Frank Fitz’s heartbreaking last moments with American Picker co-star Mike Wolfe revealed
Frank Fitz's heartbreaking last moments with American Picker co-star Mike Wolfe revealed
American Pickers star Mike Wolfe got candid about how he spent his last moments with his late best friend Frank Fitz, who recently died following stroke complications
American Pickers star Mike Wolfe recently opened up in an interview about his late best friend Frank Fitz, who died in September, two years after a stroke and hospitalization.
The television personality divulged that Frank was the popular one in school and owned a home before he was legally allowed to drink alcohol. He also was a fan-favorite for many American Pickers watchers, and a major reason why the History Channel show was such a success.
“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,” Mike told People of Frank’s character.
He added: “Actually, the crew and myself would always tell him that he should do stand-up because he was always very self-deprecating.”
Frank was also a true friend, who knew how to always “make people feel comfortable” around him.
“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,” Mike said as he explained that the two connected on similar life circumstances.
Mike and Frank’s respective fathers were not involved in their lives, and the struggles that they encountered as they were “moving through life” strengthened their bond. The two first met when they were in middle school.
“He was an extremely hard worker. He was like no one I’d ever met in my whole life,” Mike noted. Mike recalled to the news outlet that when he first got the idea to pitch American Pickers, now on-air for over 15 seasons, Frank was the only person who “didn’t make fun” of him.
Amid all of the haters and doubters, Frank had faith in Mike’s vision, and believed they were on the brink of brilliance. The year 2010 marked the show’s first season’s debut on the History Channel, changing their lives forever—for better and worse.
During an interview with The Sun in 2021, Frank admitted that before he left American Pickers he had looked for treatment for his alcohol abuse. Also, he claimed that he hadn’t talked to Mike in a couple of years as he thought he became “second place” while Mike was considered numero uno on the show.
“There was a lot of noise. That’s a nice way to put it,” Mike said concerning Frank’s interview with the publication. “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.”
The two eventually repaired their relationship, but unfortunately in 2022 Frank suffered a horrible stroke that led to him being hospitalized, thwarting Mike’s plan of having him return to American Pickers. Frank’s health never recovered, and on September 30, he died from stroke complications.
Mike, his mom, and Frank’s late mother’s best friend Annette were at his side when he drew his last breath.
“I got the call that he wasn’t doing well. I just feel blessed that I was able to get there,” Mike admitted. “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 divulged what happened in his final moments with Frank.
“I just told him that I wasn’t mad at him and that I loved him and that I cared about him so much,” he confessed. “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.'”
