for years the co-host of the popular History Channel series. He left the production in March 2020 and officially departed the show between episodes 7 and 8 of the 20th season. 

Details about his death were not immediately released. Wolfe previously revealed in July 2022 that Fritz had been hospitalized after suffering a stroke and asked viewers to pray for his former co-star. 

The Des Moines Register reported in June 2023 that Fritz had been receiving in-patient care since suffering that debilitating stroke and was placed under a temporary guardianship. The two reportedly reunited over Memorial Day last year after three years apart. 

This is a breaking news story and will be updated.