• Frank Fritz is an American antique collector and TV personality from Davenport, Iowa.
• He is well-known for starring in History Channel's "American Pickers".
• He attended Sudlow Intermediate School and Bettendorf High School.
• He was the president of ABATE of Iowa for nine years.
• His net worth is estimated to be over $4 million.
Date Of Birth | October 11, 1965 |
Frank Fritz, dubbed as the “Bearded Charmer,” is an American antique collector and TV personality, who became famous when he starred in History Channel’s hit reality series, “American Pickers.”
Frank Fritz was born on 11 October 1965, in Davenport, Iowa USA, to parents Bill and Susan Kay. His parents separated, and his mother, who worked in 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 passed away on 17 December 2013 at the age of 67.
His biological father lives in Dallas, and they became closer after the TV show started.
He attended Sudlow Intermediate School in Davenport, and matriculated from Bettendorf High School in 1983.
Frank had a regular job as a fire and safety inspector for 25 years, covering areas from Des Moines to Cedar Falls in Iowa.
When he was a child, he liked picking-up beer cans, rocks, and other trinkets for his collection, and never outgrew this hobby. He only realized that he could turn his hobby of picking up anything old and unusual to something profitable, when he was able to sell a $15 firehouse-related item for $475. In 2002, he quit his job and ventured into the buy and sell business, setting-up his antique collection shop, Frank Fritz Finds, in Savannah, Illinois.
He calls himself a modern day recycler.
He travelled across the country looking for vintage toys, cars, motorcycles, and other stuff not just to sell them in his shop, but also for his own personal collection – Frank has a man cave where he keeps his favorite picks.
He was cast in the reality TV 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 picking-up items.
Mike had this concept for a show, and he filmed himself and Frank looking for antiques, buying and selling them, then posted them online; he pitched the show for five years before it was picked up by History Channel.
In “American Pickers,” the two would travel across the US to explore or search other people’s homes, garages, sheds, barnss, and any other place where they might find items that they could buy for their clients, for their collection, and for reselling.
Mike has an office, Antique Archeology in Le Claire, Iowa, being run by Danielle Colby Cushman, who is also in the show.
The show’s first episode was aired on 18 January 2010 on History Channel, viewed by 3.1 million viewers, which made it the second highest-rated debut for the network after “Ice Road Truckers” in 2007 with 3.4 million viewers for its premiere episode. Its “Laurel & Hardy” episode in September of that year garnered 5.3 million viewers.
After “American Pickers” became a hit, Frank was invited on shows including “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-starring role in the animated sitcom, “American Dad,” in 2016.
Frank likes to keep his personal life private, but posts on his Facebook page showed that he is in a relationship with Diann whom he called his better half and favorite picking partner. Diann has a daughter, Paige, and granddaughter, Eulalia. He posted a family photo back in December 2016.
He is 5ft 4ins (1.67m) tall and weighs 156lbs (71kgs). Although he lost a lot of weight, he is still a bit on the heavy side. He is sporting full sleeve tattoos on both his arms.
Frank’s net worth according to sources is estimated at over $4 million as of June 2020.
Full Name | Frank Fritz |
Date Of Birth | October 11, 1965 |
Height | 1.65 m |
Profession | TV Personality, Businessperson |
Nationality | American |
Awards | Telly Award for TV Programs, Segments, or Promotional Pieces Film/Video - Information |
TV Shows | American Pickers |
Title | Year | Status | Character |
---|---|---|---|
American Dad! | 2017 | TV Series |
Title | Year | Status | Character |
---|---|---|---|
American Pickers: Best Of | 2017 | TV Series | Himself |
American Pickers | 2010-2017 | TV Series documentary | Himself |
Today | 2015 | TV Series | Himself |
Sidewalks Entertainment | 2014 | TV Series | Guest / Himself |
Who Wants to Be a Millionaire | 2013 | TV Series | Himself - Celebrity Contestant |
Pawn Stars | 2012 | TV Series | Himself |
Late Show with David Letterman | 2011 | TV Series | Himself |
American Restoration | 2011 | TV Series | Himself |
Cincy Entertainment | 2011 | TV Series | Himself - American Pickers |
Rachael Ray | 2010 | TV Series | Himself |
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