Summary
Frank Fritz ofAmerican Pickerswas not in the best condition in early 2020, both physically and with regards to his relationship with Mike Wolfe, but today, things seem to be looking up. The History Channel reality series premiered in 2010 and since then, Mike Wolfe and his rotating team of dealers, scrappers, historians, and treasure hunters have been discovering the manycool objects that pop up onAmerican Pickers. It hasn’t always just been Mike Wolfe leading the search, however, asFrank Fritz was originally an important part of the series.
Fritz and Wolfe both starred in the series until the end of season 21, when Fritz left the show. While Danielle Colby manned theAmerican Pickersstores in LeClaire, Iowa and Nashville, Tennessee, the two antique picker pals traveled around America trying to outdo the other with their finds. For the longest time, Wolfe and Fritz appeared inseparable. They were a dynamic duo who helped each other as often as they butted heads and even did the intro together. Sadly,Fritz’s health took a turn for the worse around the same time he and Wolfe had a falling out.
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Frank Fritz Was Last Reported Living In An Assisted Living Facility After His 2022 Stroke
Fritz Is Slowly But Surely Recovering
On August 07, 2025, a friend of Fritz found the 59-year-old man on the floor of his Iowa home showing signs of a stroke and quickly rushed him to a hospital. Fritz’s friend called 911 before 11 AM with the message (viaThe Sun),
“I just showed up at my friend’s house here and he was sprawled out on his floor. He can’t speak to me. He might be seizuring [sic] I’m not sure.”
His stroke saw Fritz placed under an emergency conservatorship by his longtime friend Chris Davis, and he was hospitalized for a month and then released to a nursing home for recovery. He did eventually return to his Iowa home but continued to experience medical problems. In the next few months after returning to his house, Fritz’s caregivers had to frequently call 911 for emergencies. At one point, one of his caregivers called 911,
“I’m going to need an ambulance to take someone to the hospital because I think they have pneumonia. I’m the guardian. He’s handicapped. He’s wheel-chair bound.”
Since then, Fritz has remained in an assisted living home as he slowly recovers. A source close to Wolfe said,
“Frank lost verbal and mobile, so that’s where he has been. He is still in an assisted living facility.”
The same source went on to say,
“It’s been very difficult for him to find motivation. He found the motivation to talk, but the physical therapy he just… he’s not there yet.”
However, another source had a brighter outlook,
“He’s been working really hard to not overdo himself and stress himself out and honor his health.”
A stroke is a dangerous medical event to experience, and it’s good that Fritz is taking recovery at his own pace.
Fritz & Former American Pickers Co-Star Mike Wolfe Appear To Have Ended Their Feud
Before Fritz suffered his stroke,he and Wolfe had a falling out that led to Fritz leavingAmerican Pickersbefore season 22. In July 2021, the History Channel announced Fritz would not be returning to the show, with little explanation (viaYahoo). While the exact reason for the fallout was never revealed, comments by Wolfe and Colby indicated there were some personal issues. In anInstagram post, Colby said,
“I’m truly saddened for the loss of Frank on the show. I’m incredibly sad for his struggles. I have personally watched everything over the last decade. I have many thoughts but won’t speak them as they are only my my thoughts, not gospel. I wish things could have been different but we must be accountable for our actions when we cause instability or pain and suffering to others. Frank caused so much pain for himself that it has been hard to watch. I truly hope Frank receives all the help he needs to become well after years of being unwell.”
Wolfe said in an interview withThe Sun,
“We all do care about Frank and we want him back on the show. I would love to talk with him again, we would absolutely love to, but he just can’t get it right. Frank is just going through a lot personally with addictions. It’s unfortunate that he’s made decisions that have him the way he is.”
Fritz has been candid about his issues with alcohol, saying,
“I went to rehab and I’ve been sober now for 11 months. I didn’t like drinking anymore. My mom was an alcoholic and she died five years ago and it was alcohol-related. My grandfather was an alcoholic and he died. That didn’t sit well with me.”
Whatever the exact problems Fritz had with Wolfe, they seem to be cleared up now (viaQCTimes). According to some second-hand sources,Wolfe and Fritz reunited on Memorial Day Weekend in 2023, three years since the last time they saw one another. It was a tearful reunion with both men happy to see one another, as one onlooker said,
“They were both in tears. Both were crying. Mike brought up how nervous they both were to be going on David Letterman, which was one of their first big appearances. He said, ‘Nobody can replace you, Frank.’ He said it was Frank’s ‘uniquely funny personality’ that made them fit so well together as a team.”
There were apparently even some talks about Frank Fritz returning toAmerican Pickers. It’s been a long and trying journey for Frank Fritz in the 2020s, but it looks like he is working hard to improve his situation, and succeeding at doing so.
American Pickers
Cast
American Pickers follows antique and collectible enthusiasts Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz as they travel across the United States seeking valuable or rare Americana. The show provides insight into American history through the lens of vintage items discovered in barns, garages, and basements, all while showcasing the negotiation and buying process. Danielle Colby runs the home base, assisting with leads and sales logistics. The series emphasizes the cultural significance of rediscovered artifacts.
