Frank Fritz history of addictions and health problems explored as American Pickers star dies aged 60 

Former American Pickers star Frank Fritz died at the age of 60. His co-host in the hit History Channel series, Mike Wolfe, confirmed his death on Instagram on Tuesday, October 1, 2024, writing:

"It's with a broken heart that I share with all of you that Frank passed away last night."

Fritz and Wolfe traveled all over America to search for rare artifacts and national treasures in American Pickers, which aired in 2010 and continued for 25 seasons. Wolfe looked back on his time with Fritz on television and their relationship in his Instagram post, saying:

"I've known Frank for more than half my life and what you've seen on TV has always been what I have seen, a dreamer who was just as sensitive as he was funny. The same off camera as he was on, Frank had a way of reaching the hearts of so many by just being himself."

Wolfe also recalled his and Fritz's shared passion and their "countless trips" to discover "something interesting and historic." Wolfe didn't share anything about the cause of Frank Fritz's death, but he previously suffered a stroke two years ago and had back surgery years before that.

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Frank Fritz battled alcoholism and suffered from a stroke years before his death

Frank Fritz revealed his longtime battle with alcohol addiction at the height of his American Pickers career to The Sun in July 2021. He mentioned checking himself into The Abbey Center, a treatment center in Iowa, for 77 days to help treat his alcohol abuse.

He recalled his time in rehab with a positive disposition, saying that they "gave [him] a lot of information" and one-on-one time and that he had a "great time" there. During his interview with The Sun, Fritz revealed that he was 11 months sober. At the time of the interview, Frank Fritz was taking a brief hiatus from the reality television show.

He last appeared in the series in March 2020, with plans to get back on the series after he recovered from his back surgery. He revealed to The Sun that he had to get 185 stitches and two rods but insisted that he was still in top shape and could continue to lift. However, he never returned to the series.

In the summer of 2022, Frank Fritz suffered from a debilitating stroke that bound him to a wheelchair. The New York Post reported that the former American Pickers star was rushed to the hospital after a friend found him unresponsive on the floor of his Iowa home. Mike Wolfe also shared the news on his Instagram, revealing that Fritz is under the care of medical professionals.

The reality TV star was reportedly checked into an assisted living facility to help with his physical therapy after the stroke. He reportedly "lost verbal and mobile" abilities after the stroke. On August 18, the star's longtime friend, Chris Davis, filed for an emergency conservatorship shortly before he was scheduled to be released from the nursing facility.

Per the court documents The Sun obtained, Frank Fritz's decision-making capacity was reportedly "so impaired," that the legal papers allegedly requested another friend, who has been the star's career since the stroke, be named as his guardian with the bank to help handle his financial affairs.