Anika Begay
“You never know what’s coming through that door!” At the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop, there’s always a new painting, antique, or rare collectible on the way. And there’s no one better at pricing these treasures than the History Channel crew. Pawn Stars. Pawning existed long before ATMs and check cashing services, offering people a place to exchange their goods to make ends meet. Founded in 1989, this Las Vegas landmark is a long-standing family business, housing items valued at up to millions of dollars. Whether it’s an iconic Super Bowl ring or a historic artifact from a 16th-century samurai, the pawn shop has it all.
Run by a team with eagle eyes and negotiating skills faster than you can say “sold,” here’s a guide to the Harrison family heirs who run this refined and elegant establishment.
Pawn Stars
- Release date
- July 19, 2009
- Seasons
- 19
Richard Benjamin Harrison
Richard Benjamin Harrisonaffectionately nicknamed “The Old Man”, he is the founder and pillar behind the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop. Long before Pawn Stars fame, Richard had lived a busy life, full of hardships. After serving in the United States Navy, Richard ventured into real estate. But true to the nature of the business, his efforts were in vain and he lost a million dollars. Seeking a fresh start, Richard packed up his belongings and moved his family to Las Vegas, hoping to strike it rich. In Sin City, Richard decided to open the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop in 1988.
The retired Navy sailor not only had to run the store, but he also needed to learn how to back up his expertise. With his work primarily involving antiques, Richard had a keen eye for assessing the value of everything from Rolexes to classic cars. His uncanny ability eventually helped him turn his initial $10,000 investment into a respected multimillion-dollar business. Coming from a uniformed background, Richard not only had the professional expertise to run his store, he built it on discipline. Always looking for a tough bargain, it takes a lot for anyone, including his children, to please Richard.
Sadly, Richard passed away on June 25, 2018, at the age of 77. Until his passing, Richard spent his last years very busy in the pawn shop. Having been named to the Times 100 list in 2012 and given the Key to the City of his hometown of Lexington, Richard remains an influential figure to this day.
Rick Harrison
Like father, like son. Rick HarrisonAlso known as “The Spotter”, Rick has an eye as sharp as his old man. Just as his late father had the ability to accurately calculate the value of rare collectibles, Rick can easily spot anything fake or stolen. Rick began studying pawn trading at the age of 13. When other kids his age were wondering what college to attend, Rick dropped out of high school to sell counterfeit Gucci handbags, earning a lucrative $2,000 a week. With enough money in his wallet, Rick became his father’s business partner at the age of 23. With 28 years of experience in the business world (and counting), Rick’s general knowledge of a variety of objects, from fine art to rare historical oddities, has served him well in determining an item’s value.
However, Rick’s greatest contribution to the business is the show. Pawn Stars himself. Always looking for ways to gain exposure, Rick constantly contacts local media and cable TV shows to spotlight the shop and attract even more customers. It didn’t take long for Rick to turn the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop into a reality show, which he sent to several networks. Not everyone was on board with the idea, especially Rick’s father. When Rick managed to convince a crew to shoot a test episode on a Saturday, Richard wasn’t thrilled with the idea of having to go shopping on a day off. Despite initial conflicts, the sizzle reel eventually found its way to the History Channel. With Rick’s determination, Pawn Stars It ran for 22 seasons and the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop attracted up to 3,000 customers a day, becoming a must-see for Las Vegas tourists.
My Friend Corey Harrison
Corey “Big Hoss” Harrison is Rick’s first child, with his first wife, Kim. Following in the footsteps of those who came before him, Corey He started dealing with pawn at the tender age of 9. In addition to having his father’s keen eye for spotting a crook, Corey has a more modern and technological touch to his already credible skills. Corey is in charge of human resources, which means he hires and fires employees when necessary. He is also the guy responsible for dealing with eBay customers. As the saying goes, never mix family with business. Despite being a direct descendant of the family business, Corey still has to work hard to earn his place in the company.
Most recently, Corey was arrested in Las Vegas on suspicion of drunk driving. Pawn Stars cast member was seen driving his white Ford pickup dangerously, veering between the right lane and the bike lane. After investigation, it was discovered that his car smelled of alcohol.
Adam Harrison
Adam Harrison is Rick’s second son, with his first wife Kim. Unlike Corey, Adam has never appeared on Pawn Stars. Unfortunately, everything changed when news of Adam’s sudden death hit the press. In January 2024, Adam was found dead on January 19th following a fentanyl overdose. He was only 39 years old. Laura HerlovichRick’s representative, released a statement on behalf of the Harrison family regarding Adam’s untimely passing.
“Our family is deeply saddened by Adam’s passing. We ask for privacy as we grieve his loss,” the statement read. Amid the heartbreaking loss for the famous family, here’s everything you need to know about Rick’s adult children.
Jake Harrison
Jake Harrison He is Rick’s third child and the only child he had with his second wife. Tracy HarrisonJust like his father and older brother Corey, Jake joined the family business in season 18 of Pawn Stars. Like any newbie, Jake is being tested. Part of his initiation includes being able to tell a fake from a real Rolex, simply by spotting the green paint on the fake. With his father walking him through every step of the way, Jake is learning the tricks of the trade as meticulously as he can. After all, he has some very big shoes to fill.
My Friend Russell
Corey’s childhood friend, Austin “Chumlee” Russell, Affectionately nicknamed after the cartoon character Tennessee Tuxedo, his teammate, a walrus named Chumley, is practically a son to Rick. Since he wasn’t even tall enough to reach the counter, Chumlee spent most of his childhood coming to the store. Every business needs a source of comic relief, especially when its employees are constantly dealing with different customers. That’s where Chumlee comes in. As the de facto butt of the kids’ jokes, he’s the one providing the laughs in the store. His friendly demeanor makes him the ultimate customer service professional, constantly seen taking the other customers’ side. But his heart of gold sometimes gets the better of him and does more harm than good for the business.
Often siding with his clients, Chumlee is the go-to guy for the best deals, which may not always align with Rick’s rigid business approaches. On top of that, Chum constantly encourages Corey to buy the silliest items that don’t make any money, like video games and circus memorabilia. Unfortunately, Chumlee hasn’t had the best of years recently. Chumlee was previously charged after guns and drugs were found in his home. Pawn Stars cast member is currently on a plea deal that would keep him out of prison. However, that deal would require Chumlee to give up his illegal assets.
Ciana, Marrisa and Sarina
Ciana, MarrisaAND Image They are Rick’s three stepdaughters from his third marriage to Deanna Burditt. While not much is known about her daughters, it was revealed that in 2022, Ciana got married and Rick walked her down the aisle at her wedding. Marrisa is currently a hair and makeup artist with an exclusive clientele that includes big names like Corinne Fox AND Heidi MondaySarina is a graduate of Louisiana State University.
