'American Pickers' Star Danielle Speaks Out On Frank's Death—'Huge Loss'
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
American Pickers star Danielle Colby has spoken out about late co-star Frank Fritz's death in a new interview with Newsweek.
The Context
Fritz died on September 30 at the age of 60. American Pickers is a reality television show that skyrocketed in popularity following its premiere in January 2010. The series was first led by Mike Wolfe and Fritz as they scoured the United States for vintage collectables that could be resold for a profit. Colby, meanwhile, worked as Wolfe's office manager for his antique store, Antique Archaeology.
Today, the show is in its 27th season and has continued with Wolfe's brother, Rob Wolfe.
(L) Danielle Colby poses for a photo wearing glasses, a brown belt and blue jeans. (R) Late "American Pickers" star Frank Fritz attends the grand opening of the History Pop Shop on December 6, 2010...
(L) Danielle Colby poses for a photo wearing glasses, a brown belt and blue jeans. (R) Late "American Pickers" star Frank Fritz attends the grand opening of the History Pop Shop on December 6, 2010 in New York City. More
The HISTORY Channel/American Pickers; Charles Eshelman/FilmMagic
What To Know
Colby—who prefers "they/them" pronouns—opened up about Fritz as the one-year anniversary of his death approaches.
"Boy, we miss Frank. We miss his laughter. We miss his sense of humor," Colby told Newsweek. "I think his sense of humor was the most important piece of his personality that really kept us together and kept things on the same thread. And it was, man, that sense of humor is sharp. A very, very witty man."
"I miss those rare moments where he was emotionally vulnerable and would give me a hug or, you know, call up and ask questions, or ask for advice," they continued. "I miss those moments when he was able to kind of like reach out very personally."
"We love Frank and we miss him. Huge loss. Huge loss for the community here in the Quad Cities. Huge loss the world. Huge, huge loss for us."
Colby, 49, opened their new burlesque museum on June 21 and shared how Wolfe, 61, supported them ahead of its launch.
"He is one of my very best friends. I don't think that's something that could ever change," Colby told Newsweek of their friendship with Wolfe, which began prior to American Pickers fame. "Our families are way too intertwined. I mean, at this point, there's no divorcing from one another for sure."
"What bonded Mike and I from the beginning is we both are avid collectors of what we love. I love burlesque history, and so that's what I collect, but Mike also loves burlesque history, and so he collects a little bit of it too," they said, noting that Wolfe donated items to the museum and has "helped us in accessing a lot of items that we otherwise maybe wouldn't have been able to access so easily."
"He's like a big brother, so I'm really lucky that we were great friends before the show started," they said.
What People Are Saying
Following Fritz's death, Wolfe penned a lengthy message via Instagram: "It's with a broken heart that I share with all of you that Frank passed away last night."
"I've [known] 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. The same off camera as he was on, Frank had a way of reaching the hearts of so many by just being himself."
"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."
"We've been on countless trips and shared so many miles and 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."
What Happens Next
A new season of American Pickers began on July 2, with a total of eight episodes airing weekly at 8 p.m. ET on the History Channel.
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