\n\t\t\tRelated: <\/span>\u2018American Pickers\u2019 Costars Frank Fritz and Mike Wolfe\u2019s Ups and Downs<\/span><\/a>
\n\t\t<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\t\t\tAmerican Pickers stars Frank Fritz and Mike Wolfe had a lot of ups and downs in their decades-long friendship. The pair began working together on hit series in 2009 and the show premiered on the History Channel the following year. The series followed Wolfe and Fritz\u2019s travels across the United States searching for antiques to [\u2026]\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Wolfe called the time off due to the pandemic and Fritz\u2019s surgery a \u201cperfect storm.\u201d Wolfe added, \u201cHe became addicted to opioids, and that\u2019s when everything changed.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\nThe duo\u2019s inner circle subsequently had an intervention. A month later, Wolfe said Fritz was positive about how he was doing \u2014 but despite Fritz\u2019s suggestion that things were OK, Wolfe said his struggle was noticeable and the network \u201cfinally made the decision\u201d to let him go.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\nThank You!<\/h3>\n
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Fritz left the series in 2021, and died in September of this year at age 60. His rep told TMZ in October that Fritz died from the effects of a stroke<\/span><\/a> and was in a hospice facility surrounded by friends at the time of his death. One day after Fritz\u2019s death, Wolfe shared the news in a tribute via Instagram.<\/span><\/p>\n\u201cI\u2019ve known Frank for more than half my life and what you\u2019ve seen on TV has always been what I have seen, a dreamer who was just as sensitive as he was funny,\u201d Wolfe wrote. \u201cThe same off camera as he was on, Frank had a way of reaching the hearts of so many by just being himself.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\nIf you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) <\/i>National Helpline<\/i><\/span><\/a> at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
The duo\u2019s inner circle subsequently had an intervention. A month later, Wolfe said Fritz was positive about how he was doing \u2014 but despite Fritz\u2019s suggestion that things were OK, Wolfe said his struggle was noticeable and the network \u201cfinally made the decision\u201d to let him go.<\/span><\/p>\n You have successfully subscribed.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n Fritz left the series in 2021, and died in September of this year at age 60. His rep told TMZ in October that Fritz died from the effects of a stroke<\/span><\/a> and was in a hospice facility surrounded by friends at the time of his death. One day after Fritz\u2019s death, Wolfe shared the news in a tribute via Instagram.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve known Frank for more than half my life and what you\u2019ve seen on TV has always been what I have seen, a dreamer who was just as sensitive as he was funny,\u201d Wolfe wrote. \u201cThe same off camera as he was on, Frank had a way of reaching the hearts of so many by just being himself.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) <\/i>National Helpline<\/i><\/span><\/a> at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\nThank You!<\/h3>\n