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Frank Fritz, a cherished member of The HISTORY Channel’s show "American Pickers," has passed away at the age of 60. Fritz succumbed to complications from a stroke while in hospice care, also having battled Crohn's disease, as confirmed by his longtime manager Bill Stankey.

Speaking to Fox News Digital, The History Channel and Cineflex Productions expressed their sorrow: "We are saddened to share that our friend and beloved member of The HISTORY Channel and 'American Pickers' family, Frank Fritz, has passed away on September 30, 2024. Frank filmed 'American Pickers' for over a decade. We will always remember 'the bearded charmer' and his never-ending search for vintage motorcycles and bikes. Our thoughts are with Frank's loved ones during this difficult time. He will be deeply missed."

Mike Wolfe, Fritz's former co-star on "American Pickers," also turned to social media to grieve the loss of his friend. Wolfe wrote on Instagram, "It's with a broken heart that I share with all of you that Frank passed away last night. 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. I love you buddy and will miss you so much I know you're in a better place."

Fritz departed from "American Pickers" in 2022. At the time, Wolfe expressed a desire for Fritz’s return, stating to The Sun, "We all do care about Frank, and we want him back on the show. I would love to talk with him again, we would absolutely love to, but he just can't get it right." Wolfe hinted at Fritz's personal battles, mentioning, "Frank is just going through a lot personally with addictions."

The duo had not appeared together on the show since 2020, when Fritz abruptly stopped participating. An unnamed friend disclosed that the two managed to reconcile last year, sharing an emotional reunion. The friend told the Quad-City Times, "Mike has been wanting to see Frank for quite some time. Frank just now felt up to seeing him. It was Frank's request to see Mike." The reunion was poignant, marked by shared memories and tears.

"They were both in tears. Both were crying," the friend recounted. "Mike brought up how nervous they both were to be going on David Letterman, which was one of their first big appearances. They talked about old times, how things got started and the impact they had on the world. There were tears flowing on both sides."

As fans and loved ones mourn the loss of Frank Fritz, his legacy on "American Pickers" and his contributions to the world of vintage collectors will continue to be remembered fondly.