Frank Fritz, of 'American Pickers,' under guardianship after stroke
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Frank Fritz, Iowan and former co-host of the reality show “American Pickers,” has been placed under a temporary guardianship following a debilitating stroke, according to court documents.
“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,” states a petition for guardianship filed in August. He is also “unable to make, communicate, or carry out important decisions concerning his own financial affairs.”
While Fritz recovers, a guardian “is necessary to avoid immediate harm,” the petition states.
On July 14, Fritz — who owns Frank Fritz Finds, an antiques store in Savanna, Illinois — was found unresponsive in his Davenport home and rushed to a local hospital. He was released to a rehabilitation facility in mid-August, where he continues to recover, court documents show.
“There are sufficient allegations to warrant appointment of a guardian and conservator on an emergency basis, including a letter from the Protected Party’s physician indicating he is unable to make decisions for himself,” Judge Henry Latham wrote in an order approving the guardianship.
A longtime friend was installed as guardian of Fritz’s care, and a local bank took over conservatorship of his finances. The guardian, who has been assisting Fritz since his stroke, and others involved declined through a lawyer to speak with the Register.
Fritz and Mike Wolfe, his childhood friend and reality TV co-star, achieved fame for their series, “American Pickers,” which followed the collectors as they traveled the country looking for antiques.
Premiering in 2010, the show diverted from the “Antiques Roadshow” format of shooting on a controlled set and featuring expert commentary. Instead, Wolfe and Fritz leaned on their streetwise knowledge and razor-sharp gut feelings as they traveled backroads and small-town Main Streets for looking for stories in equal measure to picks — as fans call the objects they buy.
Their folksy formula created reality show gold, making “Pickers” a ratings and rerun juggernaut for years.
But fans noted that Fritz was missing from episodes dating back to the start of the pandemic. In July 2021, Wolfe made his co-star’s exit from the show official in an Instagram post.
“I have known Frank for as long as I can remember, he’s been like a brother to me,” Wolfe wrote. “…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.”
In the ensuing two years, tabloids like The Sun have breathlessly covered Fritz’s post-“Pickers” life, including a split from his former fiancée, a stint in rehab for alcohol abuse and extreme weight loss.
Fritz’s stroke was first reported by Wolfe in an Instagram post this summer, asking viewers to pray for his former co-star.
“I have been very private in the past year in regards to Frank's life and the journey he’s been on,” Wolfe wrote. “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 I pray more than anything that you make it through this okay. I love you buddy.”
A friend of Fritz’s told the Quad-City Times that Wolfe’s post came as a surprise, but the collector hopes “something positive” can come out of the attention his health has received.
"While Frank was not prepared at the time for his condition to be published, he is grateful for all the prayers and well wishes," the Times reported the friend said.
"He would like everyone to know he continues to get better every day and is very determined," she told the Times. "He really is getting better every single day."
COURTNEY CROWDER, the Register's Iowa Columnist, traverses the state's 99 counties telling Iowans' stories. She wasn't an antiques person until she bought a house. You can reach her at (515) 284-8360 or ccrowder@dmreg.com. Follow her on Twitter @courtneycare.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: American Pickers' Frank Fritz suffers stroke, enters conservatorship
