Mike Wolfe is speaking out to open up about the final years of his close friend and American Pickers co-star Frank Fritz. He tragically died in September of 2024 at the age of 60 due to complications from a stroke. This comes after Wolfe launched his new show History’s Greatest Picks with Mike Wolfe on Sunday.
Wolfe Pays Tribute To Fritz
Wolfe, 61, told Fox News that there never would have been an American Pickers without Fritz.
“Frank was there side by side with me when I was pitching the show for five years,” Wolfe recalled. “He never doubted it, just like I never doubted it. We were so focused on what we wanted to do, what we had dreamed of doing together. I filmed with Frank for a little over 10 years, and he’s been part of my family for longer than that. We’ve been friends since eighth grade. He was the godfather to my nieces.”
“To be completely honest with you, I wouldn’t be talking to you now if it wasn’t for Frank,” Wolfe continued. “Frank and I built American Pickers. We worked side by side for more than 10 years to make that show.”
Wolfe grew up with Fritz in a small town in Iowa. It was Wolfe who came up with the idea of driving across the U.S. to find collectibles to buy and resell. Fritz immediately signed on, and season one of American Pickers premiered on The History Channel in 2010.
Sadly, Fritz soon began battling personal demons behind the scenes. He sought treatment for alcohol abuse before he left American Pickers. According to The Sun, he was fired from the show. Afterwards, Fritz said that he and Wolfe were no longer on speaking terms. He also said that he often felt overshadowed by Wolfe.
“It’s unfortunate that we had so much bad press,” said Wolfe. “Frank was at a point in his life where he was doing a lot of things that he shouldn’t have been doing. And it doesn’t matter what I want for someone. They have to want it for themselves. And so, it was very sad.”
Wolfe And Fritz Reunite
Thankfully, Wolfe and Fritz reunited before the latter’s death. They quickly began discussions about Fritz returning to American Pickers. Sadly, Fritz suffered a stroke in 2022 that prevented this from happening. He tragically never fully recovered from this stroke .
“Unfortunately, he ended up toward the end of his life in a nursing home for a few years,” said Wolfe. “I would go see him all the time, and we would talk. We loved each other. We’ve always loved each other.”
Wolfe ultimately held Fritz’s hand as he took his final breath.
“There’s a place we used to pick — just acres of things to dig through,” Wolfe remembered. “Before the show, before the cameras, we were exactly the same. We just had incredible chemistry together, I miss him so much.”
“I actually thought about Frank a lot when I was filming this new show,” Wolfe confessed. “I felt a little bit like a duck out of water here. I’m speaking directly to the camera; I’m not just riffing as we did. My craziness had to be harnessed, but I learned a lot making this series.”
Wolfe went on to express his belief that fans who miss Wolfe will enjoy History’s Greatest Picks.
“It’s an extension of American Pickers, but we’re not covering something I picked,” he said. “It’s about items others have found. I love being the person who now introduces the story. And in the first episode, we talk about a Strap Tank Harley. Come on, that’s what I’m all about.”
History’s Greatest Picks with Mike Wolfe airs at 9pm on The History Channel on Sundays. If you were a fan of American Pickers, be sure to check it out!