Mike Wolfe Reunites With Former ‘American Pickers’ Co-Host Frank Fritz, Who Continues to Recover From Last Year’s Stroke

Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz, who rose to fame as co-hosts of American Pickers, have finally reunited after three years – and it comes one year after Fritz suffered a life-threatening stroke. They met over Memorial Day weekend with the help of a friend, who came up with the idea and made the arrangements. 

According to the Quad-City Times, ‘the tears were flowing’ when they linked up. The friend, who asked to remain anonymous, said the two weren’t feuding after all – referring to reports of tension between them in recent years. “They were not feuding. They needed separation to appreciate each other,” the friend said.

The friend goes on to confirm that their relationship became strained after ‘working 10-hour days, seven days a week’ together, but they’re not letting their time apart get in the way of their friendship. The friend also adds that Mike has wanted to see Frank for a while, but Frank recently felt up to it after three years. 

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“They were both in tears. Both were crying,” the friend said to the Quad-City Times. “[Mike Wolfe] 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.” Mike asked Frank to return to the show, but Frank has other priorities right now.

In July 2022, Frank Fritz suffered a stroke and was found on the floor by a friend before being rushed to the hospital. At the time, Mike Wolfe posted a photo of Frank on Instagram and asked his followers to ‘keep him in your hearts and thoughts’ – adding that he prays more than anything that he recovers. 

Toward the end of last year, we learned just how much the stroke affected his ability to live a quality life. “Because of his stroke, Mr. Fritz’s decision­-making capacity is so impaired that he is unable to care for his own safety, or to provide for necessities such as food, shelter, clothing, or medical care,” a report said.

The report also claimed Fritz is ‘unable to make, communicate, or carry out important decisions concerning his own financial affairs.’ We later learned that Fritz was unhappy that Wolfe decided to release news of Fritz’s hospitalization to the public, but he appreciates the love and support he received.

Why Did Frank Fritz Leave ‘American Pickers?’ 

American Pickers is a reality TV series that followed two co-hosts – Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz – as they traveled across the United States in search of antiques and collectibles in the most unlikely of places. The show premiered on January 18, 2010, but major changes were made to the show’s lineup in July 2021. 

He initially stepped away from the show in March 2020 to focus on his health – the 56-year-old had back surgery and was battling Chron’s disease. A year later, on July 21, 2022, Mike Wolfe announced that Frank Fritz wouldn’t be returning to the show – confirming the shocking news in an Instagram caption. 

“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,” he wrote. “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.”

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American Pickers was one of the History Channel’s most successful and popular shows between 2010 and 2020. Unfortunately, the show’s ratings plummeted once Frank Fritz left the show. The show lasted 23 seasons – 21 of which Fritz was a part of – and they shot 325 episodes over a 12-year span.