Frank Bielec, of ‘Trading Spaces’ fame, dies at 72

TCA Winter Event 2018

PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 12: Frank Bielec of 'Trading Spaces' onstage during the TLC portion of the Discovery Communications Winter TCA Event 2018 at the Langham Hotel on January 12, 2018 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Amanda Edwards/Getty Images for Discovery )Getty Images for Discovery

Frank Bielec, the famed designer from TLC’s hit show “Trading Spaces”, has died at 72.

The network announced the news on its social media account Saturday. According to TMZ, Bielec suffered a heart attack on Friday and passed away at a Houston, Texas hospital.

“A sad day for the TLC family as we learn of the passing of beloved Trading Spaces designer Frank Bielec,” TLC’s statement said.

“We will miss and remember him fondly, his quirky style and wonderful sense of humor. We share our love and condolences with the entire Bielec family at this difficult time.”

“Trading Space” aired from 2000-2008 and featured a set of neighbors switching houses to redo a room in 48 hours with only a $1,000 budget, a designer, and a carpenter. Bielec was a star of the show during both that run and also a 2018 reboot of the popular series.

“Lovely Frank Bielec passed away today from complications following a heart attack,” Vern Yip, another one of the show’s interior designers, tweeted.

“Funny, wise, nice, and talented, he always lent perspective and levity to every situation. Thanks you for always being kind to me. I will miss you dearly friend. #FrankBielec #RIP #TradingSpaces”

If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.