‘American Pickers’ Host Mike Wolfe Held Frank Fritz’s Hand as ‘He Took His Last Breath’: I Was at His Bedside ‘For About an Hour Before He Passed’

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Mike Wolfe, the host of “American Pickers”, shared with People magazine that he was by Frank Fritz’s side during his passing last year. For a decade and countless episodes, they were a staple on the History Channel, traveling across the country to find antiques and artifacts for their shop or personal collections. The show, “American Pickers”, documented their journeys together.

Wolf shared with People that he received the news he wasn’t faring well. He expressed gratitude for being able to be there. He stayed for approximately an hour before his passing, and during this time, he held his hand and gently stroked his chest until his final breath. When it happened, he closed his eyes using his fingers.

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Wolf informed People that they weren’t doing well. He felt fortunate to have been present. He stayed for around an hour before the end, holding his hand and comforting him by rubbing his chest. When he took his last breath, Wolf closed his eyes gently with his fingers.

In his concluding remarks, Wolfe mentioned that he reassured Fritz by saying he wasn’t angry with him, expressed his love and deep concern for him. As Fritz appeared distressed, Wolfe urged him to locate his mother immediately. “Go find your mom. Go now. Find her quickly,” Wolfe said.

I was deeply saddened to learn about Fritz’s passing, which Wolfe shared on social media. This beloved television figure tragically succumbed to complications from cerebral vascular disease at the age of 60. In his poignant tribute, Wolfe beautifully encapsulated Fritz’s essence: “I’ve been friends with Frank for over half my life, and what you saw on TV was always a reflection of who he truly was – a dreamer, as sensitive as he was humorous. Behind the scenes, he remained the same warm, heart-touching individual that shone on camera.

As a die-hard cinephile, I could’ve never imagined that I’d be co-piloting a white cargo van with you, broadcasting our escapades to millions of fellow enthusiasts. Before each episode, we’d embark on journeys to unknown territories, guided only by our shared curiosity and the quest to uncover something fascinating and historically significant… I adore you buddy, and I know the distance between us will be felt deeply. You’re in a far better place now.

“The television series ‘American Pickers’ premiered on the History Channel on January 18, 2010 and has continued airing for an impressive 25 seasons. Regrettably, one of its long-time cast members, Fritz, suffered a stroke in the summer of 2022. His health issues had caused him to take a step back from the show a few years prior, but he was still a regular until the end of the 2020 season.”

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2025-04-03 17:49