Original member of the hit reality show “American Pickers” Frank Fritz has been hospitalized after suffering a stroke, his former costar Mike Wolfe revealed. Wolfe asked people to “pray for my friend” following a falling out between the two.
The 58-year-old TV host took to his Instagram Thursday and shared the news about Fritz being in the hospital and how he was praying for his 56-year-old buddy to make it through.
“I have been very private in the past year in regards to Frank’s life and the journey he’s been on,” Wolfe shared with his hundreds of thousands of followers.
“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,” he added. “Now is the time to pray for my friend.”
“Frank has suffered a stroke and is in the hospital,” Wolfe continued. “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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In 2010, “American Pickers” debuted on the History Channel and became a hit. The show followed the pair as they traveled across the country and found relics, “transforming one person’s trash into another’s treasure,” according to History.com. They earned “a living by restoring forgotten relics to their former glory,” the site added.
Fritz was suddenly gone from the show after the airing of an episode in March of 2020, The Sun noted.
In July 2021, Fritz told The Sun that he no longer has any contact with Wolfe. A rep for The History Channel confirmed Fritz’s departure to People.
“I haven’t talked to Mike in two years,” Frank shared. “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.”
In a statement shared with People at the time, Wolfe said he will miss his former co-host.
“I have known Frank for as long as I can remember, he’s been like a brother to me,” Wolfe shared. “The journey that Frank, Dani (Danielle) 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. 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.”