What is known about Frank Fritz’s health? The reason he left ‘American Pickers’

Two years after suffering a stroke, former American Pickers frontman Frank Fritz reportedly remains in need of “long-term skilled nursing care”.

Fritz, 58, co-hosted the popular History Channel series for a decade, starring alongside Mike Wolfe as the pair criss-crossed the United States in search of undiscovered valuable antiques. “The show follows the team as they scour the country for hidden gems in junkyards, basements, garages and barns, meeting quirky characters and hearing their amazing stories,” the series’ official synopsis reads.

Fritz struck by stroke in mid-2022

Having appeared in his final American Pickers episode in March 2020, Fritz had a stroke in summer 2022, with Wolfe announcing the news on social media. “Please keep him in your hearts and thoughts,” Wolfe posted. “Frank I pray more than anything that you make it through this okay. I love you buddy.”

In the wake of his stroke, Fritz has been living in an “assisted living facility”, a source told the US Sun in early 2024, and has been placed under an emergency conservatorship. This week, the media outlet quoted court documents relating to the conservatorship as saying: “[He] continues to rely on long-term skilled nursing care, so it is imperative that his assets are properly managed and wisely invested to support his long-term needs.”

Fritz’s stroke came on the back of several other health issues. He has battled Crohn’s disease for many years, and has struggled with alcoholism. His departure from American Pickers came as he recuperated from an operation to cure back trouble - although Fritz told a 2021 interview with the US Sun that he had only taken a temporary step away from the series to complete his recovery.

“I didn’t leave the show,” he insisted. “I finished shooting and then I had a little back surgery and the pandemic came.”

Later in 2021, however, American Pickers confirmed that Fritz wouldn’t be returning. In a social-media message, Wolfe described Fritz as “like a brother to me”, adding: “I will miss Frank, just like all of you, and I pray for the very best and all good things for him on the next part of his journey.”

Fritz-Wolfe rift talk denied

Since Fritz’s departure from American Pickers, there has been regular speculation of a rift between the pair, whose relationship stretches back to before their time together on the show. Fritz himself has fanned the flames of such rumours with some of his public statements in the past, but Wolfe denied talk of a falling-out in early 2023.

“Frank and I are friends,” he said in a TikTok video. “He was just at my brother’s graduation for his kids, right before he had his stroke. If anybody’s thinking about Frank they should be praying for him.”

In May 2023, a source close to the pair told the Quad-City Times that their relationship had become “strained” while working on American Pickers, but said talk of a feud was wide of the mark.

After a period without seeing each other, the insider added, Fritz had been feeling well enough to meet up with Wolfe that Memorial Day Weekend. It was described as a reunion where there were “tears flowing on both sides”. “They needed separation to appreciate each other,” the source said.