Frank Fritz has tragically passed away at the age of 60.
News of the American Pickers star’s death was shared by his friend and co-star Mike Wolfe in an emotional tribute on Instagram on Tuesday (October 1).
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Sharing a photo of the two of them, Wolfe penned: “It’s with a broken heart that I share with all of you that 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,” Wolfe continued in the emotional tribute. “The same off camera as he was on, Frank had a way of reaching the hearts of so many by just being himself.”
Wolfe added: “Who would have ever dreamed we would share the cockpit of a white cargo van in front of millions of people interested in our adventures.
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“Before the show we would take off together to places we never knew existed with no destination in mind and just the 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 concluded his message to fans. “I love you buddy and will miss you so much I know [you’re] in a better place.”
Fritz’s death comes after he suffered a devastating stroke back in July 2022, per The Sun. The heartbreaking incident left the reality TV star in and out of the hospital, as he battled bouts of pneumonia and rigorous rehabilitation over the last two years.
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He had also battled Crohn’s disease for more than 35 years.
The Sun adds that fellow co-star Danielle Colby also shared a series of photos with her late friend to pay tribute, writing in the caption: “Frank, I will miss your ability to make everyone laugh, your love for talking tattoos, your epic collections but what I will miss the most are those little glimpses of vulnerability from time to time.
“Frank, you loved your cat and your momma and we bonded on those things. You will be missed for all of these reasons and so many more.
“Rest in Peace Road Dog.”
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And Robbie Wolfe – who served as Fritz replacement on American Pickers – also wrote on social media: “It’s with a heavy heart I’m sad to say my friend Frank Fritz has passed away last night.
“You all knew him from TV. But I knew him from traveling, fishing and Family he was the godfather to my twin girls. His smile was contagious and his laughter will be missed.”
In American Pickers, Fritz and Wolfe gained a following as the lovable Midwestern pickers who would often be seen searching for rare artifacts as they turned somebody else’s trash into treasure.
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He appeared in more than 300 episodes of the show – which currently boasts 25 seasons. He left the show in March 2020 following a hellacious back surgery that left him with 185 stitches and two rods in his spine.
Fortunately, his health briefly improved after the surgery, as he dropped 65lbs.
The show was immensely popular with its fanbase, with many viewers taking to social media to also pay tribute to Fritz.
“Main reason I watched that show was for, Frank. When he left, I didn’t really watch it that much. Something was missing without, Frank. RIP Frank,” one fan wrote. “You were what I call, Good People.”
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Another added: “Dang I used to watch this show all the time! They did an episode in my hometown. RIP.”
In 2021, Fritz opened up in an interview with The Sun about his time in rehab, where he was treated for alcohol addiction.
Speaking of the 77 days he spent at the Abbey Center in Bettendorf, Iowa, Fritz said: “I had a great time there, and I helped other people who were having problems too. It’s one of the best things that have happened to me.”
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He went on to become a sponsor for others battling addiction.
Sadly, following his stroke in 2022, Fritz’s health suffered so much that MidWestOne Bank was legally named as Frank’s conservator, while his long-time friend Chris Davis served as his guardian.
Our thoughts go out to Fritz’s family, friends, and fans at this time.