Frank Fritz, who drove across the U.S. in search of antiques and collectibles to purchase and resell on the truth present “American Pickers,” has died.
He died Monday night time at a hospice facility in Davenport, Iowa, mentioned Annette Oberlander, a longtime pal. She mentioned he was 60, not 58, as some web sites and information sources mentioned.
She mentioned she was at his bedside, as was Mike Wolfe, who starred with Fritz for greater than a decade on the Historical past Channel program. A mixture of “Antiques Roadshow” and “Hoarders,” the present follows the buddies as they crisscross the nation looking for a chunk of historical past.
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“The identical off digicam as he was on, Frank had a manner of reaching the hearts of so many by simply being himself,” Wolfe mentioned an Instagram put up mourning the lack of his pal.
“We’re saddened to share that our pal and beloved member of The HISTORY Channel and American Pickers household, Frank Fritz, has handed away on September 30, 2024,” the “American Pickers” present wrote on its social media account.
The pair drove some 70,000 miles a 12 months looking for items that captured their consideration.
“If you stroll into an vintage store, chances are high 95% of the time, that supplier shouldn’t be shopping for all of that stuff,” Wolfe advised CBS Sunday Morning in a 2020 interview.
Fritz labored for the present for over a decade, the present mentioned, describing him as a “bearded charmer” on a endless seek for classic bikes and bikes.
“Our ideas are with Frank’s family members throughout this troublesome time. He will likely be deeply missed,” the put up mentioned.
Oberlander, his pal, mentioned Fritz had a stroke in 2022 and by no means totally recovered. She mentioned a celebration of life, which is able to embrace a motorbike run, will doubtless occur within the spring.
“He was a fierce pal,” Oberlander mentioned. “He leaves behind an unbelievable quantity of friendships as a result of that is what was most essential to him. A really great amount of friendships. Shut friendships.”