They were once one of television’s most iconic duos.
Frank Fritz and Mike Wolfe began their careers as co-hosts on the History Channel series “American Pickers” in 2010.
The pair had a falling out after 10 years of working together and Wolfe, 60, continued hosting the show without Fritz, 58.
On October 1, Wolfe announced that Fritz died two years after suffering a stroke.
Despite their drama, Wolfe insinuated that the duo made amends before Fritz passed away.
“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 your in a better place,” Wolfe wrote in his Instagram post.
On “American Pickers,” Wolfe and Fritz traveled the US searching for rare artifacts and treasures to either sell in antique shops or put in their personal collections. Danielle Colby was also a co-host from 2010 to 2022.
Wolfe and Fritz’s dynamic was the highlight of the show — so it devastated viewers when the two stopped talking.
Here’s a timeline of Frank Fritz and Mike Wolfe’s feud.
March 2020: Frank’s final appearance on “American Pickers”
Rumblings of Fritz and Wolfe’s drama began in March 2020, when Fritz randomly stopped appearing on the show without explanation. He was nowhere to be found when the show returned for Season 22 in January 2021 after COVID-19 restrictions were lifted.
Colby, Wolfe’s brother Robbie, and antiques expert “Jersey Jon” Szalay started taking turns joining Wolfe on the road trips.
July 2021: Frank says he hasn’t spoken to Mike in 2 years
Fritz told The Sun that he stopped filming the show because he had back surgery. He was also dealing with his Crohn’s disease and alcohol abuse.
“I haven’t talked to Mike in two years,” Fritz said in the interview. “He knew my back was messed up, but he didn’t call me up and ask how I was doing. That’s just how it is.”
Fritz added, “The show is tilted towards him [Wolfe] 1,000 percent. I can’t even bend that far down to show you how much.”
“I think Mike wants to get his brother Robbie in there to replace me,” Fritz further claimed. “I don’t know why he’s behaving like that towards me. You couldn’t just stick two people in a van and get the chemistry you get from me and Mike. We’ve known each other for about 40 years. We can finish each other’s sentences. When everybody is getting along and there’s no drama, me and him are very good together.”
July 2021: Mike confirms Frank’s exit from the show
Wolfe shared a message with fans confirming Fritz was leaving the show for good.
“I have known Frank for as long as I can remember, he’s been like a brother to me. The journey that Frank, Dani and I started back in 2009, like all of life, has come with its highs and lows, blessings and challenges, but it has also been the most rewarding,” he wrote at the time.
Wolfe added, “I will miss Frank, just like all of you, and I pray for the very best and all good things for him on the next part of his journey.”
August 2021: Danielle addresses the drama
Colby spoke out about Fritz’s exit as she went on the road with Wolfe for the show.
“I’m truly saddened for the loss of Frank on the show,” she wrote on Instagram. “I’m incredibly sad for his struggles. I have personally watched everything over the last decade. I have many thoughts but won’t speak them as they are only my my thoughts, not gospel. I wish things could have been different but we must be accountable for our actions when we cause instability or pain and suffering to others.”
“Frank caused so much pain for himself that it has been hard to watch. I truly hope Frank receives all the help he needs to become well after years of being unwell. It is not my place to speak Ill of someone who needs help so I will keep my comments uplifting. I’m sending love to everyone,” Colby added.
August 2021: Frank calls out Mike
In response to Wolfe’s comments about Fritz leaving the show, Fritz told The Sun that Wolfe’s statement “was bulls–t.”
“Mike didn’t call me himself, never, like I said — we haven’t spoken for two years,” he alleged. “That is the 100% truth and I don’t like people that lie to people. I’m not a liar just for the fact that my brain can’t remember if I lied or not.”
“He knows I hurt my back, everyone in the whole network knew I hurt my back, but did one person — just one — call and see how I was? No,” Fritz continued. “So how does that make you feel? It makes you feel like you’re just a number.”
August 2021: Mike responds to Frank
Wolfe told 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.”
“Frank is just going through a lot personally with addictions. It’s unfortunate that he’s made decisions that have him the way he is,” he added.
July 2022: Mike reveals Frank had a stroke
Almost a year after their public drama, Wolfe announced that Fritz had a stroke.
“I have been very private in the past year in regards to Frank’s life and the journey he’s been on,” Wolfe wrote at the time. “There has been lots of opinions in regards to mine and Frank’s friendship and the show but now is not the time to set the record straight. Now is the time to pray for my friend.”
May 2023: Mike and Frank reportedly reunite
It was reported that Wolfe and Fritz met up over Memorial Day Weekend 2023, marking the first time they had allegedly seen each other in three years.
An alleged friend of the pair reportedly said that “they were both in tears” during the reunion. They also reportedly “talked about old times” and Wolfe expressed he wanted Fritz back on the show.
October 1, 2024: Mike announces Frank’s death
Wolfe and Fritz’s on-screen reunion never came to be. Wolfe announced his former co-host’s passing in an emotional Instagram post.
“I’ve know Frank for more then half my life and what you’ve seen on TV has always been what I have seen, a dreamer who was just as sensitive as he was funny,” Wolfe wrote. “The same off camera as he was on, Frank had a way of reaching the hearts of so many by just being himself.”
The statement continued, “Who would have ever dreamed we would share the cockpit of a white cargo van in front of millions of people interested in our adventures. Before the show we would take off together to places we never knew existed with no destination in mind and just the shared passion to discover something interesting and historic.”
Wolfe concluded his post, “I love you buddy and will miss you so much I know your in a better place.”
