Earlier this month, we reported that the American Pickers star Frank Fritz had died at the age of 60 two years after suffering from a stroke.
Now, it’s been revealed that Fritz would have returned to American Pickers if the stroke that he suffered in July of 2022 hadn’t left half of his body paralyzed. For the final two years of his life, Fritz required a wheelchair to get around, and it kept him from the work he loved so much.
Fritz’s Health Issue Stopped Him From Returning To American Pickers
Fritz appeared on American Pickers with his longtime friend Mike Wolfe from 2010 until he left the show in 2021 to focus on his health. Fritz’s close friend Jerry Gendreau told The Sun that he would’ve returned to the show had it not been for his health problems.
“Mike came up with the idea for the show. Mike was smart enough to know the show would be perfect with Frank,” Gendreau said. “My analogy of the two, Mike and Frank were like Jerry Lewis and Dean Martin.”
“Jerry Lewis, Frank, was just as important or maybe even more important for the show. It’s very hard to be the Jerry Lewis all of the time,” he continued. “I think Frank would’ve went back, but he had his health issues. And he did have some serious health issues. From 25 or 30 on he suffered from Crohn’s.”
Crohn’s is a disease of the bowel. The condition causes inflammation in the digestive tract and unpleasant side effects.
Gendreau went on to say that Fritz was beloved by American Pickers fans because of his “spontaneity.”
“He was truly the comedian who popped out with some of the weirdest and dumbest things that you just go, ‘Wow,’” Gendreau explained. “He made a mark on history.”
Full Story: ‘American Pickers’ Star Frank Fritz Dead At 60 Two Years After Suffering From A Stroke
Fritz’s Final Months
Gendreau then opened up about what Fritz’s final months were like.
“He felt really, really bad,” he lamented. “You would go to see him in the nursing home and one-half of his body was completely done. He would lift his arm up and it would just drop. That’s got to be tough to be totally bedridden.”
According to Gendreau, Fritz grew “frustrated” because he “couldn’t come out and say what he wanted to say,” though some days were “much, much better than others.”
“I’ve seen this when people get tired, they get tired. I think if you don’t have the will to live, you won’t,” Gendreau stated. “I think Frank could’ve lived a lot longer if the will to live would’ve been there.”
Fritz was sadly left wheelchair-bound after his stroke.
“He can walk, but he’s always going to need the wheelchair because he can’t walk long distances,” a source previously said in August of 2023. “Basically, you lose motion. He lost motion. A stroke can affect your left or your right side, it affected his right side.”
Related: ‘American Pickers’ Star Mike Wolfe Reemerges After Devastating Death Of Frank Fritz
Wolfe Dedicates New American Pickers Season To Fritz
The latest season of American Pickers premiered on Wednesday, October 9. Wolfe also hinted that Fritz could have been back on the show under different circumstances.
“It’s has taken me a long time to figure out what I was going to say or if I even wanted to post that we have new episodes starting tomorrow night,” Wolfe wrote on Instagram the day before. “The timing of this and Frank’s passing is not great however we have been making shows without Frank for four years now and we have always wanted him to be back with this crew, but he couldn’t due to health issues.”
“Every time the crew and I were in Iowa, we would go and sit by Frank’s side and let him know how much he was missed, how he could never be replaced and we will work incredibly hard on every episode to make him proud,” he continued. “As always, since Frank has left, I dedicate this show and all the others this season in his honor.”
While it’s sad that Fritz’s final years were so difficult, we can all find comfort in knowing that he’s at peace now. Please join us in saying a prayer for Fritz’s loved ones as they continue to mourn him.
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