The World Famous Gold & Silver Pawn Shop on the bustling streets of Las Vegas has been the backdrop for over two decades of televised history, quirky appraisals, and family antics on the hit reality series Pawn Stars. For millions of fans worldwide, the faces of Rick Harrison, his son Corey “Big Hoss” Harrison, and their longtime friend Austin “Chumlee” Russell, alongside the late family patriarch Richard “The Old Man” Harrison, have become a staple of reality television. However, the bright lights of fame and the thrill of the deal have often obscured a deeper, far more somber reality: the Harrison family has faced a profound, dual tragedy in recent years that underscores the fragility of life, even for those under the constant gaze of television cameras.

As of 2025, the legacy of the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop is carried on by Rick, Corey, and Chumlee, but they do so in the shadow of two irreplaceable losses that have reshaped the family dynamic forever. The first great sorrow was the passing of the co-founder and family patriarch, Richard “The Old Man” Harrison, in 2018. A more recent, and perhaps more shocking, tragedy struck the family in January 2024 with the sudden, untimely death of Rick’s son and Corey’s brother, Adam Harrison. These two events, separated by nearly six years, represent a heartbreaking chapter in the family’s history, turning their televised life into a testament to resilience and enduring love.

Richard “The Old Man” Harrison: The Unsinkable Founder

Richard Benjamin Harrison Jr., affectionately known by his gruff, yet endearing nickname “The Old Man,” was the bedrock upon which the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop was built. His story was one of unyielding determination. After a distinguished 20-year career in the U.S. Navy, Harrison retired and, following a failed real estate venture that cost him a significant fortune, he decided to move his family from San Diego to Las Vegas in 1981.

In 1989, Richard and his son Rick opened the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop. What began as a modest business quickly grew into one of the city’s most reputable pawn establishments. When the History Channel launched Pawn Stars in 2009, Richard’s persona—a man of few words, sharp wit, and an encyclopedic knowledge of military and historical items—made him an instant, beloved star. He was the grumpy, yet secretly loving, voice of absolute reason who would always anchor the show in reality, often to the humorous chagrin of his son and grandson.

In 2017, Richard, after decades of dedication, quietly retired from the shop. The official news of his passing came on June 25, 2018. He was 77 years old. The cause of death was a long and difficult battle with Parkinson’s disease.

Rick Harrison shared the news with a deeply personal and emotional post, writing, “Today I lost a friend, a father, a teacher and so much more. The Old Man lost his long battle with Parkinson’s this morning. Love you Dad. See you on the other side.” The public outpouring of grief was immense, reflecting the deep connection fans felt with the seemingly immovable patriarch of the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop. His passing marked the end of an era for the show, and though his spirit remains a fixture in the pawn shop’s lore, his absence is an ever-present reminder of the show’s origins and the inevitable march of time.

Adam Harrison: A Private Life, A Public Tragedy

While the entire family grieved the loss of Richard, life at the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop, and the show, continued. However, the Harrison family was not yet spared from sorrow. In early 2024, an altogether different and utterly shocking tragedy struck the family with the death of Rick Harrison’s middle son, Adam Harrison, at the age of 39.

Unlike his grandfather, father, and brother Corey, Adam was not a regular cast member on Pawn Stars. He mostly kept a private life away from the glare of reality television, though he was an integral part of the larger Harrison family unit. His death on January 19, 2024, in Las Vegas, was an accidental overdose. The official cause of death was later confirmed as fentanyl and methamphetamine toxicity.

The news was devastating, particularly to Rick Harrison, who spoke out publicly about the fentanyl crisis. Rick’s statement was not just a father’s expression of grief, but a desperate plea for action, highlighting the national emergency of drug abuse. “I can confirm Adam died from a fentanyl overdose,” Rick said to the press. “The fentanyl crisis in this country must be taken more seriously. It seems it is just flowing over the borders and nothing is being done about it. We must do better.”

Adam’s death introduced a layer of raw, contemporary pain to the family’s narrative, a profound and immediate loss in the prime of his life. He was survived by his son, Colton, with an education fund set up to honor his memory. While the show made the decision not to focus on Adam’s passing, the private suffering of Rick, Corey, and the entire family remains a crucial part of their recent history. Adam’s passing is a tragic reminder that the struggles and calamities of the real world do not pause for the convenience of a television schedule.

The Remaining Stars: A Look Ahead in 2025

Despite the monumental personal setbacks, the World Famous Gold & Silver Pawn Shop and the Pawn Stars television franchise have demonstrated remarkable resilience. As of 2025, the show, and its spin-offs like Pawn Stars Do America, continue to air, a testament to the enduring appeal of the team and their business.

Rick Harrison remains the steadfast face of the business and the heart of the show. He has channeled his grief into advocacy, continuing his work while grappling with the private pain of losing both his father and a son. His drive to keep the business thriving is a tribute to the legacy Richard started.

Corey “Big Hoss” Harrison has stepped up significantly over the years, not just within the shop, but as a pillar for his father and the show. Having lost his grandfather and then his own brother, Corey carries a heavy emotional weight, yet continues to be an active, often exasperated, but ultimately committed part of the Gold & Silver team.

Austin “Chumlee” Russell, the lovable wildcard of the group, has also faced his own set of challenges over the years, including well-documented legal issues and personal struggles with his health and weight. Having undergone bariatric surgery, Chumlee has successfully maintained a significant weight loss, a positive personal triumph that has improved his quality of life and mobility. Following his 2016 legal troubles, he fulfilled the terms of his probation and has successfully focused on his business ventures, including his candy shop, and his passion for collecting. Chumlee continues to be a main cast member, adding his signature comedic relief and unpredictable deal-making to the show’s dynamic.

The Gold & Silver Pawn Shop, like the Harrison family itself, stands as a symbol of endurance. The life and death of Richard “The Old Man” Harrison represent a hard-earned, full life, concluded by a long illness. The death of Adam Harrison is a cautionary tale, a moment of stark vulnerability against a backdrop of national crisis. Together, these two losses define a period of profound change and sorrow for the Harrison family, yet their choice to continue sharing their lives and their work is perhaps the greatest testament to the enduring human spirit. Fans of Pawn Stars tune in for the treasures, but they stay for the deeply human story of a family that continues to stand strong, united by a love that is now both on-screen and etched in memory.