Let’s be real for a second. Most reality shows have the shelf life of a carton of milk left in a hot Vegas parking lot. They show up, scream for three seasons, and vanish into the "Where Are They Now?" abyss of basic cable. But the cast on Pawn Stars is different. Since 2009, these guys have been part of the furniture in living rooms across the globe. You’ve seen the memes. You’ve seen Rick’s laugh. You’ve seen the endless "I gotta call a buddy of mine" moments. But behind the 24-hour neon glow of the World Famous Gold & Silver Pawn Shop, the actual lineup has changed more than you might realize—and the reasons aren't always what you see on the edited history channel clips.
Rick Harrison is the face of the operation. He's the guy who somehow knows the specific gravity of a 17th-century Spanish galleon coin but also knows exactly how much a broken 1980s Casio watch is worth. It’s not just a TV persona. Rick grew up in this business. He started the shop with his father back in the late 80s when Las Vegas was a very different, much seedier place. He’s the bridge between the old-school grit of the pawn industry and the polished, multi-million dollar media empire the brand has become.
Then there’s Corey "Big Hoss" Harrison. If you haven't watched in a few years, you’d barely recognize him. He’s leaned out, matured, and taken over a massive chunk of the daily operations. Watching him go from the "kid" who gets yelled at to the guy actually running the floor is one of the few genuine character arcs you’ll find in reality television.
But we have to talk about the person who isn't there anymore.
The void left by The Old Man
Richard Benjamin Harrison, known universally as "The Old Man," was the soul of the shop. He was the grumpy, Navy veteran counterbalance to the younger guys' antics. When he passed away in June 2018 at the age of 77, fans genuinely felt it. It wasn't just a change in the cast on Pawn Stars; it was a shift in the show's DNA. He was the one who kept Rick in check. Without him, the dynamic changed. It became less about the family friction and more about the sheer scale of the items coming through the door.
Honestly, the show felt a bit hollow for a minute there. People tuned in for the "grumpy old man" trope because it felt authentic. He really was that guy who didn't want to spend a dime on a "piece of junk" that Rick thought was historical gold. His absence meant Corey had to step up into that more skeptical, authoritative role, which changed how the team interacts during those high-stakes negotiations.
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Austin "Chumlee" Russell: More than just a punchline
If Rick is the brain and The Old Man was the soul, Chumlee is the... well, he's the heart. Or maybe just the guy who keeps things from getting too serious. Austin Russell has been a childhood friend of Corey’s forever. He wasn't just some actor they hired for comic relief. He started working at the shop long before the cameras showed up.
There was a time when it looked like Chumlee might not be part of the cast on Pawn Stars anymore. In 2016, he ran into some serious legal trouble involving weapons and drug charges. The internet was convinced he was done. But, in a rare move for reality TV, the show stood by him. He took a plea deal, stayed out of jail, and basically did a total 180 on his life. He lost a ton of weight, opened a candy shop across the street (Chumlee’s Candy), and leaned into his role as the lovable underdog.
He’s smarter than the "village idiot" character the show sometimes portrays him as. If you watch closely, his knowledge of sneakers, vintage toys, and pinball machines is actually top-tier. He’s the resident expert on pop culture items that Rick often scoffs at.
The "Buddies" who make the show work
The core four aren't the only ones who matter. The recurring experts—the "buddies"—are basically extended cast members at this point.
- Mark Hall-Patton: The "Beard of Knowledge." He’s the administrator of the Clark County Museum system. He never gives a value; he just tells you if it’s real. Seeing him walk through the door is a signal to the audience that things are about to get academic.
- Rick Dale: The restoration guy. He eventually got his own spin-off, American Restoration. He’s the one who can take a rusted-out soda machine and make it look like it just rolled off the factory floor in 1954.
- Sean Rich: The arms and armor expert. If it shoots, stabs, or explodes, Sean is the guy. His presence usually means the shop is about to drop five figures on a flintlock pistol.
- Steve Johnston: The guy from Rogue Toys. He’s become the go-to for anything involving Star Wars, GI Joe, or rare collectibles.
The interaction between the main cast on Pawn Stars and these experts is where the real "History" in History Channel comes from. It’s a formula that works. Rick pretends he knows a bit, the expert comes in and proves he knows way more, and then the negotiation starts. It’s predictable, sure, but it’s comforting. It’s the television equivalent of a warm blanket and a plate of nachos.
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Why the show survived when others failed
Most people think the show is scripted. Well, "produced" is a better word. Do people really just walk in with a 15th-century samurai sword while the cameras happen to be rolling? Usually, no. The items are vetted beforehand. The "customers" are often scheduled. But the negotiations? Those are mostly real. Rick isn't going to overpay for something just for a script. He’s a businessman first.
The longevity of the cast on Pawn Stars comes down to chemistry. You can’t fake the history between Rick, Corey, and Chumlee. They’ve spent decades in each other's pockets. That comfort allows them to needle each other in a way that feels like actual family—not just coworkers.
Also, the shop itself is a character. Located at 713 S. Las Vegas Blvd, it’s a tourist mecca now. On a busy day, thousands of people cycle through there. You won't always see Rick or Corey behind the counter—they have a business to run and filming schedules to keep—but the vibe of the shop remains the anchor for the entire series.
The business beyond the screen
Being part of the cast on Pawn Stars isn't just a TV gig; it’s a massive branding exercise. Rick has written books, Corey has invested in bars and clubs, and Chumlee has his retail ventures. They’ve turned a dusty pawn shop into a global landmark.
There’s a misconception that they’ve "sold out." But if you talk to anyone in the Vegas pawn industry, they’ll tell you that the Harrisons basically saved the reputation of the business. Before the show, pawn shops were seen as places of desperation. Now? They’re seen as treasure troves. Rick’s obsession with "the story" behind an item changed the way people look at their own junk.
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What’s next for the crew?
As of 2026, the show is still chugging along. They’ve experimented with different formats, like Pawn Stars Do America, where the cast hits the road to find items in different cities. This was a smart move. It kept the core dynamic of the cast on Pawn Stars but gave them a fresh backdrop. It got them out of the shop and back into the "hunt," which is where the show really shines.
Corey is taking on more responsibility. Rick is doing more of the "elder statesman" bit. Chumlee remains the wildcard. They’ve navigated deaths, lawsuits, divorces, and the crushing weight of fame, yet they’re still there.
If you’re looking to get into the world of high-stakes collectibles or just want to understand the market better, watching the show with a critical eye is actually a decent education. You learn about margins. You learn about the "cool factor" versus the "resale factor." And you learn that just because something is old, it doesn't mean it’s worth a fortune.
How to use "Pawn Stars" logic in your own life
If you're heading to a flea market or trying to sell something on eBay, take a page out of Rick Harrison's book.
- Research the "Sold" listings, not the "Asking" prices. Just because someone is asking $5,000 for a Beanie Baby doesn't mean it’s worth that. Check what people actually paid.
- Condition is everything. A small tear in a vintage poster can drop the price by 70%. Be honest with yourself about the state of your items.
- Every item has a story, but not every story adds value. Your grandfather’s watch might be special to you, but unless he was a famous general or a movie star, the market only cares about the brand and the metal.
- Know when to walk away. The best deal is the one you don't lose money on. If the "expert" (even if that expert is just a Google search) says it’s a fake, believe them.
Check out the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop’s official site if you’re ever in Vegas. You might not get on TV, but you’ll see the machine in action. If you have an item you think is worth the big bucks, they actually have an online submission form. Just don't be offended if Rick tells you he’s got to make a profit and offers you half of what you think it’s worth. That’s just business.
Actionable Insight: If you're serious about identifying rare items, start following the specific experts featured on the show on social media. People like Mark Hall-Patton or Steve Johnston often share deep-dive threads on how to spot fakes that are far more detailed than what makes it into the final 22-minute TV edit.