American Pickers" star and host Frank Fritz has passed away at the age of 60, as confirmed by loved ones and his co-star on the popular TV show.
Fritz, a native of Iowa, passed away on Monday evening surrounded by friends and family, according to a post on a page for Fritz's friends.
"This is a very tough announcement to make," the post began. It added that this is "a very rough time for us."
The post noted that Fritz's co-star on the show, Mike Wolfe, traveled from Nashville to be by his side.
"I'm sharing with all of you with a heavy heart that Frank passed away last night," Wolfe posted on Instagram. "I've known Frank for more than half of my life, and what you've seen on TV has always been the same person I've known - a dreamer who was just as sensitive as he was funny. Off camera, he was the same as he was on camera. Frank had a way of touching the hearts of so many just by being himself. Who would have ever thought that we would share the cockpit of a white cargo van in front of millions of people interested in our adventures."interested in our adventures."
Wolf fondly remembered the pair's adventures, traveling aimlessly even before their show began, driven by their shared passion to discover something interesting and historic.
"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," Wolfe wrote. "I love you, buddy, and will miss you so much. I know you're in a better place."
Fritz appeared in more than 300 episodes of "American Pickers" between 2010 and 2021.
In 2022, he experienced a severe stroke and significantly reduced his public appearances as he focused on his recovery. In July, a close friend provided an update, mentioning that "despite the challenging adjustments to his new life, he has encountered numerous obstacles while working hard."
The History Channel stated to NBC News on Tuesday that Fritz will be "deeply missed."
"Frank filmed 'American Pickers' for over a decade," the statement said. "We will always remember ‘the bearded charmer’ and his never-ending search for vintage motorcycles and bikes. Our thoughts are with Frank’s loved ones during this difficult time.
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