Austin “Chumlee” Russell has been a prominent cast member on Pawn Stars for over a decade, and there’s plenty to know about him outside the show. He began working at the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop in Las Vegas in 2003 due to his friendship with Corey “Big Hoss” Harrison, Rick Harrison’s son. Chumlee, known for his laid-back demeanor and sarcastic attitude, usually serves as a comedic voice. He grew up in Las Vegas and has been best friends with Big Hoss since they were kids. His nickname, Chumlee, was given to him by a friend, referencing the character from an old cartoon.
On Pawn Stars, Chumlee is a salesman alongside Rick and Big Hoss. Outside the show, Chumlee has pursued various business ventures, and he is known for his interest in collectibles, which adds to his continued public interest. However, Chumlee has also faced legal troubles, including a 2016 arrest related to drug possession and weapons charges. Despite these issues, Chumlee has remained a popular figure on the show and continues entertaining viewers. Is Chumlee still a law-breaking bad boy, or has he been reformed?
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10 Chumlee Went To San Diego Comic-Con In 2024
He Is An Avid Collector
Chumlee went to the San Diego Comic-Con in 2024, documenting his time on Instagram. In a fun and cute video evocative of Chumlee’s sense of humor, he makes a cup of coffee in a Starbucks mug from Japan, appearing in a colorful Keith Harring robe and enjoying his morning brew while showing off his Pokémon haul from the conference.
“San Diego, comic-con 2024 was amazing. Met some awesome people that I’ve looked up to for many years and made stronger bonds with people I have met more recently,” he began, continuing, “All in all it was a great time. I hope to see you guys at the next Con. Now it’s time to get back to the week and open up some Pokemon Cards.” Chumlee’s fun-loving attitude was definitely on display.
”
Can I have your robe when ur done with it.
”
Chumlee’s followers were big fans of the video, saying, “Chum’s voice is so soothing, we should get an audio book [sic] from him,” and, “Can I have your robe when ur done with it,” joking around. The Pawn Stars cast member has been into collectibles for years, which is unsurprising given his career in the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop in Las Vegas. Chumlee has a separate page to show off his collections called @chumleecollects, where he shows off rare Pokémon cards and other fun finds.
9 Chumlee Straightened Out After His Drugs & Guns Arrest
He Was A Bad Boy Before
Chumlee famously endured legal issues in 2016 when he was arrested in Las Vegas on charges including drug possession and illegal firearms. The police found methamphetamine, marijuana, and several guns in his home during a search. Perhaps most disappointingly, the police search was initiated by an unrelated sexual assault investigation. Although the sexual assault charges were dropped due to a lack of evidence, Chumlee pled guilty to a felony weapons charge and a misdemeanor drug charge. He avoided jail time by agreeing to three years of probation, along with mandatory counseling and drug treatment.
Chumlee turned his life around after his legal issues, becoming sober and losing weight.
Despite these legal troubles, Chumlee successfully reinvented himself. After fulfilling the terms of his plea deal, he returned to Pawn Stars and remained a beloved figure on the show. Chumlee also focused on his personal growth and entrepreneurial ventures, even notably losing a noticeable amount of weight after undergoing weight loss surgery. He launched his candy shop, Chumlee’s Candy on the Blvd, in Las Vegas, demonstrating his resilience and ability to turn his life around despite the setbacks. He’s also sober, having turned his life around.
8 Chumlee Went To The 2024 Pokémon World Championship In Honolulu
He Collects Pokémon Trading Cards
As an avid collector, it’s no surprise that Chumlee appeared at the 2024 Pokémon World Championship in Honolulu, Hawaii. “Aloha from Pokémon Worlds Day 1!!” Chumlee captioned a video featuring various scenes from the conference, including colorful Pikachu balloons and brightly-hued tables. The Pokémon World Championship is an annual competitive event culminating in a series of tournaments held throughout the year, where the best players from around the world compete in various Pokémon games to determine the world champion in each category.
Since Chumlee’s focus as a collector seems to be Pokémon, his presence at the championship was expected. He likes to unbox rare Pokémon cards on his Instagram, showing off special Halloween cards and original 151 “rips.” Chumlee is always engaging, and his passion for collecting shines through.
7 Chumlee Split Up With His Wife, Olivia Rademann
They Allegedly Separated In 2020
Chumlee was married to Olivia Rademann, but they unfortunately separated in 2020. The couple tied the knot in 2018 after dating for several years, during which Olivia supported Chumlee through some difficult times, including his legal troubles. She went to the University of Nevada in Las Vegas and hoped to pursue cosmetology.
Their relationship seemed strong, with Chumlee frequently posting about their life together on social media. However, by September 2020, all mentions and photos of Olivia disappeared from his accounts, leading to the belief that Chumlee and Olivia had likely split up. Neither Chumlee nor Olivia has publicly commented on the breakup, but the absence of any further mentions of each other suggests that their marriage ended around that time. Chumlee went on to focus on his sober life, collecting hobbies, and getting healthy through weight-loss surgery.
6 Chumlee Had Weight Loss Surgery
He Weighs Around 190 Pounds
Chumlee underwent a dramatic weight-loss transformation by losing around 160 pounds after his legal issues and shortly before his separation from Olivia. His weight-loss journey began in earnest after he hit his peak weight of 350 pounds in January 2019. Chumlee had struggled with weight fluctuations for years, often losing and regaining as much as 100 pounds at a time, which ultimately led him to make a more permanent change. He and Big Hoss are seen as the stereotypical big and funny guys on Pawn Stars.
However, Chumlee’s journey didn’t stop with surgery. He committed to a healthier lifestyle, focusing on clean eating and regular exercise to maintain his weight at around 190 pounds. Chumlee has been open about his experience, sharing his journey on social media to inspire others who might be struggling with their weight. He also embarked on a sober journey, complementing his brand-new lifestyle. He feels and looks better after his physical and mental journeys.
5 Chumlee Is A Virgo
He’s Hardworking But Also Goofy
Chumlee was born September 8, 1982, making him nearly 44 years old and a Virgo astrological sign. Virgos are known for being detail-oriented, reserved, and perfectionistic. They’re detailed people and often strive for perfection in their work and personal life. Virgos are also known for their strong work ethic, preferring to remain behind the scenes rather than become the center of attention.
Despite being a Virgo, Chumlee is more known for being easygoing and goofy in Pawn Stars. While Virgos are typically meticulous, Chumlee used to be careless and inattentive to detail, though he’s grown up in recent years. Although he has moments of insight, he is not the most analytical guy. However, Chumlee does reflect Virgo’s dedicated nature, having been with the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop for many years and remaining loyal. He also downplays his accomplishments and is comfortable being the butt of jokes without taking offense, allowing Rick to be the show’s central star.
Unlike the reserved nature of most Virgos, Chumlee is more outgoing and laid-back, enjoying the spotlight rather than shying away from it. Additionally, his relaxed demeanor contrasts with the typical Virgo perfectionist tendencies. Chumlee might not show the most stereotypical Virgo traits, but he is a bit more reserved and hard-working, even speaking in a calming voice.
4 Chumlee Appears In Pawn Stars Do America
The Harrisons And Chumlee Took The Show On The Road
Chumlee appears in Pawn Stars Do America, a spin-off of the original hit History Channel show. After nearly two decades on the air, it’s unsurprising that the network wanted to revitalize Pawn Stars and get the guys out of Las Vegas. This series takes the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop crew, including Rick, Big Hoss, and Chumlee, on the road across the United States. Instead of customers coming to their Las Vegas shop, the Pawn Stars team travels to various cities to appraise and potentially buy items throughout the country.
The show combines elements of a travel log with the classic Pawn Stars format. In each episode, Rick, Corey, and Chumlee explore the history and culture of the cities they visit while interacting with locals and evaluating a wide range of items, from rare collectibles and historical artifacts to odd and quirky objects. The road trip format allows the team to experience new adventures and meet people from all walks of life, regardless of whether they’ll ever make it to the Las Vegas shop.
3 Chumlee Pals Around With Rick Harrison
They’re Goofballs Together
Chumlee is pals with Rick on and off camera, as evidenced by his Instagram. Rick is a no-nonsense main character on Pawn Stars, often serving as the foil for Big Hoss and Chumlee’s antics, though the two have matured over the years. This isn’t surprising given Chumlee started working for Rick when he was only 20 years old. In a recent Instagram post, Chumlee goofed off by asking Rick how much he would buy his Pokémon cards for.
“How much will @rick_harrison buy my hits for? Watch and find out. Don’t forget to stop by the @goldandsilver_pawnshop for your Pokemon cards,” Chumlee wrote, alluding to a Pokémon collector’s delight at the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop in Las Vegas. He described the cards in the video as being worth a combined $160, but Rick only offered him ten dollars for the pair. It’s great to see their relationship is just as genuine off-screen.
2 Chumlee’s A Disney Fanatic
He Collects Lorcana Trading Cards
Not only does Chumlee love Pokémon, but he’s also a Disney fanatic. In an Instagram post from August 2024, Chumlee shared his excitement over Lorcana, a brand of Disney trading cards:
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Everyone knows how much I love Disney! This is one of the biggest releases of the year! New D23 Lorcana exclusives dropped with the next set expansion Shimmering Skies! Can’t wait to open some boxes and see what we get!
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Unboxing is often a popular way for collectors to engage with fans, and Chumlee has the art of unboxing figured out. “Bro that d23 set is awesome need to get my hands on that and the Mickey promo,” wrote one fan. Another raved, “I hope the Disney convention here in Brazil brings the same kits.” While sporting a Mickey t-shirt, Chumlee explained the new drop and shared his expertise on the subject. As a curator of collectibles for nearly twenty years, it’s fascinating to see Chumlee’s career trajectory blossom and become more genuine, focusing on what he loves the most.
1 Chumlee’s Not A “Real” Harrison Family Member
He Was Best Friends With Corey Growing Up
Chumlee isn’t biologically related to the Harrison but might as well be. He’s often seen as an honorary member due to his close relationship with the family, particularly with Big Hoss, whom he has known since childhood. Chumlee and Corey grew up together, forming a strong bond that eventually led to Chumlee working at the pawn shop featured on the show. Over time, Chumlee became an integral part of the business and the show, even functioning as an honorary family member.
Despite not being a blood relative, Chumlee is often treated like family by the Harrisons. Rick, Big Hoss, and even the late Richard “Old Man” Harrison have shown affection for Chumlee on and off the screen. His long-standing relationship with Big Hoss and his nearly two-decade role in the pawn shop’s operations make him functionally part of the family, even though he isn’t one by birth. Chumlee is one of the best parts of Pawn Stars, and he’s part of the Harrison family.
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Sources: Chumlee Russell/Instagram, @chumleecollects/Instagram, Chumlee Russell/Instagram, Pawn Stars Do America/YouTube, Chumlee Russell/Instagram, Chumlee Russell/Instagram
