“American Pickers” star Mike Wolfe poignantly shared that he held Frank Fritz’s hand as his late co-star took his last breath.
As childhood companions, both men co-hosted the beloved History Channel series for a decade, weaving their lives together over more than 40 years.
Despite experiencing a significant falling-out that led to Fritz’s departure during the show’s 21st season in 2020, the duo was able to reconcile their friendship before Fritz’s death from stroke complications at the age of 60 in September.
In a heartfelt conversation with People magazine, Wolfe recounted the urgency that drove him to Fritz’s side in his final moments.
“I got the call that he wasn’t doing well. I just feel blessed that I was able to get there,” Wolfe expressed.
He continued, “I was there for about an hour before he passed, holding his hand and rubbing his chest. I took my fingers and closed his eyes.”
Wolfe revealed emotional moments shared at his friend’s bedside, where he was joined by Fritz’s mother and the best friend of his late mom, Annette. The poignant final words exchanged were a testament to their lifelong bond.
“I told him I wasn’t mad at him, and that I loved him. I wanted him to know how much I cared,” Wolfe reflected. “When I saw he was struggling, I just said, ‘Go find your mom. Go find her right now.’”
The pair’s deep-rooted friendship began in middle school and blossomed throughout their lives. Wolfe remembered Fritz as an incredibly hard worker — a person who inspired him even during the inception of “American Pickers.”
“He was someone who stood by me when I first proposed the show. Without his belief in me, I’m not sure it would’ve happened,” Wolfe recalled, highlighting a bond built on shared dreams.
“American Pickers” debuted in January 2010, capturing the hearts of many, including local business owners whose collectibles and antiques graced the show.
Wolfe fondly remembered Fritz’s on-screen personality, noting how his sensitivity and humor resonated off the camera too. “He had this incredible knack for making everyone feel at ease, like they mattered,” Wolfe shared.
Yet, beneath the laughter and camaraderie lay the tension of their split. Rumors about a feud swirled when Fritz abruptly halted his appearances. Their differences became public in interviews, with both expressing feelings of betrayal and hurt.
Fritz opened up about his struggle with alcoholism during a 2021 interview, revealing that he had not spoken to Wolfe for two years. “He knew my back was messed up, but he never reached out,” Fritz lamented, stirring the complexities of their relationship.
Meanwhile, Wolfe explained how he remained hopeful throughout Fritz’s struggles with addiction, subtly illustrating the layers of a friendship fraught with pain yet sprinkled with love.
In a reflective moment, Wolfe considered the weight of these experiences. “Watching someone you love lose their way is devastating,” he admitted. “But I never stopped trying to help him, even when it seemed hopeless.”
When the pandemic struck, the situation worsened. Following back surgery, Fritz faced a battle that led to opioid addiction, altering both of their trajectories. Despite Wolfe’s intervention efforts, the conflict deepened, and decision-makers opted to continue “American Pickers” without Fritz.
“I felt like ‘the last man standing.’ Completing sentences for each other felt natural, but without him, it was empty,” Wolfe expressed with a sense of longing.
With heartfelt sincerity, Wolfe compared their rift to losing a brother. “Hearing him say things about me cut deep,” he admitted, musing how life’s shadows had clouded their bond.
Despite the obstacles they faced, Wolfe felt a persistent connection. “We never truly disconnected. I watched him struggle but always believed in him,” he said, softening the edges of their complicated history.
The eventual reconciliation, reinforced by deep understanding and empathy, allowed both to face the reality of Fritz’s struggles together. “I knew the addiction was speaking, not him,” Wolfe remarked, illustrating the grace of forgiveness.
Even as health issues loomed, they often explored the possibility of Fritz’s return to the show, their friendship enduring as a powerful testament to love and loyalty.
Looking back, Wolfe’s thoughts lingered on how he wanted the world to remember Fritz. “He was a genuinely beautiful person,” he said, contending that their lives would have looked vastly different without “American Pickers.”
Ultimately, Wolfe hopes that in every heartfelt moment shared, people recognize the complexity and depth of his bond with Frank Fritz — one of laughter, struggle, and an unwavering spirit of friendship.
