Frank Fritz, one of the original stars of “American Pickers,” has passed away. A close family friend reported that Fritz died peacefully on Monday evening in Davenport, surrounded by friends, including his co-star Mike Wolfe, who traveled from Tennessee to be by his side.
Fritz had been recovering from a stroke he suffered in July 2022 and had been undergoing therapy and rehabilitation, but he encountered some additional health challenges.
Mike Wolfe took to Instagram to express his condolences, saying, “Frank passed away last night. 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. Off camera, he was the same as on, and Frank had a unique ability to connect with people simply by being himself.”
Born in Davenport, Fritz was active in the Quad Cities Area and owned a shop in Savanna, Illinois, called “Frank Fritz Finds.”
“American Pickers” premiered on the History Channel in 2010, featuring Fritz and Wolfe as they explored old barns in search of collectibles and unique items. The duo has established three stores to showcase their finds, with the main location in LeClaire, Iowa.