The passing of Richard Harrison, affectionately known as “Old Man Harrison,” marked a significant turning point for the hit reality TV show Pawn Stars. As the patriarch of the Harrison family and a foundational figure at the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop in Las Vegas, his death on August 27, 2018, left an indelible mark on both fans and cast members alike. Perhaps no one felt this loss more profoundly than Austin Russell, better known as Chumlee, who had formed a special bond with the elder Harrison over their years working together.
The Life of Richard Harrison: More Than Just the “Old Man”
Born on January 24, 1943, in Brooklyn, New York, Richard Harrison possessed an entrepreneurial spirit that would eventually lead to the creation of one of television’s most beloved reality shows. Before becoming a household name on the History Channel, Harrison demonstrated remarkable business acumen through various ventures. His journey to success wasn’t without challenges, but his perseverance and shrewd business sense laid the groundwork for what would become a family empire.
Harrison’s path to television stardom began when he relocated to Las Vegas in the early 1980s and established the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop with his son, Rick Harrison. What started as a modest pawnbroking operation gradually evolved into a thriving business, attracting customers from all walks of life.
After serving in the U.S. Navy for 20 years, Harrison sought new opportunities to support his family. Financial challenges in California prompted the Harrison family to relocate to Las Vegas in 1981, a decision that would ultimately change their lives forever. The move to Nevada represented a fresh start, with Harrison and his son Rick Harrison pooling their resources to establish what would become a legendary business.
The Birth of a Television Icon
While the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop operated successfully for many years before television fame, it was the 2009 premiere of Pawn Stars on the History Channel that catapulted Richard Harrison into the spotlight. As the show gained popularity, Harrison’s distinctive personality emerged as one of its greatest assets. His no-nonsense approach to business, coupled with his dry wit and occasional curmudgeonly demeanor, made him an instant fan favorite.
Richard Harrison’s Business Philosophy and Leadership Style
At the heart of Richard Harrison’s success was a business philosophy centered on knowledge, integrity, and calculated risk-taking. Harrison’s leadership style combined old-school discipline with genuine care for those who worked alongside him. As the patriarch of both his family and business, he established clear expectations while providing opportunities for growth and development.
Richard Harrison’s Business Principles
Application in the Pawn Shop
Knowledge is power
Extensive research on items’ historical context and value
Integrity above all
Fair dealings with customers and transparent business practices
Calculated risk-taking
Willingness to invest in unique items with potential for significant profit
Customer relationships matter
Building rapport with regular clients and treating newcomers with respect
Train the next generation
Actively mentoring family members and employees like Chumlee
The Mentor-Mentee Relationship: Richard Harrison and Chumlee
Among the many relationships depicted on Pawn Stars, the dynamic between Richard Harrison and Chumlee stood out for its depth and complexity. When Austin Russell (Chumlee) began working at the pawn shop as a teenager, he was far from the confident television personality viewers would come to know. Under Harrison’s tutelage, Chumlee developed both professionally and personally, transforming from an inexperienced young employee into a knowledgeable businessman and beloved television character.
What made the relationship between Harrison and Chumlee special was its genuine nature. Despite their generational differences and contrasting personalities, a mutual respect developed between them. Harrison recognized Chumlee’s potential early on, offering guidance that was sometimes stern but always rooted in a desire to see him succeed. For Chumlee, Harrison represented more than just a boss—he became a father figure whose approval and wisdom carried significant weight.
Professional Development Under Harrison’s Guidance
On a practical level, Richard Harrison’s mentorship transformed Chumlee from a novice employee into a skilled appraiser with specialized knowledge in several categories of collectibles. Through patient instruction and hands-on experience, Harrison helped Chumlee develop expertise in areas such as pinball machines, sneakers, and video games—niches that allowed him to make valuable contributions to the pawn shop’s operations.
This professional development was evident to Pawn Stars viewers, who witnessed Chumlee’s growing confidence and competence as the series progressed. What began as comedic moments highlighting Chumlee’s mistakes gradually evolved into showcases of his specialized knowledge, demonstrating the effectiveness of Harrison’s mentorship approach.
The Final Chapter: Richard Harrison’s Passing
The announcement of Richard Harrison’s death on August 27, 2018, sent shockwaves through the Pawn Stars community. At 77 years old, Harrison had battled Parkinson’s disease for several years, though he had largely kept his health struggles private. His passing marked not only the end of a remarkable life but also a pivotal moment for the television series that had brought him fame in his later years.
The Harrison family handled the announcement with characteristic dignity, releasing a statement that highlighted Richard’s impact as both a businessman and family man. Rick Harrison, Richard’s son and co-star, shared heartfelt tributes on social media, providing a glimpse into the deep personal loss experienced behind the public persona.
Chumlee’s Immediate Response to the Loss
For Chumlee, the death of Richard Harrison represented the loss of a crucial guiding figure in his life. His initial public response came through social media, where he posted a simple but poignant tribute expressing how Harrison had treated him like family and taught him valuable lessons that he would carry throughout his life. Behind this public statement lay a deeper process of grief and adjustment, with Chumlee taking time away from the spotlight to process his emotions and reflect on Harrison’s influence in his life.
The Show Must Go On: Pawn Stars After Richard Harrison
The production team behind Pawn Stars faced a significant challenge following Richard Harrison’s death: how to continue the series without one of its foundational characters while respectfully honoring his contribution. The solution emerged as a balance between acknowledgment and adaptation, with the show dedicating special episodes to Harrison’s memory while gradually adjusting to a new dynamic among the remaining cast members.
As Pawn Stars continued production, several adjustments helped address the absence of Richard Harrison. The show placed increased emphasis on Rick Harrison, Big Hoss (Corey Harrison), and Chumlee, allowing each character more screen time to showcase their unique personalities and expertise. Additionally, the series began featuring more guest experts and appraisers, adding new dimensions to the educational component that had always been central to the show’s appeal.
Chumlee’s Evolution After Harrison’s Passing
The years following Richard Harrison’s death revealed the profound impact of his mentorship on Chumlee’s evolution as both a businessman and television personality. Rather than faltering without his mentor’s guidance, Chumlee demonstrated remarkable growth, applying the lessons he had learned from Harrison to new challenges and opportunities.
Inspired by Richard Harrison’s entrepreneurial spirit, Chumlee expanded his business interests beyond his role at the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop. He launched a candy shop called “Chumlee’s Candy on the Boulevard” near the pawn shop, demonstrating the business acumen he had developed under Harrison’s guidance. This venture showcased his ability to leverage his television fame while creating a distinct business identity separate from Pawn Stars.
Beyond professional developments, Chumlee underwent significant personal growth following Harrison’s passing. Friends and colleagues noted positive changes in his approach to health, relationships, and long-term planning—areas where Harrison had often offered guidance during their time together.
The Gold & Silver Pawn Shop as a Living Legacy
Today, the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop stands as a physical embodiment of Richard Harrison’s legacy. While the business has naturally evolved since his passing, his influence remains evident in its operations, culture, and public image. The shop has become more than just a business or television set—it now functions as a destination where fans can connect with the memory of a person who touched their lives through the screen.
The popularity of Pawn Stars transformed the once-modest pawn shop into a major Las Vegas tourist attraction, a development that accelerated even after Richard Harrison’s passing. Today, hundreds of visitors daily come to see the famous location, take photos, purchase merchandise, and occasionally conduct actual pawn transactions.
Richard Harrison’s Impact on Reality Television
When assessing Richard Harrison’s broader cultural impact, his contribution to the evolution of reality TV cannot be overlooked. As one of the stars of Pawn Stars, he helped pioneer a new approach to the genre—one that balanced entertainment with education and authentic business operations with compelling personal dynamics.
Harrison demonstrated that reality television personalities could be successful without manufacturing drama or compromising their authentic selves. His straightforward, sometimes gruff demeanor contrasted with the often exaggerated characters typical of reality TV at the time. This authenticity connected with viewers who appreciated seeing real expertise and genuine family relationships depicted on screen.
Creating the History-Reality Hybrid Genre
Pawn Stars with Richard Harrison at its core helped establish a new sub-genre of reality television that blended historical education with business operations and family dynamics. This approach proved enormously successful, leading the History Channel and competing networks to develop similar programs focused on antiques, collectibles, and historical artifacts.
Preserving the Memory: Tributes and Memorials
Following Richard Harrison’s passing, numerous tributes emerged to honor his memory and contribution. The History Channel produced special retrospective episodes highlighting memorable moments from his time on Pawn Stars, allowing fans to revisit his wisdom, humor, and unique personality.
The Harrison family established several charitable initiatives to honor Richard’s memory and extend his legacy beyond the television screen. These efforts focused primarily on veterans’ causes, reflecting Harrison’s proud service in the U.S. Navy and his lifelong support for military personnel.
Looking to the Future: The Enduring Legacy of Richard Harrison
As years pass since Richard Harrison’s death, his influence continues to shape the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop, Pawn Stars as a television program, and the individuals who worked alongside him. His business philosophy, characterized by knowledge, integrity, and calculated risk-taking, remains embedded in the operation’s DNA, guiding decisions and approaches even in his absence.
For Chumlee, whose personal and professional development was so significantly influenced by Harrison, the legacy lives on through daily application of the lessons learned under his mentorship. The confidence, expertise, and business sense Chumlee now demonstrates serve as living testimony to Harrison’s effectiveness as a teacher and role model—an impact that extends far beyond the confines of reality television.
Richard Harrison’s Place in Television History
As television historians assess the evolution of reality programming in the early 21st century, Richard Harrison’s contribution stands out for its authenticity, educational value, and cultural impact. By helping create a show that successfully blended entertainment with information, family dynamics with business operations, and character development with historical education, Harrison participated in redefining what reality television could accomplish.
His legacy extends beyond the specific content of Pawn Stars to influence the broader approach to factual entertainment programming. The success of the history-reality hybrid genre he helped pioneer demonstrated that television could simultaneously entertain, educate, and authentically represent real-world operations—a formula that continues to influence programming decisions across networks worldwide.
FAQs
How did Richard Harrison’s death affect Chumlee specifically?
Richard Harrison’s passing deeply impacted Chumlee, who viewed him as both a mentor and father figure. After the loss, Chumlee applied Harrison’s business lessons by expanding his entrepreneurial ventures and adopting a more disciplined approach to his personal and professional life.
What was Richard Harrison’s role in making Pawn Stars successful?
Harrison brought historical knowledge, decades of business experience, and a distinctive personality that balanced the cast dynamics. His insistence on educational content within the entertainment format established the knowledge-based approach that distinguished Pawn Stars from other reality shows.
Did the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop change after Richard Harrison’s death?
Following Harrison’s passing, the shop redistributed his responsibilities among family members while preserving his office as a tribute. The location became an even stronger tourist destination, with management adding thoughtful memorials throughout the space while maintaining Harrison’s core business principles.
What health issues did Richard Harrison face before his death?
Richard Harrison battled Parkinson’s disease in his final years, a progressive nervous system disorder affecting movement. The Harrison family maintained relative privacy regarding his health struggles, though they confirmed this was the primary condition that led to his passing.
How does Richard Harrison’s legacy continue today?
Harrison’s legacy continues through Pawn Stars reruns, special tribute episodes, and the physical memorials at the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop. His business philosophy still guides shop operations, while charitable initiatives in his name support veterans’ causes, extending his impact beyond entertainment.
Conclusion: The Man Behind the Character
Richard Harrison’s journey from Navy veteran to successful businessman to television personality represents a uniquely American story of reinvention and adaptation. While millions came to know him as the “Old Man” on Pawn Stars, those who worked alongside him experienced the depth of character that existed beyond the television persona. His legacy encompasses not only the entertainment he provided but also the values he demonstrated and the knowledge he shared throughout his time in the public eye.
For Chumlee and others who benefited directly from Harrison’s mentorship, the most meaningful aspects of his legacy are the personal lessons and guidance that shaped their lives and careers. Beyond the catchphrases and memorable television moments lies the real impact of a man who took his responsibilities seriously—whether those responsibilities involved running a business, preserving historical knowledge, or developing the potential of those around him.
