Fans are devastated at the news that Frank Fritz, the antiques expert who gained fame on the reality series American Pickers, has died at 60.
Fritz, who left the series in 2021, had been suffering from health problems and was hospitalized from a stroke two years ago.
The news was announced by Fritz’s friend and co-star Mike Wolfe, who said that Fritz passed away last night.
“I’ve know 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 wrote in a social media tribute. “The same off camera as he was on, Frank had a way of reaching the hearts of so many by just being himself.”
Fritz and Wolfe gained fame as the hosts of the reality TV series American Pickers, which premiered on the History Channel in 2010. The series showed the two “pickers” traveling across the USA, searching for valuable antiques and collectibles in unexpected places.
“We’re looking for amazing things buried in people’s garages and barns,” the show’s opening narration explains. “What most people see as junk, we see as dollar signs. We’ll buy anything we think we can make a buck on.”
“We make a living telling the history of America… one piece at a time.”
The series attracted millions of viewers, becoming one of History Channel’s most popular programs. In its debut year it was the #1 non-fiction series among total viewers and adults 25-54.
While the antiques were often interesting, there’s no doubt it was the chemistry and charisma of the two hosts that kept viewers coming back for more.
In 2021, it was announced that Fritz would be leaving American Pickers after a decade on the hit series. Fritz said the decision was not his own, and that he was pushed out by the network after a back surgery.
“I didn’t leave the show,” he told The Sun at the time. “I finished shooting and then I had a little back surgery and the pandemic came.”
He also suggested that his co-host’s ego was a factor, saying the show had “tilted towards him 1,000 percent.” “I haven’t talked to Mike in two years,” Fritz said. “He knew my back was messed up, but he didn’t call me up and ask how I was doing. That’s just how it is.”
In July 2022, Fritz was hospitalized from a stroke. In 2023, he had a tearful reunion with Mike Wolfe, and the two resolved their purported feud. However, Fritz declined an offer to rejoin American Pickers, deciding to focus on his health.
It’s clear that the two former co-hosts have remained friendly since then, and it seems Wolfe was by his side til the end.
“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 wrote on Instagram. “I love you buddy and will miss you so much I know [you’re] in a better place.”
American Pickers remains a staple of the History Channel lineup. Fritz has never officially been replaced as co-host, though series regulars like Danielle Colby, Mike Wolfe’s brother Robbie, and friend and antiques expert “Jersey Jon” Szalay will rotate accompanying Wolfe on his antiquing trips.
Colby also shared her own tribute to Fritz on social media. “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,” she wrote.
“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.”
Rest in peace to the iconic reality TV star Frank Fritz 😢🙏 Please share this story in his memory.
Mother births 3rd set of twins, but when she sees birth certificate she can’t believe her eyes
In a whirlwind of astonishing occurrences, a Wisconsin couple found themselves caught in the enigmatic thread of fate as they welcomed twins for the third time, all born on the exact same date.
Back in 2013, Carrie and Craig Kosinski were approached by a woman faced with the weighty decision of finding a loving home for the twins she was carrying. She confided: “I’m unable to provide the life these infants deserve”.
Sharing their journey with NBC’s “Today”, Carrie revealed that despite their initial aspirations for biological children, they embraced the prospect of adoption wholeheartedly.
In a testament to their unwavering faith, Carrie expressed: “We believed this was meant to be. We wholeheartedly embraced God’s plan, choosing adoption over our initial hopes for biological parenthood”.
Adalynn and Kenna made their entrance into the world via an emergency cesarean on February 28, 2014, the same date that marked the birthdays of their biological siblings, JJ and CeCe, born the year before.
Exactly a year after legally embracing Adalynn and Kenna, fate made another turn as the twins’ birth mother approached the Kosinskis once more, this time seeking adoption for JJ and CeCe. The couple embraced this opportunity without hesitation.
Surprising the Kosinskis yet again, September 2015 brought news of an unexpected pregnancy, twin babies. Carrie underwent an emergency cesarean on a date that stunned them, February 28, 2016. Though the due date was set for three months later, unforeseen circumstances led to an early water break, resulting in six weeks of hospital bed rest before the eventual surgery.
Despite the peculiar coincidence of all six children sharing the same birthdate, Carrie emphasized their individuality. Reflecting on this, she remarked: “Each child’s unique personality is a profound delight. Their differences lead us in six distinct directions, each revealing its own charm”.
Sharing their story, the Kosinski family aimed to broaden perspectives on adoption. Carrie elaborated: “Our belief in divine adoption into God’s family predisposed us to interpret this as a divine plan. These children are an immense blessing, equally and boundlessly loved. We seek no other existence”.
Their narrative swiftly circulated online, evoking a torrent of well-wishes and heartfelt sentiments. One reader wrote: “Heartiest congratulations to your remarkable family! May divine blessings light your path forever”. Another remarked: “Astounding, a profoundly moving tale that speaks volumes about destiny. Sharing a birthdate across different years, an authentically astonishing spectacle”.
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