Frank Fritz, nicknamed the ‘Bearded Charmer’, is an American antique collector and television personality, who rose to fame when he starred in the History Channel’s hit reality series, ‘American Pickers’.
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Early life and family
Frank Fritz was born on October 11, 1965 in Davenport, Iowa, USA to parents Bill and Susan Kay. His parents separated and his mother, who worked at a construction company, remarried in 1974 to tire salesman Richard “Dick” Zirbes, and they lived in Bettendorf, Iowa.
He has a sister now in Ohio. His mother died on December 17, 2013 at the age of 67.
Her biological father lives in Dallas and they became close after the TV show started.
Education background
He attended Sudlow Intermediate School in Davenport and enrolled at Bettendorf High School in 1983.
Career
Frank held a regular position as a fire and safety inspector for 25 years, covering areas from Des Moines to Cedar Falls, Iowa.
As a child, he enjoyed collecting beer cans, rocks, and other trinkets for his collection, and never outgrew that hobby. He only realized he could turn his hobby of picking up something old and unusual into something profitable, when he was able to sell a $15 fire station-related item for $475. In 2002, he quit his job and ventured into the buying and selling business, establishing his antique collecting store, Frank Fritz Finds, in Savannah, Illinois.
He calls himself a modern-day recycler.
He has traveled the country in search of vintage toys, cars, motorcycles and other items not only to sell in his shop, but also for his own personal collection – Frank has a man cave where he keep their favorite choices.
“The American Gatherers”
He was cast in the reality series “American Pickers” with Mike Wolfe, who is also the creator and one of the executive producers. Frank and Mike have known each other since eighth grade and share similar interests in collecting objects.
Mike had this concept for a show, and he filmed himself and Frank looking for antiques, buying and selling them, and then posting them online; he ran the show for five years before it was picked up by the History Channel.
In “American Pickers”, the two would travel across the United States exploring or scavenging homes, garages, sheds, barns, and any other place they could find items they could buy for their customers, for their collection and to resell.
Mike has an office, Antique Archeology in Le Claire, Iowa, run by Danielle Colby Cushman, who is also on the show.
The show’s first episode aired on January 18, 2010 on the History Channel, viewed by 3.1 million viewers, making it the network’s second highest-rated first episode after “Ice Road Truckers” in 2007 with 3 .4 million viewers for its first episode. Its episode “Laurel & Hardy” in September of the same year drew 5.3 million viewers.
After “American Pickers” became a hit, Frank guested on such shows as “Rachael Ray” (2010), “American Restoration” (2011), “Late Show with David Lettermen” (2011), and “Who Wants to be a Millionaire” (2013). He also had a short guest role in the animated sitcom “American Dad” in 2016.
Private life
Frank likes to keep his personal life private, but posts on his Facebook page have shown he is in a relationship with Diann whom he calls his better half and favorite breeding partner. Diann has a daughter, Paige, and a granddaughter, Eulalia. He posted a family photo in December 2016.
Interesting facts and rumors
- There was speculation about Frank’s noticeable weight loss in 2013 and he addressed the issue via his Facebook post, saying he lost weight due to Crohn’s disease and sometimes struggled. to handle it, but that he was fine. The production staff know this and have been very supportive and accommodating in providing him with what he needs.
- On July 30, 2017, he was arrested and charged with OWI (Operating While Intoxicated) for driving the wrong way and swerving on Interstate 80; he pleaded guilty and admitted to drinking a beer and taking the prescription drug, Xanax. He received a deferred judgment and was ordered by the court to participate in a substance abuse evaluation program and undergo any recommended treatment.
- A year after the show premiered, there were rumors that Frank and Mike were lovers as they seemed to spend 24/7 together traveling the country even though Mike was talking about having a girlfriend , or that Frank is gay because he seemed very private. The rumors were put to rest when Frank started posting about Dianne on his Facebook page in 2014.
- Frank was sued for $7,500 by collector and auctioneer Jerry Bruce in 2014, for reneging on a deal they made. Jerry contacted Frank and said he wanted to buy the polarimeter he had seen on the show, and alleged that Frank had offered to sell him the item for $300 plus shipping and he agreed , but he said that Frank never cashed the check and he never received the Item. Fritz was declared in default by the judge for failing to appear or respond to oral argument. Jerry was awarded $1,000 and $80 for legal costs.
- As a teenager, Frank worked at Coast to Coast Hardware and Quad-City Automatic Sprinkler, and saved up to buy a $4,100 Harley-Davidson motorcycle.
- Frank has been riding motorcycles for over four decades, and he served as president of ABATE (A Brotherhood Aimed Towards Education) of Iowa for nine years. He was one of the 2019 inductees into the Sturgis Museum Hall of Fame.
Appearance
He is 1.67 m (5 ft 4 in) tall and weighs 71 kg (156 lb). Although he has lost a lot of weight, he is still a little heavy. He has long sleeve tattoos on both his arms.
Net value
Frank’s net worth according to sources is estimated to be over $4 million as of June 2020.
