Is Frank Fritz OK? Clue hints ‘American Pickers’ star could be walking again after experiencing a stroke
NASHVILLE, IOWA: 'American Pickers' star Frank Fritz has recently offered a glimpse of hope regarding his progress in recovering from a stroke. This development comes as he has prominently displayed a significant detail in the window of his lavish Iowa farmhouse, valued at an impressive $155,000, according to The US Sun.
For those unfamiliar, in July 2022, Frank, now 60 years old, experienced a life-altering stroke that profoundly impacted his physical abilities, leading to reliance on a wheelchair for mobility. Images obtained by the media outlet showcased the stunning $155,000 farmhouse located in the charming city of Davenport, Iowa. Visible through the side window of Frank's house were crutches, serving as a strong indication that he may have regained the ability to walk once more.
In August 2023, a close pal of Frank shared that he had started walking. "Frank continues to improve daily. You’re never 100 percent after a stroke, but he’s fine. He’s aware of what’s going on," the friend said.
The pal further added, “He can walk, but he’s always going to need the wheelchair because he can’t walk long distances. Basically, you lose motion. He lost motion. A stroke can affect your left or your right side, it affected his right side.”
Frank's friend continued, “He’s the same old Frank. He has a good attitude and a great sense of humor. His mindset is positive. We crack jokes all the time. You gotta make the best of the situation so he’s come to terms with all of that."
'American Pickers' star Frank Fritz remains in assisted living
In January 2024, it emerged that Frank Fritz was residing in assisted living. “Frank lost verbal and mobile, so that’s where he has been. He is still in an assisted living facility," disclosed an insider close to Frank's former co-star Mike Wolfe.
According to the insider's revelations, Frank has managed to regain his ability to speak confidently, but improving his mobility has been a challenging endeavor for the celebrity. The source explained, “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." “He’s been working really hard to not overdo himself and stress himself out and honor his health. He’s not overdoing it and trying to prove anything to himself. He’s honoring what needs to be right now. He’s just at the nursing home for physical therapy. I hope he bounces back. I have faith he will," another source added.
Why was Frank Fritz fired from 'American Pickers'?
Back in the day, Frank Fritz was fired from the History show 'American Pickers.' His last appearance on the show twas in a March 2020 episode.
Following a complex back surgery, Frank opted to take an extended break to allow for proper recovery. The surgery involved the insertion of two rods into his spine and a total of 185 stitches to close the incisions. During his hiatus from the show, Frank managed to shed about 65 pounds and embraced a healthier lifestyle by abstaining from alcohol.
In a conversation with The US Sun, he revealed that he recently completed a 77-day stint in rehab in Iowa to address his alcohol dependency. Additionally, he expressed his desire to have his own spinoff series after leaving American Pickers. After weeks of speculation about Frank's departure, Mike finally addressed the situation and confirmed that his former co-host would not be returning to the show. This announcement came through a social media post shared by Mike.
What happened between Frank Fritz and Mike Wolfe?
The TV host's dismissal reportedly stemmed from an ongoing conflict with Mike. Discussing the fallout with the publication, Frank Fritz remarked, "I haven’t talked to Mike in two years. He knew my back was messed up, but he didn’t call me up and ask how I was doing. That’s just how it is."
He added, "The show is tilted towards him 1,000 percent. I can’t even bend that far down to show you how much." Frank continued, "That’s fine. It’s like you’ve got Aerosmith and there’s Steven Tyler and he’s the front man. I found my spot, I’m second and he’s number one on the show. That’s no problem with me, maybe he does have a problem."
New episodes of 'American Pickers' Season 25 drop on the History Channel every Wednesday at 9 pm ET.