Mike Wolfe launches ‘History’s Greatest Picks’ after Frank Fritz death

As Mike Wolfe embarks on a new adventure, he still looks back — missing the friend and former star with whom he shared the journey.

The “American Pickers” cast is back on the road again — this time as host of a new History Channel series called “History’s Greatest Pickers.” The show follows a treasure hunter as he investigates the stories behind some of the country’s legendary antiques and collectibles.

Obviously, Frank Fritz is noticeably absent from long-time “American Pickers” fans. The beloved Picker died in 2024 due to complications from a stroke. Wolf, who has worked alongside Fritz for more than a decade, was at his bedside in hospice care.

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Frank Fritz, co-star of “American Pickers” (right) and childhood friend of Mike Wolfe (left), died in 2024 at the age of 60. (Nelson Barnard/Getty Images)

There won’t be anything, Wolff, 61, told Fox News Digital “American Pickers” Without his beloved friend

“Frank was there alongside me when I was promoting the show for five years,” he recalls.

After co-hosting “American Pickers” alongside Frank Fritz, Mike Wolfe now shares the story of the amazing discoveries made by other “pickers” in “Best Picks in History with Mike Wolfe.” (History Channel)

“He never doubted it, just like I never doubted it. We were so focused on what we wanted to do, what we dreamed of doing together. I’ve shot with Frank for a little over 10 years, and he’s been part of my family for even longer than that. We’ve been friends since the eighth grade. He was godfather to my nieces.”

“To be quite honest with you, I wouldn’t be talking to you now if it weren’t for Frank,” Wolf said. “Frank and I built American Pickers.” “We have worked side by side for over 10 years to make this show.”

Frank Fritz and Mike Wolfe of “American Pickers” attend the grand opening of the History Pop Shop on December 6, 2010 in New York City. (Brian Killian/WireImage/Getty Images)

Fritz and Wolff became close friends while growing up in a small town in Iowa. People magazine I mentioned. When Wolf came up with the idea of ​​driving across the United States to find collectibles to buy and resell, Fritz quickly agreed. The first season of “American Pickers” premiered in 2010, launching them into stardom.

Then came the challenges that tested their long friendship.

In “The Greatest Shots in History,” Mike Wolfe shares new stories about extraordinary artifacts and collectibles from American history. (History Channel)

Behind the scenes, Fritz had personal struggles. In a 2021 interview with The sunHe said he sought treatment for alcohol abuse before leaving “American Pickers.” He was fired, the outlet reported.

Fritz also revealed that he and Wolff were not on speaking terms and that he sometimes felt shaded, describing himself as second best to Wolff’s No. 1 status.

Mike Wolfe at the premiere of “Day of Reckoning” on ESX Entertainment on March 24, 2025 in Los Angeles. (Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images)

Wolff told People that Fritz injured his back during the pandemic and later underwent surgery. Fritz also battled opioid addiction after the operation, he said.

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Old friends Frank Fritz and Mike Wolfe had a falling out, but they continued to patch things up. (Charles Eshelman/FilmMagic/Getty Images)

“It’s unfortunate that we get a lot of bad press,” Wolf said. “Frank was at a point in his life where he was doing a lot of things he shouldn’t have done. It doesn’t matter what I want for someone. They have to want it for themselves. And so, it was very sad.”

in spite of Bitter crackThe two eventually had an emotional meeting, the outlet reported. There were even discussions about Fritz possibly returning to “American Pickers.” But in 2022, Fritz suffered a devastating stroke. His longtime friend Annette Oberlander told The Associated Press that he has not fully recovered.

Mike Wolfe was at Frank Fritz’s bedside when he died in 2024. (Charles Eshelman/FilmMagic/Getty Images)

“Unfortunately, he ended up at the end of his life in a nursing home for a few years,” Wolfe said. “I used to go see him all the time, and we’d talk. We liked each other. We always liked each other.”

On American Pickers, Frank Fritz was often drawn to antique toys. (Charles Eshelman/FilmMagic/Getty Images)

Wolf held Fritz’s hand as he took his last breaths, according to People magazine.

“There’s a place we used to pick — just acres of stuff to dig through,” Wolfe recalls. “Before the show, in front of the cameras, we were exactly the same. We had amazing chemistry together. I miss him so much.”

For more than a decade, childhood friends Frank Fritz and Mike Wolfe have been searching for treasure across the country for the History Channel’s “American Pickers.” (Charles Eshelman/FilmMagic/Getty Images)

“I thought about Frank a lot when I was filming this new show,” Wolf admitted. “I felt like a duck out of water here. I’m talking directly to the camera, not just playing like we did. My craziness had to be exploited, but I learned a lot while making this series.”

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Mike Wolfe told Fox News Digital that he was initially nervous about launching a new series without his friend. (History Channel)

Longtime fans who miss Fritz — as he does — will appreciate “the greatest shots in history,” Wolf said.

“It’s an extension of American Pickers, but we’re not covering something I chose,” he said. “It’s about items that other people have found. I’d love to be the one presenting the story now. And in the first episode, we’re talking about the Strap Tank Harley. Come on, that’s what I’m all about.”

From left: “Pawn Stars” character Rick Harrison, along with Frank Fritz and Mike Wolfe of “American Pickers” attend the grand opening of the History Pop Shop on December 6, 2010, in New York City. (Charles Eshelman/FilmMagic/Getty Images)

On American Pickers, viewers watched Wolf and Fritz traverse the country’s back roads, crowd into dusty barns and crowded garages, where they discovered forgotten antiques buried deep within.

“He was a fierce friend,” Annette Oberlander, a friend of Frank Fritz, told The Associated Press. “He left behind an incredible amount of friendships because that’s what was most important to him. A very large amount of friendships. Close friendships.” (Ray Tamara/FilmMagic/Getty Images)

At some point, they found a dilapidated truck In a small town in Massachusetts – The same venue Aerosmith toured before selling out stadiums.

Wolf said he is still haunted by the one “choice” he left behind.

Frank Fritz (left) died in 2024 at a nursing facility in Davenport, Iowa. (D Depasopil/FilmMagic/Getty Images)

“Man, I’ve gone through a lot of cool old clothes,” he said with a laugh. “Early denim, early workwear. There was a pair of Levi’s that recently sold for about $240,000. I still think of those sheds with pants hanging on nails or in the basement. I wasn’t educated enough then. I still dream of going back to the places we chose 10 or 15 years ago.”

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Mike Wolfe encourages young fans to do “picking” or “sourcing”. (History Channel)

Wolf predicts that “anything that is handmade and produced in limited numbers” will be the next big thing to collect.

“A friend of mine is a woodworker, and he just spent three months making a rocking chair out of imported wood,” he explained.

“American Pickers” star Mike Wolfe arrives at his Antique Archeology store on its final closing day on April 26, 2025, in Nashville. (AFF/Alamy Live News)

“We are a neglected, mass-produced society. I think so Beanie Babies or Pokémon cards Will it be collectible in a hundred years? Maybe not. But it’s great for now. Look at the numbers these things attract. The great thing is that young people are buying them, searching for them and chasing them. This is what we need in this industry.”

In “The Greatest Shots in History with Mike Wolfe,” audiences will learn about vintage cars, iconic motorcycles, rare collectibles and historical oddities. (History Channel)

Wolfe is confident that a new generation of pickers will keep the tradition alive and ensure history is not forgotten.

“When I say young, I sound like I’m 300 years old,” Wolf joked. “But younger collectors don’t call it ‘picking.’ They call it ‘sourcing.’ They don’t say ‘antique shop;’ they say ‘vintage shop.’

Mike Wolfe hopes to inspire a new generation of “collectors” in America. (AFF/Alamy Live News)

“But that’s the deal. No matter how you package it, it’s the same thing. We tell stories about our history, and there are still people who want to discover these things that are worthy of being desired. I don’t care what they call them — as long as they keep them alive.”

“The Greatest Shots of History with Mike Wolfe” airs Sundays at 9 p.m. The Associated Press contributed to this report.