American Pickers star Mike Wolfe reveals he has had difficulty dealing with the death of his longtime co-star and friend Frank Fritz. Their friendship goes back decades, facing many ups and downs, including one falling out that kept the two friends from speaking for two years. Despite everything the two lifelong pals underwent together, the two shared a loving and unbreakable bond.
One month after Frank Fritz’s sad passing, his best friend and former American Pickers co-star Mike Wolfe speaks out about the special bond they shared for so many decades. On October 1, Mike shared a heartfelt and deeply painful statement with his followers, a testament to the profound loss he was experiencing. He stated that Frank Fritz had passed away.
Wolfe described his friend as a “dreamer who was just as sensitive as he was funny.” During a recent interview with People, it was palpable that reliving his relationship with Frank was a bittersweet experience for Mike, a mix of fond memories and the pain of loss.
Detailing his last moments with Frank Fritz, Mike Wolfe shares that upon receiving a call informing him that Frank was not doing well, he dropped everything and rushed to be by his side.
“I got the call that he wasn’t doing well,” Wolfe stated. He reveals that he joined Frank’s mother and her best friend at Frank’s bedside. “I was holding his hand and rubbing his chest when he took his last breath,” Wolfe said.
Mike Wolfe And Frank Fritz Mend Fences Before American Picker’s Star’s Passing
American Picker‘s star, Mike Wolf, is heartbroken over his friend’s death, but he finds great comfort in knowing they were friends until the end. He admits their friendship will live on in his heart and memories for the rest of his life.
Looking back over the years, Mike describes his friendship as more of a brotherhood. Frank Fritz and Mike Wolfe met as young boys in middle school, and their friendship remained strong throughout the year.
Wolfe describes the two years of fallout with Fritz as difficult but necessary. Frank Fritz took a break from American Pickers to recover from back surgery. When the show returned in January 2021, Mike released a statement revealing that Frank would not return to the series.
“I have known Frank for as long as I can remember. He’s been like a brother to me,” he said in a statement at the time. “The journey that Frank, Dani, and I started back in 2009, like all of life, has come with its highs and lows, blessings and challenges, but it has also been the most rewarding.”
Frank and Mike’s relationship remained very tense. In 2022, Frank suffered a stroke and was hospitalized. Mike spoke via Instagram for the first time since the fallout. In a sentimental Instagram post, Wolfe wrote, “Frank, I pray more than anything that you make it through this okay. I love you, buddy.”
The American Picker’s star’s strong bond inevitably led to the two men’s reconciliation, which was very emotional for both men. Finally able to move on and put their past troubles behind them, the lifelong friends spent the remainder of their time privately enjoying their final years together, reminiscing and making the most of their time together.
