‘American Pickers’ Star Mike Wolfe Held Co-Star Frank Fritz’s Hand When He Died

Last month, Frank Fritz, an Iowa native and one of the hosts of the hit show American Pickers, died at the age of 60. 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 popular History Channel show since.

According to his death certificate, released over a week after his passing, Fritz died of "late sequela of cerebral infarction," meaning he suffered from a stroke. He also has aortic stenosis, a condition which makes blood flow through the body difficult, per People.

This week, American Pickers star and longtime friend of Fritz, Mike Wolfe, opened up to People regarding the final moments he shared with him before his death.

The two men had a publicized falling-out around the time Frank Fritz stepped away from the show in 2020. However, they were able to repair their friendship prior to Fritz's death. Wolfe stated that he rushed to be his longtime friend's side when he heard his time was limited:

I got the call that he wasn't doing well. I just feel blessed that I was able to get there [....] I was there for about an hour before he passed, and I was holding his hand and rubbing his chest when he took his last breath. I took my fingers and I closed his eyes. - Mike Wolfe, per People

Hearing that is enough to make your eyes moisten. Furthermore, Wolfe stated that he was joined by his mother and Fritz's late mother's friend, Annette. Before he passed, Wolfe wanted to make him as comfortable as possible with words of love and compassion:

I just told him that I wasn't mad at him and that I loved him and that I cared about him so much. And then when I could see that he was struggling, I just said, 'Just go find your mom. Go find her right now. Just go find her.' - Mike Wolfe, per People

As somebody who lost his mother just a few years ago, just reading that is enough to break me.

Wolfe and Fritz have been friends since they both attended middle school in Iowa. He told People how hard his friend worked, and that Fritz was one of the only people who supported his pal's idea for the show that became American Pickers. Apparently, he was one of the few who thought the show would be a success.

Following its premiere on History Channel in January 2010, not long after Pawn Stars began, American Pickers became one of the network's flagship shows. To date, there's been 26 seasons and over 300 episodes and counting.

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In 2021, Fritz revealed that he had battled alcoholism prior to leaving the show, and noted that he hadn't spoken to Mike in two years. He added that he believed the show had become "tilted towards [Wolfe]," causing some alienation.

Mike Wolfe added that the surrounding "noise" and rumors of the feud between the two reality TV stars made things increasingly difficult. Wolfe added that much of what was said and reported wasn't true, and he continued to pray that his friend would want the things that were best for him.

Read everything Mike Wolfe of American Pickers had to say about the final moments he shared with Frank Fritz on People's website. Read more about Fritz's death here.