The Hidden Legacy: What Chumlee Truly Inherited from the Old Man of Pawn Stars!

Imagine a world where a simple pawn shop became a global sensation, transforming ordinary people into household names.

Richard Harrison, affectionately known as the Old Man, built that world.

But what did his long shadow truly leave for Austin Russell, better known as Chumlee, who was like family but not by blood?

The answer might surprise you, as it delves far beyond money and into the very fabric of Chumlee’s life and fame.

 

 

Richard Harrison opened his first pawn shop back in 1981, starting with a modest 300-square-foot location on Las Vegas Boulevard.

He had a big dream and worked tirelessly every day to make it happen.

Without Richard’s initial vision and perseverance, the entire business would not exist, nor would Chumlee have had the opportunity to be part of it.

The pawn shop didn’t achieve success overnight; Richard and his son Rick faced numerous challenges.

After five years in their small shop, they moved to a larger building on Fremont Street in 1986.

Just a year later, in 1987, Richard obtained a special license to buy and sell secondhand goods.

However, their lease ran out in 1988, forcing them to make a bold decision: to relocate once again, this time to the biggest pawn shop in Las Vegas, just two miles from the famous Strip.

This is the shop we all know today.

The detailed history of the shop’s moves and license struggles highlights how Richard and Rick overcame obstacles and adapted to changes over time.

Their persistence meant that what Chumlee received wasn’t just a workplace but an example of how to run a business with strength and smart planning.

Chumlee’s education in business began long before he officially joined the pawn shop.

He grew up alongside the Harrison family, becoming best friends with Corey Harrison, Richard’s grandson.

This friendship was so strong that Chumlee was considered like a son to Rick.

He was always around the Gold and Silver Pawn Shop, absorbing the environment and learning the ropes without even realizing it.

 

 

When Chumlee turned 21 in 2003, he officially started working at the shop.

His daily responsibilities included working behind the counter, testing items that people brought in, and managing inventory.

Richard played a significant role in Chumlee’s development, treating him like family and imparting valuable life lessons.

Chumlee himself often remarked that he could always count on Richard to either set him straight or make him laugh.

The idea for a TV show about the Gold and Silver Pawn Shop was first pitched by Rick Harrison for four years without success.

Then, in 2008, Leftfield Pictures recognized the potential and wanted to create a reality show about a Las Vegas pawn shop.

The History Channel picked it up, transforming the concept to include experts who would appraise items and showcase the personalities of the staff.

The show, initially called “Pawning History,” premiered in July 2009 and quickly became a massive hit.

Within ten weeks, it was the highest-rated show on the History Channel and the second most-watched reality show on TV, only behind “Jersey Shore.

” While Rick pitched the show, Richard’s involvement and personality were crucial in establishing the show’s authentic family feel.

Richard later claimed that getting the TV show was the best idea he ever had.

Before “Pawn Stars,” Chumlee was just a regular guy working at the pawn shop.

However, the show changed everything.

His quirky personality, humor, and laid-back style made him a fan favorite, leading to a surge in merchandise sales that surpassed those of other cast members.

Chumlee even started his own company to sell novelty items, demonstrating his ability to leverage his fame effectively.

With fame came new challenges.

 

 

The Gold and Silver Pawn Shop became a tourist hotspot, attracting thousands of visitors daily.

This influx made it difficult for Chumlee, Rick, and Corey to work the front counter, as fans would crowd them for pictures.

Legal issues arose due to privacy laws, prompting the crew to move to office duties away from the shop floor.

Chumlee also required personal assistance to manage the overwhelming demands of fame.

Despite the pressures, Chumlee made mistakes at the shop, but Richard’s forgiving nature shone through.

One incident involved Chumlee accidentally knocking over an expensive upright bass worth $20,000.

Instead of reprimanding him, Richard chose to see the potential in Chumlee and offered him a second chance, teaching him the value of forgiveness and resilience.

Another memorable moment involved Chumlee firing a blunderbuss, an old gun the shop had for display.

When he shot it, it caused a minor burn on Cory’s arm, leaving Chumlee with a scar.

This experience, while painful, was a lesson in learning through doing and demonstrated the bond of trust between Richard and Chumlee.

Chumlee also inherited valuable negotiation skills from Richard, which he applied when purchasing a Maserati for $85,000, saving $15,000 off the original price.

This practical knowledge exemplified how Richard’s business acumen was passed down, enabling Chumlee to make informed financial decisions.

Interestingly, Chumlee and his family faced unexpected challenges due to their fame.

They were essentially banned from garage sales across the country, as people recognized them and assumed they would try to get items for too cheap.

This phenomenon underscored the extensive reach of the fame Richard helped create, affecting Chumlee’s everyday life in surprising ways.

 

 

The show also provided Chumlee with incredible experiences, such as meeting rock star Jon Bon Jovi, who invited the cast to his concert and backstage.

Such opportunities were direct results of the show’s success and Richard’s foundational work in building the business.

Chumlee’s early life was not without its struggles.

Growing up in Henderson, Nevada, he faced bullying due to his weight but found solace in friendships and hobbies like video games and comic books.

These experiences shaped him and laid the groundwork for his eventual connection to the pawn shop and the Harrison family.

Chumlee faced legal troubles in March 2016 when his home was searched as part of an investigation, leading to the discovery of drugs and unregistered firearms.

He was arrested but later struck a plea deal, avoiding jail time.

This period of his life showcased a different side of Chumlee, as he grappled with personal weaknesses and sought to improve himself.

Even during this tumultuous time, the connections and platform provided by the show remained significant in Chumlee’s journey.

After addressing his legal issues, he focused on his health, undergoing gastric sleeve surgery in February 2018, which helped him shed significant weight.

His commitment to a healthier lifestyle and sobriety reflected a deeper maturity that stemmed from the life lessons he learned from Richard.

Chumlee continued to build on his entrepreneurial spirit by opening a candy shop, Chumley’s Candy on the Boulevard, across from the Gold and Silver Pawn Shop in May 2017.

The shop offered a variety of treats, and Chumlee even planned to create his own branded candies.

His success in merchandise sales further demonstrated his ability to capitalize on his public image.

 

 

Although Richard Harrison passed away in 2018 after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease, his impact on Chumlee remains profound.

While Chumlee was not directly mentioned in Richard’s will, he always regarded Richard as family.

He expressed his gratitude for the lessons and support Richard provided throughout his life, emphasizing that the most important inheritance was not financial but rather the mentorship and emotional guidance he received.

Chumlee’s journey from childhood friend to beloved TV star and entrepreneur is deeply intertwined with Richard Harrison’s legacy.

While Richard may not have left Chumlee a direct inheritance of money or property, he gifted him invaluable life lessons, a foundation in business, and a platform for fame.

These true treasures shaped Chumlee’s life and success in ways that money never could, demonstrating the profound impact of mentorship and familial bonds.