Mike Wolfe launches ‘Historical past’s Biggest Picks’ after Frank Fritz loss of life

[ad_1] NEW Now you can hearken to Fox Information articles!

As Mike Wolfe embarks on a brand new journey, he nonetheless appears to be like again — lacking the buddy and former co-star who shared the journey with him.

The "American Pickers" alum is hitting the street once more — this time as host of a brand new Historical past Channel sequence, "Historical past’s Biggest Picks." The present follows the treasure hunter as he digs into the tales behind a few of the nation’s most legendary antiques and collectibles.

Noticeably absent to longtime followers of "American Pickers" is Frank Fritz. The beloved picker died in 2024 from problems following a stroke. Wolfe, who labored alongside Fritz for greater than a decade, was by his bedside in hospice care.

'PAWN STARS' RICK HARRISON BACKS TRUMP ON AMERICA'S DEADLY FENTANYL EPIDEMIC, FIGHTING 'TERRORIST' DEALERS

Frank Fritz, the co-star of "American Pickers" (proper) and Mike Wolfe's (left) childhood buddy, died in 2024 at age 60. (Neilson Barnard/Getty Photographs)

Wolfe, 61, informed Fox Information Digital that there can be no "American Pickers" with out his beloved pal.

"Frank was there aspect by aspect with me after I was pitching the present for 5 years," he recalled.

After co-hosting "American Pickers" alongside Frank Fritz, Mike Wolfe is now sharing the story of unimaginable finds made by different "pickers" on "Historical past's Biggest Picks with Mike Wolfe." (Historical past Channel)

"He by no means doubted it, identical to I by no means doubted it. We had been so centered on what we wished to do, what we had dreamed of doing collectively. I filmed with Frank for somewhat over 10 years, and he’s been a part of my household for longer than that. We’ve been associates since eighth grade. He was the godfather to my nieces."

"To be fully trustworthy with you, I wouldn’t be speaking to you now if it wasn’t for Frank," Wolfe stated. "Frank and I constructed ‘American Pickers.’ We labored aspect by aspect for greater than 10 years to make that present."

Frank Fritz and Mike Wolfe from "American Pickers" attend the grand opening of the Historical past Pop Store on Dec. 6, 2010, in New York Metropolis. (Brian Killian/WireImage/Getty Photographs)

Fritz and Wolfe grew to become shut associates rising up in a small Iowa city, Folks journal reported. When Wolfe got here up with the thought of driving throughout the U.S. to search out collectibles to purchase and resell, Fritz rapidly signed on. Season 1 of "American Pickers" premiered in 2010, launching them to stardom.

Then got here the challenges that examined their longtime friendship.

On "Historical past's Biggest Picks," Mike Wolfe is sharing new tales about extraordinary artifacts and collectibles from American historical past. (Historical past Channel)

Behind the scenes, Fritz battled private struggles. In a 2021 interview with The Solar, he stated he sought remedy for alcohol abuse earlier than his departure from "American Pickers." The outlet reported he was fired.

Fritz additionally revealed that he and Wolfe weren't on talking phrases and that he typically felt overshadowed, calling himself second place to Wolfe’s No. 1 standing.

Mike Wolfe at ESX Leisure's "Day of Reckoning" premiere on March 24, 2025, in Los Angeles. (Gilbert Flores/Selection through Getty Photographs)

Wolfe informed Folks that Fritz injured his again throughout the pandemic and later underwent surgical procedure. He stated Fritz additionally battled an opioid habit after the process.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER

Longtime associates Frank Fritz and Mike Wolfe had a rift, however went on to make amends. (Charles Eshelman/FilmMagic/Getty Photographs)

"It’s unlucky that we had a lot unhealthy press," stated Wolfe. "Frank was at a degree in his life the place he was doing quite a lot of issues that he shouldn’t have been doing. And it doesn’t matter what I need for somebody. They must need it for themselves. And so, it was very unhappy."

Regardless of their bitter rift, the 2 finally reunited in an emotional assembly, the outlet reported. There have been even discussions about Fritz probably returning to "American Pickers." However in 2022, Fritz suffered a devastating stroke. His longtime buddy Annette Oberlander informed The Related Press he by no means absolutely recovered.

Mike Wolfe was by Frank Fritz's bedside when he handed away in 2024. (Charles Eshelman/FilmMagic/Getty Photographs)

"Sadly, he ended up in the direction of the tip of his life in a nursing house for a number of years," stated Wolfe. "I'd go see him on a regular basis, and we might speak. We liked one another. We’ve at all times liked one another."

On "American Pickers," Frank Fritz was typically drawn to vintage toys. (Charles Eshelman/FilmMagic/Getty Photographs)

Wolfe held Fritz’s hand as he took his closing breath, in accordance with Folks.

"There’s a spot we used to choose — simply acres of issues to dig by," Wolfe recalled. "Earlier than the present, earlier than the cameras, we had been precisely the identical. We simply had unimaginable chemistry collectively. I miss him a lot."

For greater than a decade, childhood associates Frank Fritz and Mike Wolfe looked for treasure throughout the nation for Historical past Channel's "American Pickers." (Charles Eshelman/FilmMagic/Getty Photographs)

"I really thought of Frank lots after I was filming this new present," Wolfe admitted. "I felt somewhat bit like a duck out of water right here. I’m talking on to the digital camera; I’m not simply riffing as we did. My craziness needed to be harnessed, however I realized lots making this sequence."

LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

Mike Wolfe informed Fox Information Digital he was initially nervous about launching a brand new sequence with out his buddy. (Historical past Channel)

Wolfe stated longtime followers who miss Fritz — as he does — will admire "Historical past’s Biggest Picks."

"It’s an extension of ‘American Pickers,’ however we’re not protecting one thing I picked," he stated. "It’s about gadgets others have discovered. I like being the one who now introduces the story. And within the first episode, we speak about a Strap Tank Harley. Come on, that’s what I’m all about."

From left: "Pawn Stars" character Rick Harrison, in addition to Frank Fritz and Mike Wolfe of "American Pickers" attend the grand opening of the Historical past Pop Store on Dec. 6, 2010, in New York Metropolis. (Charles Eshelman/FilmMagic/Getty Photographs)

On "American Pickers," audiences watched Wolfe and Fritz crisscross the nation’s backroads, squeezing into dusty barns and cluttered garages, the place they unearthed forgotten antiques buried deep.

"He was a fierce buddy," Frank Fritz's pal Annette Oberlander informed The Related Press. "He leaves behind an unimaginable quantity of friendships as a result of that’s what was most essential to him. A really great amount of friendships. Shut friendships." (Ray Tamarra/FilmMagic/Getty Photographs)

At one level, they discovered a dilapidated van in a small Massachusetts city — the identical one which Aerosmith toured in earlier than promoting out stadiums.

Wolfe stated he’s nonetheless haunted by one "decide" he left behind.

Frank Fritz (left) died in 2024 at a hospice facility in Davenport, Iowa. (D Dipasupil/FilmMagic/Getty Photographs)

"Man, I stepped over a lot unimaginable classic clothes," he stated with amusing. "Early denim, early workwear. There was a pair of Levi’s that not too long ago offered for about $240,000. I nonetheless take into consideration these sheds with pants hanging on nails or down within the cellar. I wasn’t schooled sufficient again then. I nonetheless daydream about going again to locations we picked 10 or 15 years in the past."

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Mike Wolfe encourages youthful followers to tackle "selecting" or "sourcing." (Historical past Channel)

Wolfe predicts that "something handmade and produced in restricted numbers" would be the subsequent massive factor to gather.

"A buddy of mine is a woodworker — he simply spent three months making a rocking chair from imported wooden," he defined.

"American Pickers" star Mike Wolfe arriving at his retailer Vintage Archaeology on its closing closing day on April 26, 2025, in Nashville. (AFF/Alamy Dwell Information)

"We’re such a throwaway, mass-produced society. So, do I feel Beanie Infants or Pokémon playing cards can be collectible in 100 years? In all probability not. But it surely’s nice for proper now. Have a look at the numbers these issues are pulling in. The cool factor is youthful individuals are shopping for, trying and trying to find them. And that’s what we want on this trade."

On "Historical past's Biggest Picks with Mike Wolfe," audiences will find out about iconic classic vehicles and bikes, uncommon collectibles and historic oddities. (Historical past Channel)

Wolfe is assured a brand new technology of pickers will maintain the custom alive and guarantee historical past isn’t forgotten.

"Once I say youthful individuals, I sound like I’m 300 years outdated," Wolfe joked. "However youthful pickers don’t name it ‘selecting.’ They name it ‘sourcing.’ They don’t say ‘vintage store’; they are saying ‘classic store.’

Mike Wolfe is hoping to encourage a brand new technology of "pickers" in America. (AFF/Alamy Dwell Information)

"However right here’s the deal. Irrespective of the way you bundle it, it’s the identical factor. We’re telling tales about our historical past, and there are nonetheless individuals who need to uncover these items that should be coveted. I don’t care what they name it — so long as they maintain it alive."