Walking into the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop in Las Vegas feels different these days. If you’ve watched the show since it first aired in 2009, you know the vibe shifted. It wasn’t just about the cool muskets or the rare coins anymore. It became about the family. But fans keep asking: who died from Pawn Stars? The reality is that the show has been on the air for over fifteen years, and in that time, the Harrison family and the extended cast have dealt with some pretty heavy, public losses.
It’s not just a headline. For Rick, Corey, and even Chumlee, these weren't just "co-stars." They were family. Losing them changed the dynamic of the shop forever. Honestly, the show feels a bit quieter now, even with the crowds of tourists still lining up outside on Las Vegas Boulevard.
The Passing of the Patriarch: Richard "The Old Man" Harrison
If you’re wondering who died from Pawn Stars, the biggest name—the anchor of the whole operation—was Richard Benjamin Harrison. Most of us knew him simply as "The Old Man." He was the guy in the black suit, the fedora, and the grumpy-yet-lovable attitude that kept everyone else in check.
He died on June 25, 2018. He was 77.
The cause was Parkinson’s disease. He’d been battling it for a while, though he kept it mostly private. Rick Harrison broke the news on Instagram, and honestly, the tribute was heartbreaking. Rick called him a "hero" and a "great father." The Old Man was a Navy veteran, and that disciplined, no-nonsense attitude was exactly why the shop worked. He started the business with Rick back in 1989 with just a few thousand bucks. Think about that. From a tiny shop to a global empire.
What’s wild is that even after he passed, his presence stuck around. They kept his chair. They kept his office mostly the same. He didn't just leave a chair empty; he left a hole in the show's soul. Fans still visit the shop just to see his tribute wall. It’s a reminder that even in a world of "fast TV," some people are irreplaceable.
The Tragedy of Adam Harrison: A Family in Mourning
This one hit differently. In January 2024, the Harrison family faced a nightmare that no parent should ever have to deal with. Adam Harrison, one of Rick’s sons, passed away.
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He wasn't a series regular. Unlike Corey, Adam didn’t spend his life in front of the cameras. He worked at the shop back in the day, but he mostly stayed out of the limelight. Because he wasn't on every episode, some casual viewers didn't realize the connection until the news broke. He was only 39 years old.
The cause? A fentanyl overdose.
Rick Harrison didn't mince words. He told TMZ, "The fentanyl crisis in this country must be taken more seriously." It was a blunt, raw statement from a man who usually keeps his poker face on for the cameras. It humanized the family in a way that fame never could. It reminded everyone that behind the multimillion-dollar deals and the rare artifacts, they’re just people dealing with the same tragedies affecting thousands of other American families.
People often get confused when looking up who died from Pawn Stars because they see the name Harrison and assume it’s one of the main three. Adam’s death was a private tragedy that became public, and it’s a grim reminder of the opioid epidemic's reach.
The Loss of "The Beard": Remembering Jimmy Tuino
Then there are the people who weren't Harrisons but felt like they belonged. Jimmy Tuino, a longtime cameraman and producer for the show, also passed away. You might not have seen his face in every shot, but he was the glue behind the scenes.
When you lose a crew member who has been there since the early seasons, the energy on set shifts. These guys spend 12 hours a day together in a hot, cramped shop in the middle of the desert. They become a tribe. Jimmy was part of that tribe. His death didn't make as many "breaking news" alerts as the Old Man, but for the cast, it was just as real.
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Why People Keep Asking Who Died From Pawn Stars
The internet has a weird way of keeping rumors alive. You've probably seen those clickbait ads with a picture of Chumlee and a headline that says "You Won't Believe What Happened."
Let’s set the record straight: Chumlee is alive. There have been dozens of death hoaxes involving Austin "Chumlee" Russell. Most of them started on Facebook or through sketchy "news" sites trying to get clicks. He’s had his share of legal troubles and health scares—including a massive weight loss journey—but he is very much still with us. He’s still at the shop, still filming, and still doing his thing.
The same goes for Rick and Corey. They are healthy and still running the business. The reason the question "who died" keeps trending is partly because of the Old Man's enduring legacy and partly because the show has such a massive catalog of reruns. You can flip on the TV and see the Old Man haggling over a 1960s Chevy, and for a second, you forget he's been gone for years. It’s the "frozen in time" effect of reality TV.
The Legacy Left Behind at Gold & Silver Pawn
When someone dies in a family business, the business has to evolve or die. Rick Harrison chose to evolve. He’s leaned into the history of the shop even more.
- The Memorials: The shop is now part museum. You can see the Old Man's favorite items that aren't for sale.
- The Foundation: The family has used their platform to support Parkinson's research and awareness regarding the fentanyl crisis.
- The Show’s Tone: If you watch the newer seasons (like Pawn Stars Do America), there’s a sense of nostalgia. They know they’re the elder statesmen of reality TV now.
The Old Man once said, "The easy way is always mined." He believed in hard work and grit. His death didn't stop the shop, but it changed the moral compass of the show. Rick has stepped into that patriarch role, though he does it with a bit more of a "Vegas businessman" flair than his father's "Navy veteran" gruffness.
Navigating the Grief in the Public Eye
It's sorta crazy when you think about it. Most people get to grieve in private. When Adam died, Rick had to release a statement to global news outlets within hours. When the Old Man died, the shop became a site for a public wake.
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That's the price of fame, I guess. But the Harrisons have been surprisingly transparent. They don't pretend everything is fine. They talk about the loss. They acknowledge that the shop feels different. This honesty is probably why fans stay so loyal. We’ve watched Corey grow from a kid into a man, and we’ve watched Rick lose his father and his son.
What to Know if You Visit the Shop Today
If you're heading to Vegas and want to pay your respects, here’s how it actually works. You don't just walk in and see the whole cast hanging out. Usually, they're filming in a back area or they're off-site.
- The Old Man's Tribute: There is a life-sized bronze statue of Richard Harrison. It’s a popular spot for photos. It captures him perfectly—suit, hat, and that look that says you're offering too much for that fake Rolex.
- The Staff: Many of the "experts" you see on the show, like Mark Hall-Patton (the Beard of Knowledge), are still around and active in the Vegas museum scene.
- The Vibe: It’s busy. Expect lines. But inside, it’s still a working pawn shop. You can buy a $10 souvenir or a $50,000 piece of history.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Collectors
If you’re looking to engage with the show or the legacy of those who have passed, don't just settle for the reruns.
Verify the News: Before you believe a headline about a cast member, check their official social media. Rick and Chumlee are very active on Instagram. If something happens, they’ll be the first to say it.
Support the Causes: If you want to honor the Old Man or Adam, consider looking into Parkinson’s research or addiction recovery programs. The family often highlights these during charity events in Las Vegas.
Visit the History: If you're in Nevada, the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop is at 713 S Las Vegas Blvd. It's free to enter. Seeing the Old Man’s desk in person gives you a much better perspective on the man than a 22-minute episode ever could.
The story of who died from Pawn Stars isn't just a list of names. It’s a story about a family business that grew too big for its building but stayed small enough to feel the pain of every loss. The show continues, the deals keep happening, and the "Old Man" still watches over the floor—even if it's just from a bronze statue and the memories of millions of fans.