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.
Daughter Rips Wig Off A Girl With Cancer, Father Forces Her To Shave Her Hair As Punishment
Our goal as parents is to give our kids a sense of right and wrong. It can be difficult, and occasionally our efforts fall short of expectations. One such instance involved a father who discovered his daughter had been tormenting a classmate who was afflicted with cancer.
Her father became enraged when she removed the girl’s wig due to the increasing bullying. He selected an unusual punishment that has since generated a great deal of discussion and conflicting views on the internet.
“I have complete custody of my 16-year-old daughter, whose mother moved on with her new family,” the father said, referring to his former spouse. He clarified, “My daughter got into trouble recently for pulling off her wig at school and taunting a student who lost her hair due to cancer treatment.”
“It appears that they have a history of animosity, particularly because my daughter is seeing this girl’s ex-boyfriend,” he disclosed.
When word leaked out that his daughter was being used by her boyfriend, he was caught off guard. He was shocked to learn this, and that was the final straw that caused the unfortunate wig event.
“After finding out about her behavior, I offered her two options as a kind of punishment: either destroy all of her electronics or go to the salon and receive a bald haircut. The father revealed, “She went with the latter option.
Many expressed their worries, arguing that the punishment was excessively severe and that she might become the subject of bullying—a bizarre attempt to promote empathy. “Everyone believes I went too far. He remarked, “Her mother was incensed, thinking that this will only subject her to more bullying.”
There were differing opinions in the public. While some praised the father for trying to teach his daughter a valuable lesson in life by making her suffer the consequences of her behavior, others condemned him of being overly strict and referred to it as “child abuse.”
You must think about the significance of your activities and how they affect other people. One supporter said, “This situation might teach her about empathy and compassion in addition to the direct effects.”
What do you think about the father’s style of discipline then? Overly harsh or justifiable? This fascinating discussion is still going strong as more people voice their thoughts.
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