Mike Wolfe Puts American Pickers on Pause to Chase Hollywood Dreams

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Reality star Mike Wolfe is tossing American Pickers on the scrap heap for a temporary hiatus amid his acting debut in Day of Reckoning — but critics are accusing him of chasing Hollywood fame and not fulfilling his promise to carry on the legacy of his late TV cohost Frank Fritz.

According to an insider, American Pickers is taking its first break in 15 years as the antiques collector makes a bid for movie stardom while “the door is open.”

The History Channel staple, 60, was cast in the recently released thriller by his director pal Shaun Silva, who believed Wolfe’s passion for motorcycles made him perfect for the bike-heavy flick, which also stars Titanic’s Billy Zane, martial artist Scott Adkins and soap opera star Zach Roerig.

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The insider says, “Mike would love to do more roles and sees himself as a star already. He walks around puffed up and talking about a mansion in Beverly Hills and a new car — but people around him think it’s tacky.”

The insider recalls that Wolfe had vowed to continue the show in Frank’s memory after his bearded buddy died at age 60 in September 2024 — but now says, “Folks are calling him a turncoat.”

As GLOBE readers know, Wolfe says Fritz was fired from American Pickers in 2021 because of an opioid addiction — nearly a year before the fan favorite was left virtually incapacitated by a stroke.

“They’d had an awful falling-out but reconciled shortly before Frank’s death,” explains the insider. “Mike’s telling people this isn’t the end of American Pickers — but it sure as hell isn’t his first love anymore.”