Davenport Native, ‘American Pickers’ Star Frank Fritz Dead at 60

An Iowa native, who was the star of a long-running show on History Channel, has passed away after lengthy health complications.

Frank Fritz, one of the hosts of the hit show American Pickers, has died at the age of 60, per his co-host Mike Wolfe. In 2022, Fritz suffered a stroke that left him so impaired that he was placed under temporary guardianship, with a longtime friend of his handling his finances and other necessities such as food and medical care. He hadn't returned to the show since.

Wolf posted a somber yet inspiring eulogy to his late friend on his Instagram page:

It’s with a broken heart that I share with all of you that Frank passed away last night.

I’ve know Frank for more then 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. The same off camera as he was on, Frank had a way of reaching the hearts of so many by just being himself. - Mike Wolfe, per his Instagram post

Fritz was born in Davenport, and resided in Le Claire, IA. Per WGN, a Facebook group dedicating to following Fritz's recovery said he was hospitalized earlier this year with complications from both the stroke and Crohn's disease. Fritz passed away Monday evening, surrounded by friends, Wolfe included. A cause of death was not immediately available.

The last couple years have been turbulent for both Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz, the two stars of American Pickers, which has been running for 13 years. In 2021, History Channel confirmed Fritz would be leaving the show. Around the same time is when it was revealed that Fritz had suffered a debilitating stroke.

Last summer, over the long Memorial Day weekend, both Wolfe and Fritz reunited for the first time in three years, as reported by The Des Moines Register.

American Pickers revolved around the jovial pair traveling all across the country in search of unique items to sell at their Antique Archaeology stores in both Le Claire and Nashville.

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Recent reports suggested that Wolfe was "making efforts" to bring Fritz back on the show in some capacity.

This is bitterly saddening news for fans of American Pickers, and fans of two Iowa boys in Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz in general. For more details on Frank Fritz's passing, visit WGN's website.