Frank Fritz from ‘American Pickers’ Hospitalized after Stroke, Estranged Friend Mike Wolfe asks for ‘Prayers’

Frank Fritz who stared in “American Pickers” alongside Mike Wolfe has had a stroke and has been hospitalized.

His former costar Mike Wolf shared about Fritz’s hospitalization on Instagram.

“I have been very private in the past year in regards to Franks life and the journey he’s been on. There has been lots of opinions in regards to mine and Frank’s friendship and the show but now is not the time to set the record straight. Now is the time to pray for my friend.

Frank has suffered a stroke and is in the hospital. Please keep him in your hearts and thoughts.

Frank I pray more than anything that you make it through this okay. I love you buddy.”

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A post shared by Mike Wolfe (@mikewolfeamericanpicker)

The division between the pair became glaringly clear after Fritz had to leave the show for 9 months back surgery as well as alcohol detox. After his surgery and quitting alcohol, Fritz was hoping to come back to the show, however, he was never invited back.

The show nor Wolfe had contacted Fritz while he was out for surgery. Eventually, Wolfe shared on Instagram in an ambiguous post confirming that Fritz was no longer on the show.

“I have known Frank for as long as I can remember, he’s been like a brother to me. The journey that Frank, Dani and I started back in 2009, like all of life, has come with its highs and lows, blessings and challenges, but it has also been the most rewarding.

The support that you all have given us has been a constant reminder of what the show’s message has always been; thru these places, people, and things we all have a common thread. We’re here to not only take care of the past, but also each other.

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.”

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A post shared by Mike Wolfe (@mikewolfeamericanpicker)

This post by Wolfe did not sit well with Fritz. Frank shared with The Sun his side of events. He explained his “mysterious disappearance”:

Frank told The Sun: “The weight loss is me watching what I’m eating so I can keep my disease under control the best I can. I’m just eating healthy. 

“After a while I started watching what I’m doing and I’m doing a little bit more walking. I keep pretty busy around here too, taking care of the grass and getting rid of the weeds.”

Frank continued that he is sober today, adding: “Not drinking helps with the weight loss because when you drink you eat. I’m not dieting.

“I was drinking a little bit too, but that didn’t work out either. I haven’t had a drink in almost nine, ten months. 

“It would have been a year but I had one slip up, it was maybe for four hours but it was enough.”…

Frank told The Sun: “That was a big thing about coming back to the show. How can I come back to the show 65lbs lighter?

“I would like to come back to the show, but we will see. I was doing it for 11 years, but there is a lot of controversy going on right now.”…

He continued: “It’s up to the network whether I come back on the show. It ain’t gonna affect me one bit. I didn’t leave the show, I finished shooting and then I had a little back surgery and the pandemic came.”

Mike claimed Frank’s absence from the series was because he was recovering from back surgery. 

Frank said of how his back is today: “My back is doing perfect. I had a couple of rods put in there. It was from lifting stuff all the time. 

“If you watch the show you can see who the guy is that’s lifting all the time, it’s always me. It had been hurting for a long, long time. I’m talking months and months and months.”

In another interview with The Sun he addressed Mike’s post about his departure from the show:

He said: “Mike’s statement was bulls***, somebody wrote it out for him.

“We never were friends in grade school.

“I don’t believe in ten years he’s said five nice things to me, you know?

“Unless he was cutting somebody else down and we were both laughing.”

Frank continued: “Mike didn’t call me himself, never, like I said – we haven’t spoken for two years.

“That is the 100% truth and I don’t like people that lie to people.

“I’m not a liar just for the fact that my brain can’t remember if I lied or not.

“I don’t lie to people, even if it hurts. If it hurts your feelings, I’m sorry. If you don’t like me anymore that’s your problem.”

The show left behind Fritz when he was down, and from his point of view, Wolfe made no effort to check on him during that time. Fritz called out Wolfe for lying to people with his post’s portrayal of their relationship.

With Wolfe’s newest Instagram post the pair may have made some headway in repairing their relationship. It could also be that Wolfe is trying to portray himself in a positive light.

With Fritz no longer on the show, Wolfe’s brother has stepped in as his new partner in picking. Many people have stopped watching as it is no longer the same show without Fritz.

It is sad to hear that Fritz has ended up in the hospital we wish him well.