Known from movies

Pawn Stars (2009-2015)
as Himself / Himself – Chumlee / Himself – ‘Chumlee’

The 2011 American Country Awards (2011)
as Himself

Resurrection
as Himself

The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (2010-2013)
as Himself / Himself – Celebrity All-Star



Chumlee is an American television personality, businessman and actor born on September 8, 1982 in Henderson, Nevada, USA. He is known for appearing on History channel’s hit show “Pawn Stars”.

Early life

Austin Lee Russell, better known as Chumlee, was born the first of three children in a middle-class family of Scottish descent. Though there is no information about his parents, his younger siblings are known to be named Terra and Sage. His physical resemblance to Chumley’s character in the series “Tennessee Tuxedo” earned him his childhood nickname “Chumlee”.

As a result of his close friendship with Corey Harrison, Chumlee spent countless hours in his childhood at his friend’s family business – The Gold and Silver Pawn Shop – steadily learning about the trade of antique objects and jewelry, even if they were only pawned goods.

Career

Pawn shop

Already familiar with the work dynamics of the corporate world, Chumlee became an associate at The Gold and Silver Pawn Shop in Las Vegas at the age of 21. Although his main occupation was testing and loading objects, his knowledge of history and passion for sneakers and video games led Chumlee to specialize in the collectibles of pop culture, valuing retail objects in these categories.

The Gold and Silver Pawn Shop was founded in 1989 by Richard Harrison and his son Rick. Although Harrison only had a capital of $5,000 to fund his business, it quickly became a local success as an increasing number of customers with valuables to pawn or sell visited the store.

Pawn Stars – TV debut

In 2008, producers Colby Gaines and Brent Montgomery visited Las Vegas, and struck by the aesthetics and eclecticism of the local pawnshops, both producers considered creating a show in one of those stores, thinking it would be successful. Looking for a suitable, established family business that was ideal for their idea, they found The Gold and Silver Pawn Shop.

For years, Rick Harrison had been trying to produce a series with his shop, so he enthusiastically accepted Gaines and Montgomery’s proposal.

In 2009, “Pawn Stars” premiered on the History Channel starring Richard “Old Man” Harrison, his son Rick, and grandson Corey, breaking the network’s ratings at the time.

While the show’s concept was appealing and the items on display captivated audiences interested in America’s history, the show was “missing something” in Chumlee’s words. In an interview with PodKats in March 2020told Russell about his beginnings on the show and also revealed what the missing factor of “Pawn Stars” was: “They (producers) were doing a short episode and we had about 12 employees at the time.

They went through everyone and said, ‘Okay, who’s going to be our fourth member?’ I didn’t watch too much TV, but I decided to watch some TV, some reality shows, and I sort of realized that what was missing was the funny part of the show, the whipping boy I called it at the time. Someone they could mock and laugh with.” Chumlee’s idea to be the comic relief of “Pawn Stars” was successful, as his popularity quickly increased and he became one of the memorable stars in the series.

The show’s reception

“Pawn Stars” has received many positive reviews over the years. In 2009 Christopher Long released Movie metropolis generously rated the show, stating. “Pawn Stars is easily the best show on the History Channel, and arguably the best show on cable.”

“Pawn Stars” became one of the most watched programs on American TV, and it has also become a tourist attraction in Las Vegas, averaging 3,000 visitors per day. The show is its network’s highest grossing, bringing in the History Channel an average of $3 million per episode. Due to its incredible success, The Gold & Silver Pawn Shop was renamed The World Famous Gold & Silver Pawn Shop.

Featuring the main cast of “Pawn Stars”, the game show “Pawnography” premiered on the History Channel in 2014. Chumlee, along with Rick and Corey Harrison, appeared as panelists on this show, in which contestants competed for cash prizes and to win historic, valuable items from The World Famous Gold & Silver Pawn Shop.

Over the years, Chumlee has made several appearances on other shows such as “Top Gear USA”, “American Restoration” and Nickelodeon’s “iCarly”.

Candy shop

In 2017, Austin Lee Russell opened his own candy store called “Chumlee’s Candy” across from Harrisons’ pawnshop on Pawn Plaza. The company operated by Chumlee and his brother Sage sells a variety of candies, including “Pawn Stars” themed candies. His candy cigarettes are its most famous product, though: ‘For nostalgic sweets, I can’t leave candy cigarettes and chewing gum cigarettes on the shelves in the summer. People come in and buy as many as fit in their hands. They want to buy a whole box, and we have boxes in the back. I can’t order enough of it.’

Private life

Legal problems

Facing allegations of sexual assault, Chumlee’s home was set up in March 2016 and xanax, marijuana, cocaine and crystal meth were found by police, along with numerous firearms, resulting in his arrest. Although assault charges were dropped due to lack of evidence, he was eventually sentenced to three years of probation after being found guilty of gun and drug charges.

In a press statement released by Chumlee, he expressed his gratitude for the support from fans: “I appreciate everyone’s patience in allowing the investigation to take its course, and I always trusted that the truth would eventually come out. It was worth seeing that I wasn’t pre-judged by our fans, and that’s been satisfying for the past two months. (…). Thanks to everyone who has supported me during this time.’

Romantic life

In 2013, Chumlee began dating Tanya Hyjazi, a Las Vegas restaurant chef. Although the relationship ended in 2013 for unknown reasons, Chumlee soon became attached again to Instagram model Olivia Rademann, to whom he proposed in May 2018 after a relationship of two years“We were friends for a year or two before we were ever a couple, and got together around the beginning of 2016.” In August 2019, the couple married in a private ceremony in Hawaii.

Interests

In addition to owning at least 200 pairs of sneakers, Chumlee’s fortune has enabled him to pursue his other passion: vintage cars. His collection includes a 1964 Impala SS, a Rolls-Royce Phantom, a Mascerati GrandTurismo, among others.

Posted by ChumLee on Thursday September 1, 2016

Net value

As of mid-2020, Austin Lee “Chumlee” Russell has a estimated net worth of $5 million, as a result of his work in “Pawn Stars”, income from his own candy store and his appearances in various TV shows.

Physical appearance

Chumlee is a man of white ethnicity. Although it is speculated that he is of Mexican and Native American descent, he has not confirmed this information. He was visibly overweight at the beginning of “Pawn Stars,” but Chumlee has recently made massive changes to his appearance. In 2018, he previously lost about 38 pounds underwent gastric sleeve surgery that yearweighing in at 230 lb (104 kg) afterwards.

Interesting facts

Among all the members of “Pawn Stars”, Chumlee’s merchandise is a bestseller. “Pawn Stars” has aired for 17 seasons and continues to be a TV success.

The key to the @CityOfLasVegas !! Now let’s see what kind of doors this opens! Does anyone want to buy it from me today @GoldSilverPawn #chumlee #pawnstars #gspawn pic.twitter.com/YRTW2bQywQ

— Austin Russell (@chumlee_) June 21, 2019

Richard Harrison, founder and co-owner of The World Famous Gold & Silver Pawn Shop, passed away on June 25, 2018, after years of battling Parkinson’s disease. In a 2018 interview with Norm!, Chumlee expressed his admiration for his late boss: “He meant everything to me. He was more or less a grandfather to me and he didn’t have to be. He came across as grumpy, but he was always there with advice and jokes with me. He has changed so many lives with his generosity. He was so nice when someone needed help. He lent someone money when their animal needed surgery. He supported abused women’.

Chumlee also shared the best advice the “Old Man” had given him: “He told me to keep my head up and focus on the good things ahead and positive things. He said, “Don’t worry about people’s opinions.” It seems pretty simple, but he was married for over 50 years and I think he taught me how to be a good husband.”

General information

First and last name	Chumlee
Net value	$5 million, $5 million, $25,000
Salary	$25,000
Date of birth	September 8, 1982, September 8, 1982
Profession	TV Personality, TV Personality, TV Personality
Nationality	American, American, American

Family

Brothers or sisters

Terrarussel, Salierussel, Terrarussel, Salierussel, Terrarussel, Salierussel

Performance

TV shows

Pawn stars, pawn stars, pawn stars

Links to social profiles

Pictures

Movies

Actor

Title	Year	Status	Character
Pawnography	2014	TV serials
Bob Dylan: Like a rolling stone	2013	Video short	Host (segment “Pawn Stars”)

Camera department

Title	Year	Status	Character
Driven: The Story of Tanner Godfrey	2013	Documentary Short Cameraman/Gaffer

Director

Title	Year	Status	Character
Driven: The Story of Tanner Godfrey	2013	Documentary short co-director

Editor

Title	Year	Status	Character
Driven: The Story of Tanner Godfrey	2013	Documentary short

Producer

Title	Year	Status	Character
Driven: The Story of Tanner Godfrey	2013	Documentary short co-producer

Yourself

Title	Year	Status	Character
Pawn Stars	2009-2015	TV serials	Himself / Himself – Chumlee / Himself – ‘Chumlee’
Pawnography	2014-2015	TV serials	Himself
Counting cars	2012-2013	TV serials	Himself
Kate	2013	TV serials	Himself – Pawn Stars
Pop star	2013		Himself
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno	2010-2013	TV serials	Himself / Himself – Celebrity All-Star
iCarly	2012	TV serials	Himself
American Restoration	2010-2012	TV serials	Himself
Live with Kelly and Ryan	2012	TV serials	Himself – Guest
American Country New Year’s Eve Live	2011	TV special	Himself – co-host
The 2011 American Country Awards	2011	TV special	Himself
Top Gear USA	2011	Documentary about the TV series	Himself

Source: IMDb, Wikipedia