TV star died at 60 after 'opioid addiction', spinal surgery, and stroke

2 weeks ago 4

Frank Fritz sadly passed away this September. The former American Pickers star was 60 years old. Frank appeared in more than 300 episodes and starred on the show for over a decade. He and his best friend, Mike Wolfe, were the main stars, spending their days traveling all over the US looking for rare and interesting items.

When American Pickers‘ Frank Fritz parted ways with the show, his exit sparked a lot of confusion for fans. There was some speculation around him and Mike falling out. Ultimately, his departure reportedly came down to his health. Frank suffered a stroke two years ago. His co-star, Mike, now explains how the time following Frank’s surgery “changed everything.”

Mike Wolfe says Frank Fritz battled opioid addiction

Two months on from the passing of his best friend, American Pickers’ Mike Wolfe shares his experience of Frank’s final years.

The reality TV star explains how Frank’s story isn’t for him to tell, but adds: “But I do have, I feel, the right to tell the personal story of how myself and so many people struggled to navigate what was going on in his life,” per People.

Mike details how both he and Frank experienced “relationships that were falling apart” during COVID.

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Around that time, Frank also had to have surgery for a back injury.

Following the surgery, Mike says “everything changed” because Frank “…became addicted to opioids…”

He explains how he and Frank’s loved ones “staged an intervention,” adding how “it was really hard watching Frank doing some of the things that he was doing.”

The History Channel star adds how he “never gave up” on his friend, and detailed how he “fought really hard to get him into rehab.”

While acknowledging that he and Frank did experience a “rift” during their friendship, Mike explains they “never disconnected.”

For substance abuse treatment and mental health referrals, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357), or 1-844-289-0879 available 24/7. You can also contact American Addiction Centers for free and confidential advice at (888) 341-9792.

To get help in the UK, you can call Frank on 0300 123 6600 or Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) on 0800 9177 650.