If you spent any time flipping through cable channels over the last fifteen years, you knew the scowl. It was legendary. Richard Benjamin Harrison, better known to millions of fans as "The Old Man," was the grouchy, coffee-sipping, wisdom-dropping patriarch of the World Famous Gold & Silver Pawn Shop in Las Vegas. He was the guy who didn't care about your feelings, only the profit margin and whether the stove in the breakroom was left on. But for a lot of fans who only catch the show in reruns or late-night marathons, the timeline gets a bit blurry. People are still asking: when did the old man from pawn stars die? He passed away on June 25, 2018.
He was 77. It wasn't a sudden, shocking accident, but rather a long, quiet battle with Parkinson's disease. Rick Harrison, his son and the face of the franchise, was the one who broke the news to the world. He posted a heartfelt tribute on Instagram, noting that his father was surrounded by family during his final moments. It felt like the end of an era for reality TV, mostly because Richard wasn't a "character" in the way we usually think of them. He was just a guy who had seen everything and wasn't impressed by much.
The Morning the World Found Out
Honestly, the news hit different than your average celebrity passing. Usually, when a reality star dies, there's a circus. With Richard Harrison, it was just... somber. Rick’s statement basically summed it up: "He was my hero and I was fortunate to get a very cool ‘Old Man’ as my dad."
The shop stayed open, but the vibe changed instantly. Fans started showing up not just to haggle over old Rolexes or broken guitars, but to leave flowers. There was this little memorial set up inside the shop near his chair. If you've ever been to that shop on Las Vegas Blvd, you know it's smaller than it looks on TV. It felt cramped and heavy that week.
His death wasn't just a loss for his family; it was a pivot point for the History Channel. Pawn Stars had been on the air since 2009. By 2018, the show was a global juggernaut, translated into dozens of languages. Richard was the anchor. While Rick was the businessman, Corey was the heir, and Chumlee was the comic relief, the Old Man was the reality check. He represented a generation that didn't do "participation trophies."
Why the Old Man Still Matters to Fans
People still search for his passing because he’s still "alive" in syndication. You can turn on the TV right now and see him complaining about a 1960s lunchbox. It creates this weird time-warp effect.
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He lived a massive life before the cameras ever showed up. Born in Virginia, he spent 20 years in the Navy. That’s where the discipline came from. That’s why he was always in a suit and tie, even in the blistering 110-degree Vegas heat. He moved to Vegas in the early 80s after a real estate venture in North Carolina went south. He started the pawn shop with just a few thousand bucks. Think about that. He built an empire from a tiny shop in a then-gritty part of town, all after "retiring" from the military.
His Parkinson’s diagnosis was kept relatively quiet for a while. That’s very on-brand for him. He wasn't the type to want a "very special episode" about his health. He just wanted to sit in his chair, check the books, and maybe take a nap while the cameras weren't looking.
The Legal Ripple Effects
After he died, things got a little complicated behind the scenes, which is usually the case with estates of this size. One of the more surprising details that came out was about his will. Richard had three sons: Rick, Christopher, and Joseph.
In a move that felt like a plot point from a gritty drama, it was revealed that he had updated his will a year or so before his death to intentionally exclude his son Christopher. No specific reason was publicly given. It wasn't a mistake. He explicitly stated in the documents that he was providing for Rick and Joseph, but not Christopher. It reminded everyone that despite the funny banter on the show, the Harrisons were a real family with real, sometimes harsh, dynamics.
The Legacy of the Navy Man
If you’re looking for the exact "why" behind his death, it was complications from the Parkinson's. It's a degenerative disorder. It wears you down. But the legacy he left behind is more about the blue-collar work ethic he brought to the screen.
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He taught a whole generation of viewers about:
- The value of a "handshake deal" (even if he wanted it in writing).
- Why you should never pay retail for anything.
- The history behind the junk in our garages.
- How to handle fame without letting it change your wardrobe.
He didn't care about the glitz. He was probably the only person in Las Vegas who became a multi-millionaire and still looked like he was waiting for a bus to take him to a shift at the shipyard.
How the Show Handled the Loss
The History Channel aired a beautiful tribute episode called "A Treasure Remembered." It featured clips of his best moments—mostly him yelling at Chumlee or out-negotiating someone who thought they were smarter than him. It was one of the highest-rated episodes in the series' history.
But the show had to go on. Rick Harrison has often said that his dad would have been pissed if they stopped making money just because he wasn't there. That's the Navy way. Keep the ship moving. Today, the shop is a massive tourist destination, but there’s a distinct lack of that "Old Man" energy. It’s a bit more polished now. A bit more "Hollywood."
What You Should Do If You're a Fan
If you find yourself watching old episodes and wondering about the timeline, just remember that the show is filmed months, sometimes years, in advance. When the old man from pawn stars died in June 2018, there were still un-aired segments featuring him.
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If you want to pay your respects or just see the history for yourself, here is how to handle a "Pawn Stars" pilgrimage in the modern day:
- Visit the Shop Early: The Gold & Silver Pawn Shop is at 713 S Las Vegas Blvd. If you go at noon, you’ll be standing in a line that wraps around the block. Go at 9:00 AM.
- Look for the Tribute: There is still memorabilia dedicated to Richard in the shop. Take a second to look at his Navy photos. It puts the "character" into perspective.
- Check out Rick's Rollin' BBQ: It's right next door in the "Pawn Plaza." It’s a bit of a tourist trap, sure, but the food is actually decent and you can see how the family expanded the brand after the Old Man’s passing.
- Watch the "A Treasure Remembered" Special: If you can find it on streaming, it’s the best way to see the man behind the scowl. It covers his Navy years in much more detail than the standard episodes.
Richard Harrison was a reminder that you don't have to be loud or trendy to be a star. You just have to be authentic. Sometimes, being authentic means being a bit of a "curmudgeon" who knows exactly what a 1924 silver dollar is worth. He lived a full life, built a legacy with his kids, and left the world on his own terms.
If you're ever in Vegas, stop by the shop. It’s not quite the same without him sitting in that back corner, but his influence is baked into the very walls of the place. He was the foundation. Everything else was just the profit on top.
To get the most out of your Pawn Stars fandom, dive into the history of the items they buy. The show isn't really about the people; it's about the stories behind the objects. That’s what Richard loved most—the history that you could hold in your hand. Next time you're at an antique mall or a garage sale, think like the Old Man: look for the flaws, know the history, and never, ever lead with your highest offer. It’s the best way to keep his spirit alive.