Frank Fritz, 56, of American Pickers suffered a stroke and is hospitalized. Already, co-star Mike Wolfe has asked for prayers. Not a good sign.
TMZ reports Fritz’s condition is unknown, other than he’s in the hospital.
Wolfe posted 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.
Fritz’s health has been an ongoing issue. He hadn’t appeared in an episode since March 2020. Fritz also needed back surgery which he says caused him to leave the show.
Fritz entered rehab for alcohol issues around 2020. He said about rehab:
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.
On top of all that, he also owes unpaid taxes to Iowa for two properties. According to The Sun, unpaid taxes for both add up to roughly $5,000.
The Sun can exclusively reveal Frank missed the September 1, 2021 and March 1, 2022 tax payments on his Iowa home, making the total debt $3,402, according to the Scott County Treasurer’s Office.
Frank bought the Iowa farmhouse for $130,000 back on May 14, 2010.
As for the adjoining property that he purchased in 2013 for $25,000, he also missed the September 1, 2021 and March 1, 2022 payments, as he owes $1,636.
His grand total in property tax debt is $5,038.
This was reported months ago in 2022.
Fritz has had a lot going on recently. Alcoholism, tax issues, his firing from American Pickers. No doubt all that contributed to his stroke. He’s gonna need more than just prayers.