"Frank Fritz, star of 'American Pickers,' dies at 60"

 Frank Fritz, known for his role on the History Channel's antique collector show “American Pickers,” has passed away at the age of 60. His co-host and creator of the show, Mike Wolfe, shared the news in a heartfelt statement on Facebook, revealing that Fritz died on Monday. Wolfe reflected on their long friendship, saying he had known Fritz for over half his life and described him as "a dreamer who was as sensitive as he was funny."

Wolfe added, “Frank was the same off-camera as he was on. He had a special way of touching the hearts of many by simply being himself. We’ve shared countless trips and miles together, and I feel blessed to have been with him as he took his final journey home.”

CNN reached out to Fritz's manager for more details, but no cause of death has been confirmed. His passing follows two years after Wolfe shared on Instagram that Fritz had been hospitalized due to a stroke.

Fritz was a central figure on “American Pickers,” which debuted in 2010. The show followed him and Wolfe as they traveled the country in search of valuable antiques to restore and resell in their shops.

A representative for the History Channel and Cineflix Productions, which produces the show, expressed their sorrow in a statement to CNN, saying, “We are deeply saddened to share that our dear friend and a beloved member of The HISTORY Channel and American Pickers family, Frank Fritz, passed away on September 30, 2024. Frank’s charm and his relentless pursuit of vintage motorcycles and bikes will always be remembered. Our thoughts are with his loved ones during this difficult time. He will be greatly missed.”