Exploring Austin Chumlee Russell’s financial status
With a net worth estimated at $5 million, Austin Chumlee Russell is recognized as an American reality TV personality, entrepreneur, and pawnshop worker. Known affectionately as Chumlee, he has gained significant popularity through his appearance on the reality show “Pawn Stars.” Despite often being the subject of jokes among his colleagues, he is cherished by viewers for his amiable demeanor. His tendency to empathize with customers and reluctance to negotiate prices have sometimes caused challenges at the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop in Las Vegas, Nevada. However, his expertise in video games and toys is unparalleled, although his suggestions for purchasing items are sometimes met with skepticism by his co-workers. Despite being teased as the “village idiot,” his entrepreneurial ventures, including a company managing his public engagements and selling novelty items and custom shirts, have been successful. He even sold a stake in his company to the pawn shop to assist with distribution.
Early Days
Born on September 8, 1982, in Henderson, Nevada, Austin Chumlee Russell gained his nickname “Chumlee” at the age of 12 due to his facial features resembling the walrus character “Chumley” from the cartoon “Tennessee Tuxedo.” Raised alongside a brother named Sage and a sister named Terra, he shared a close bond with childhood friend Corey Harrison, the son of Rick Harrison and grandson of Richard Harrison. The Harrisons co-founded the Gold and Silver Pawn Shop in Las Vegas in 1989.
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Chumlee’s Adventures at the Pawn Shop
Commencing his employment at Gold and Silver at 21, Chumlee’s journey aligned with the shop’s rise to fame following an appearance on “Insomniac with Dave Attell.” Subsequently, this led to the creation of “Pawn Stars” after Rick Harrison pitched the concept to various networks. The show premiered in 2009, featuring Austin, who had been working there for five years at that point.
Presently, Chumlee remains a pivotal part of the pawnshop, recognized for his comedic mishaps. The show meticulously captures the daily operations of the 24-hour Gold & Silver Pawn Shop. Notably, Chumlee once managed to negotiate the purchase of a $100,000 Maserati for $85,000 from a local dealer.
“Most popular show on The History Channel is currently “Pawn Stars,” where negotiation skills are put to the test.
Chumlee, a breakout star and fan favorite on “Pawn Stars,” ventured into selling novelty items he had designed. With a considerable fanbase, Chumlee outsold other show cast members. His merchandise sales surged, prompting him to sell a portion of his company to Rick Harrison for improved efficiency.
In 2017, Chumlee debuted Chumlee’s Candy on the Boulevard, strategically positioned across from the Gold and Silver Pawn Shop. The day-to-day operations are handled by his brother, Sage Russell.
The History Channel’s “Pawn Stars” continues to captivate audiences with an impressive 675 episodes over 21 seasons. Delving deeper, a spinoff titled “Pawn Stars Do America” was launched in 2022. In this series, the cast embarks on a journey to explore collectibles in various iconic American locations.
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Legal Issues
Chumlee faced legal challenges when his home was raided amid a sexual assault inquiry on March 9, 2016. During the search, authorities discovered a mix of substances like crystal meth, marijuana, Xanax, and an array of firearms. After an arrest and subsequent release on bail, Chumlee encountered 20 felony charges encompassing drug and weapon violations on May 23, 2016. Following a plea agreement, he confessed to a felony weapons charge, unlawful firearm possession, and a gross misdemeanor related to attempted drug possession. The resolution involved three years of probation and mandatory counseling.
Personal Life
Hobbies and activities play a significant role in Chumlee’s life. He holds a keen interest in vintage pinball machines and owns a collection of over 200 pairs of shoes. Additionally, his pastimes include sports, video games, skateboarding, and the Pokémon Trading Card Game. A music enthusiast, he particularly enjoys punk rock and rap genres. His preferred TV shows are “Boardwalk Empire,” “Sons of Anarchy,” and “Breaking Bad.”
Chumlee possesses a diverse car collection comprising vehicles like a Maserati, Rolls-Royce Phantom, Range Rover, Cadillac Escalade, and a 1964 Impala SS. For a unique touch, he customized his 1986 Buick Regal with hydraulic lifts on both ends, adding to his fleet.
Struggling with weight issues, Chumlee opted for gastric sleeve surgery, reducing his stomach capacity to six ounces. He adopted a rigorous workout regimen, coupled with dietary modifications like increased juice consumption, more vegetables, and the exclusion of red meat. Shedding 110 pounds, this transformation was spurred by his father’s untimely death from pancreatic cancer at the age of 54.
Emergency hit in March 2020 when Chumlee experienced severe abdominal pain and breathing difficulties, necessitating a visit to Valley Hospital in Las Vegas. Luckily, tests ruled out Covid-19.
Chumlee tied the knot with Olivia Russell, with whom he had been friends before dating. After becoming engaged in May 2018, they exchanged vows in August 2019. However, recent developments have raised questions about Olivia’s absence, as all traces of her were purged from Chumlee’s Instagram account in July 2020. Her current whereabouts remain unknown.
“Chumlee, living in Las Vegas while filming “Pawn Stars,” expressed on social media the challenges of being apart but believed the sacrifices would pay off.
Salary Per Episode
Chumlee earns $25,000 for each aired episode of Pawn Stars.
Real Estate
In February 2019, Chumlee sold his Las Vegas home for $1.375 million. The two-acre property, located approximately five miles from the Las Vegas Strip, boasts a 6,200-square-foot home, a guesthouse, and an entertainer’s backyard with a rock-lined swimming pool, including the infamous “Chum Chum Room” with a stripper’s pole, purchased for $1.1 million in 2012.