American Pickers’ Frank Fritz and Mike Wolfe’s Ups and Downs

American Pickers stars Frank Fritz and Mike Wolfe had a variety of ups and downs of their decades-long friendship.

The pair started working collectively on hit sequence in 2009 and the present premiered on the Historical past Channel the next yr. The sequence adopted Wolfe and Fritz’s travels throughout america looking for antiques to resell or add to their private collections.

Whereas the collectible pickers efficiently labored collectively for 21 seasons, rumors swirled that the boys had a falling out after Fritz was noticeably lacking from the present in 2020. One yr later, Fritz revealed he left the present to have again surgical procedure and subsequently had a falling out with Wolfe.

“I haven’t talked to Mike in two years,” Fritz stated in a July 2021 interview with The Solar. “He knew my again was tousled, however he didn’t name me up and ask how I used to be doing. That’s simply how it’s.”

Three years later, Fritz died on the age of 60 from the consequences of a stroke. Wolfe shared the information and hinted that he and Fritz had rekindled their friendship.

Preserve scrolling for a glance again on Wolfe and Fritz’s ups and downs:

January 2010

American Pickers season 1 kicked off firstly of the New 12 months. Followers fell in love with Fritz and Wolfe’s dynamic as they explored by van searching for collectibles. The sequence premiere raked in 3.1 million viewers, making it the highest-rated Historical past Channel debut.

2019

Rigidity between Fritz and Wolfe started after working collectively for a decade.

March 2020

Fritz made his last look on American Pickers in season 21.

July 2021

After confirming his exit, Fritz shared in an interview with The Solar that he felt that Wolfe was the larger star on the fact sequence.

“The present is tilted in the direction of him 1,000 p.c. I can’t even bend that far down to indicate you ways a lot,” he mirrored. “That’s fantastic. It’s like, you’ve bought Aerosmith and there’s Steven Tyler and he’s the entrance man. I discovered my spot, I’m second and he’s No. 1 on the present. That’s no drawback with me, perhaps he does have an issue.”

Fritz additionally claimed that he felt like Wolfe needed to “substitute” him along with his brother Robbie Wolfe, who has made appearances.

“I don’t know why he’s behaving like that in the direction of me. You couldn’t simply stick two folks in a van and get the chemistry you get from me and Mike,” he stated. “We’ve identified one another for about 40 years. We will end one another’s sentences. When everyone is getting alongside and there’s no drama, me and him are excellent collectively.”

Mike didn’t tackle the allegations however did launch an announcement relating to Fritz’s exit.

“I’ve identified Frank for so long as I can keep in mind, he’s been like a brother to me. The journey that Frank, Dani [Colby] and I began again in 2009, like all of life, has include its highs and lows, blessings and challenges, nevertheless it has additionally been probably the most rewarding,” he wrote by way of Instagram. “The help that you just all have given us has been a continuing reminder of what the present’s message has all the time been; [through] these locations, folks, and issues all of us have a standard thread. We’re right here to not solely handle the previous, but in addition one another.”

He added that was going to “miss” Fritz and wished him “the easiest and all good issues for him on the following a part of his journey.”

August 2021

One month later, Fritz slammed Mike’s assertion and known as it “bulls—.”

“Mike didn’t name me himself, by no means, like I stated — we haven’t spoken for 2 years,” he alleged to The Solar. “That’s the 100% fact and I don’t like those that mislead folks. I’m not a liar only for the truth that my mind can’t keep in mind if I lied or not.”

July 2022

One yr after the drama went down, Mike revealed that Fritz was within the hospital after affected by a stroke.

“I’ve been very personal prior to now yr with regard to Frank’s life and the journey he’s been on,” Wolfe wrote by way of Instagram. “There was plenty of opinions with regard to mine and Frank’s friendship and the present however now is just not the time to set the document straight. Now’s the time to hope for my good friend.”

Might 2023

The Quad-Metropolis Instances reported that Mike and Fritz reunited throughout Memorial Day weekend. In response to the outlet, Mike needed Fritz to think about returning to American Pickers. Nonetheless, Fritz needed to prioritize his well being amid his battle with Crohn’s Illness.

October 2024

Mike introduced that Fritz handed away and he bought to spend a few of his last moments along with his previous pal.

“I’ve identified Frank for greater than half my life and what you’ve seen on TV has all the time been what I’ve seen, a dreamer who was simply as delicate as he was humorous. The identical off digital camera as he was on, Frank had a means of reaching the hearts of so many by simply being himself,” Mike wrote by way of Instagram. “Who would have ever dreamed we’d share the cockpit of a white cargo van in entrance of hundreds of thousands of individuals fascinated about our adventures.”

He mirrored on how far the twosome had come from their days as pals to their success on American Pickers.

“Earlier than the present we’d take off collectively to locations we by no means knew existed with no vacation spot in thoughts and simply the shared ardour to find one thing attention-grabbing and historic,” he continued. “We’ve been on numerous journeys and shared so many miles and I really feel blessed that I used to be there by his aspect when he took one final journey house. I really like you buddy and can miss you a lot I do know [you’re] in a greater place.”