American Pickers presenter Frank Fritz dies aged 60 two years after suffering stroke

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Actuality star and former American Pickers presenter Frank Fritz has died on the age of 60.

His demise on Monday (September 30) comes two years after he suffered a debilitating stroke in October 2022.

“It’s with a damaged coronary heart that I share with all of you that Frank handed away final night time,” Fritz’s former co-star Mike Wolfe introduced on Instagram on Tuesday (October 1).

Alongside an image of the 2 of them, Wolfe wrote: “I’ve recognized Frank for greater than half my life and what you’ve seen on TV has at all times 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 method of reaching the hearts of so many by simply being himself.

“Who would have ever dreamed we’d share the cockpit of a white cargo van in entrance of tens of millions of individuals excited about our adventures,” he continued. “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.

“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 dwelling. I really like you buddy and can miss you a lot I do know you’re in a greater place.”

Born in Davenport, Iowa, Fritz rose to fame as a longtime co-host on American Pickers, a actuality present that adopted him and Wolfe as they traveled throughout America looking for uncommon artifacts to promote of their Vintage Archaeology shops in Le Claire, Iowa, and Nashville, Tennessee.

Fritz stepped again from the Historical past Channel present in March 2020 after he underwent again surgical procedure. Nonetheless, regardless of being open about his want to return to the present, it was revealed in July 2021 that he had been changed by Wolfe’s brother Mike.

In October 2022, it was reported that Fritz had been positioned beneath non permanent guardianship after he suffered a stroke that left him “unable to speak, or perform necessary selections regarding his personal monetary affairs.”

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Following information of his demise, The Historical past Channel and American Pickers manufacturing firm Cineflix Manufacturing launched a joint assertion, which learn: “Frank filmed American Pickers for over a decade. We are going to at all times keep in mind ‘the bearded charmer’ and his endless seek for classic bikes and bikes.

“Our ideas are with Frank’s family members throughout this tough time. He shall be deeply missed.”

In addition to co-hosting American Pickers for 10 years, Fritz additionally featured on different Historical past Channel collection, together with Pawn Stars and American Restoration. He additionally lent his voice to an episode of the grownup cartoon Household Man.