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 had traveled from Tennessee to be by his side.
Fritz had been in recovery following a stroke he suffered in July 2022 but encountered further health challenges. In an emotional Instagram post, Mike Wolfe expressed his sorrow, stating, “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. The same off-camera as he was on, Frank had a way of reaching the hearts of so many by just being himself.”
Born in Davenport, Fritz was well-known in the Quad Cities area and operated his own shop in Savanna, Illinois, called “Frank Fritz Finds.” He was 60 years old.
“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 operates three stores to display their finds, with the main location in LeClaire, Iowa.