'American Pickers' star Frank Fritz, Mike Wolff buried the hatchet before host died after years of drama

For several years, “American Pickers” co-hosts Frank Fritz and Mike Wolff were embroiled in a very public feud. However, despite the ongoing drama, the two friends, who starred together for 10 years in the History Channel series and have known each other for more than 40 years, patched up their relationship before Fritz died.

On Tuesday, Wolff shared the news of Fritz's death on Instagram, noting that she was “blessed” to have been “by his side on one last journey home.”

“It is with a broken heart that I share with all of you that Frank passed away last night,” Wolfe wrote. “I've known Frank for more than half of my life and I've always seen what you see on TV, a visionary who was as sensitive as he was funny. Just as he was off camera, Frank had a way of reaching many hearts just by being himself.”

'American Pickers' star Frank Fritz has died at the age of 60

“Who would have ever dreamed that we would be sharing the cockpit of a white cargo van in front of millions of people interested in our adventures,” he continued. “Before the show we would travel together to places we never knew existed with no destination in mind and a shared passion to discover something interesting and historic.”

“We've been on countless trips and shared many miles and I'm blessed to have been by his side as he made his final journey home,” she concluded. “Friend I love you and will miss you so much I know you are in a good place.”

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According to TMZ, Fritz was surrounded by friends, including Wolff, at the time of his death.

The pair have not been seen together in years since Fritz suddenly stopped appearing on “American Pickers” in 2020. However, the duo managed to bury the hatchet last year, according to a friend who spoke on condition of anonymity.

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“Mike had been wanting to see Frank for quite some time,” the friend told the Quad-City Times. “Frank seems to have seen him now. Frank asked to see Mike.”

“They were both in tears. Both were crying,” she said. “Mike brought up how nervous they both were to go with David Letterman, which was one of their first big appearances. … They talked about old times, how things started and the impact they had on the world. There were tears flowing. both sides.”

Fritz stopped appearing in the series around 2020. (Getty Images)

“They weren't fighting,” the friend added. “They need separation to appreciate each other.”

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Representatives for Fritz and Wolfe did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.

The rumored conflict returned in 2020 when the very charismatic Fritz suddenly stopped appearing in the beloved series.

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“I haven't spoken to Mike in two years,” Fritz told The Sun in 2021. “He knew my back was messed up, but he didn't call me and ask how I was. That's just the way it is.”

The pair have been very open about their public rift. (Getty Images)

“The show is leaning towards him [Wolfe] 1,000%. I can't even bend over backwards to show you how much. … I think Mike wants his brother Robbie to replace me. I don't know why he is treating me like this. You couldn't just stick two people in a van and get the chemistry you got from me and Mike. We have known each other for almost 40 years. We can finish each other's sentences. When everyone's alone together and there's no drama, he and I are great together.”

A year later, Wolfe addressed the claims on Instagram.

“For as long as I can remember I have known Frank, he has been like a brother to me,” she wrote. “Frank, Dani that journey [Colby] And I started again in 2009, like all life, with its highs and lows, blessings and challenges, but also the most rewarding.”

“I will miss Frank, just like all of you, and I will pray for the very best and all good things for him in the next part of his journey,” he concluded.

Daniel Colby, who often appeared on the series with the pair, gave his two cents on Fritz's departure at the time.

Fritz died on September 30 at the age of 60. (Getty Images)

“I'm really sorry to lose Frank on the show,” she wrote on Instagram. “I'm incredibly sorry for her struggles. I've seen everything personally over the past decade. I have so many thoughts but can't say them because they're just my thoughts, not the gospel. I wish things could have been different but when we see others in turmoil or pain And when we cause suffering, we must be held accountable for our actions.”

“Frank put himself through so much trouble it was hard to watch. I really hope Frank gets all the help he needs to get well after being sick. It's not my place to talk bad about someone who needs help. I'll keep my comments up.” Sending love to everyone,” Colby added.

That same year, Wolfe told The Sun, “We all care about Frank, and we'd love to have him back on the show. I'd love to talk to him again, we'd absolutely love to, but he just can't.”

Wolf said he was “blessed” to be by his friend's side. (Getty Images)

“Frank is personally going through a lot with addiction,” she added. “It's unfortunate that he made the decisions that kept him the way he was.”

The rift appeared to be on hiatus for a full year before Wolff announced that Fritz had suffered a stroke in 2022.

“I have been very private over the past year about Frank's life and the journey he is on,” Wolff wrote at the time. “Me and Frank have many opinions about the friendship and the show but now is not the time to set the record straight. Now is the time to pray for my friend.”

“Frank suffered a stroke and is in the hospital. Please keep him in your hearts and thoughts, she added. “Frank I pray more than anything that you can make it through this. I love you buddy.”

At their reunion in 2023, a friend told the Quad-City Times that Wolf expressed his gratitude to Fritz.

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“He said, 'Nobody can replace you, Frank.' He said it was Frank's 'unique fun personality' that made them fit so well together as a team,” the friend said.