Mike Wolfe says he held Frank Fritz's hand as 'American Pickers' star took his last breath: 'I loved him'

LECLAIRE, IOWA: 'American Pickers' star Mike Wolfe recently opened up about his late friend Frank Fritz's profound impact on his life and career.

On September 30, Wolfe held Fritz’s hand, expressing his love and gratitude for their friendship before his former co-star took his last breath. “I was holding his hand and rubbing his chest when he took his last breath,” Wolfe said, adding that he urged his friend to “go find” his late mother for comfort, People reported.

Mike Wolfe reflects on final moments with 'American Pickers' co-star Frank Fritz

Recalling memories from their childhood in Iowa, Wolfe shared that Fritz had a unique talent for putting people at ease. "He was a lot like he was on camera. He was very sensitive. He was very caring. He was extremely funny. His sense of comedic timing was unbelievable," Wolfe said with a laugh.

"Actually, the crew and myself would always tell him that he should do stand-up because he was always very self-deprecating," he continued. "He was one of those guys, no matter who we talked to, he could always make people feel comfortable and let them know that they're being heard."

Wolfe also reflected on their early bond, forged over shared challenges as both grew up without fathers. He added that the problems they encountered while navigating through life drew them closer together.

Wolfe shares, "He was an extremely hard worker. He was like no one I'd ever met in my whole life."

Fritz’s authenticity made him a fan favorite on 'American Pickers', and Wolfe credits him with being the only person who believed in his vision for the show before it premiered in 2010.

Mike Wolfe opens up about Frank Fritz's challenges

Mike Wolfe addressed the fallout with his former co-host Frank Fritz, who publicly revealed his struggles with alcohol abuse in a 2021 interview. Fritz's departure from the show was preceded by a difficult period where he felt overshadowed by Wolfe, describing himself as “second place” in the eyes of fans and the production team.

“There was a lot of noise. That’s a nice way to put it,” Wolfe said, acknowledging the impact of Fritz’s statements while expressing concern for his friend’s well-being.

"This is so hard for me to talk about, because there were a lot of things that were said that weren't true, and I always continued to pray for him. But unfortunately, the things that we want for someone sometimes (it's) just not enough, and they have to want these things for themselves."

Wolfe shared that both men were navigating personal challenges during the pandemic, including relationship difficulties. When Fritz underwent back surgery, it became a turning point in his life, leading to an addiction to opioids.

Wolfe described this time as a “perfect storm” for his friend, marking a significant change in their friendship dynamic.

“I don’t have the right to tell his story only he does but I do have, I feel, the right to tell the personal story of how myself and so many people struggled to navigate what was going on in his life."

Wolfe recounted how he organized an intervention with Fritz's family and loved ones, hoping to guide him toward recovery amid the turmoil.

Wolfe was aware that his friend continued to grapple with addiction and "fought really hard to get him into rehab," underscoring that he "never, ever gave up" on Fritz.

Mike Wolfe reflects on Frank Fritz's exit from the show

Wolfe revealed the heartbreaking reality behind the production decisions that led to Frank Fritz’s exit from the show. After Fritz was unable to provide negative drug tests, the network ultimately decided to move forward without him.

“The network just finally made the decision,” Wolfe explained. “They’re just like, ‘Listen, we have to move on. We have to keep going with this.’”

"I was just kind of left to fend for myself in a lot of ways. I could finish his sentences. He could finish my sentences," he said. "I'm a left-handed person, but with him, I felt ambidextrous."

Despite the rift caused by Fritz’s struggles, Wolfe recognized that their bond had never truly disconnected. “I stepped away for a little because I was watching what he was doing, but I still fought for him to go to rehab,” he stated.

“I just wish that he didn't have to deal with all of those things in the shadows,” Wolfe lamented. "We can tell him how much we love him, and that we support him and we're encouraging him, (but) he could just never get it back together."

Mike Wolfe hopes people will remember his late best friend as a 'beautiful person'

After a tumultuous period marked by addiction struggles, Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz shared a poignant reunion filled with hugs, tears, and laughter.

Reflecting on their emotional reconnection, Wolfe noted, “It was beautiful. He was struggling with addiction. I know how judgmental the public can be. And so that's why when we did end up speaking again, it was so easy for me to forgive him because I knew it wasn't him talking. It was his addiction talking," 

Although there were hopes for Fritz to rejoin 'American Pickers', tragedy struck when he suffered a severe stroke in 2022. Wolfe realized that Fritz's return was no longer a possibility, and sadly, on September 30, he died at the age of 60 from complications related to the stroke.

Wolfe was by Fritz's side, alongside his mother and a close family friend. “I got the call that he wasn't doing well. I just feel blessed that I was able to get there,” Wolfe recounted, sharing that he held Fritz's hand and closed his eyes as he took his last breath.

"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.'"

Regarding how he hopes people will remember his late best friend, Wolfe wishes for the focus to be on the joy Fritz brought to fans.

"He was a beautiful, beautiful person that, to be honest with you, who knows what our lives would've been like if there was never a show," said Wolfe. "I just want people to know who he was."