Tributes are pouring in for Netflix star Rob “The Rabbit” Pitts after his death at the age of 45.
Pitts, who starred in Netflix series Tex Mex Motors, died on Sunday after being diagnosed with stomach cancer, according to his videographer.
“Hey everyone, this is Jeff (Rob’s Videographer). I am with him now in Hospice. He just passed at 21:45 on 08/25/2024,” he posted in the comments of a video on Pitts’ YouTube channel announcing his diagnosis.
“He will be missed and we will never forget him!”
Pitts was the CEO of Pitts Truck Service, a third generation family business that started in 1968, which offers truck and trailer repair services.
Rob Pitts via Facebook
He was also involved in the sales of restored classic cars, as seen in the Netflix series Tex Mex Motors, which saw Pitts and fellow car scout Scooter Carrera travel along the U.S.-Mexico border to find vintage cars to restore and resell. Cars featured in the show include a 69 Opel, a ’65 Volkswagen Bug, a ’63 Chevy Carryall, a vintage Bronco.
The show premiered on Netflix in June 2023. Pitts was filming the second season of the show when he was diagnosed with stomach cancer.
In a video posted to YouTube, he said that he first started feeling “off” during the SEMA show last year when he was losing weight while preparing to begin filming for season 2 of Tex Mex Motors.
“During filming, I started to lose my appetite, and had more and more acid reflux-like symptoms,” he wrote.
Toward the end of March, he was diagnosed with stomach cancer.
“Don’t be sad for me,” he wrote. “I accomplished my dream of buying my own store, finishing season 2 of Netflix, and marrying the love of my life.”
Following his death, tributes poured in for the 45-year-old.
“Rob Pitts played a massive role in the man I am today. He inspired me to buy and sell cars. When I was a kid he was my #1 role model, I wanted to be just like him one day, and I still do. He inspired me to start a business, he inspired me to be the good, honest businessman that I aim to be. He made such a massive impact in my life, as well as many others. Rest in peace Rabbit, you will never be forgotten,” one person wrote on YouTube.
“It’s always the good ones that seem to have the shortest time here.
Rest easy Rabbit, you were a one of a kind in every way that’s good and decent.
I’m gonna go back and binge all your videos after I get this dust out of my eye,” another comment read.
“The world has lost an amazing storyteller, thank you for influencing so many and even more to come. Truly a man I would have liked to swap stories with over a beer on a muggy and buggy porch,” a third person said.
Another comment posted to X described him as an “absolute legend.”
“This is so heartbreaking… RIP to Rob “Rabbit” Pitts, and absolute legend in the automotive community, they wrote.
“Your stories always were a joy to listen to, and part the reason why I love VinWiki as a whole. My condolences to his family. See you on the other side Rabbit.”
Season 2 of Tex Mex Motors has not yet been released.