The man behind popular reality TV show Pawn Stars, Rick Harrison, is a successful businessman and television personality. As of 2024, Harrison has amassed around $9 million through his business, Gold & Silver Pawn Shop, and television success. His journey from running a family pawn shop to becoming a widely recognized TV figure is a true testament to hard work, persistence, and entrepreneurial spirit.
Early Life and the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop Beginnings
Born on March 22, 1965, in Lexington, North Carolina, Rick Harrison grew up in a working-class household. Her father, the military-trained Richard Harrison, influenced Rick greatly. After moving to Las Vegas in the 1980s, the family had financial challenges. In 1989, Rick and his father opened the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop on the city outskirts, selling gold and silver jewelry.
This small shop served the local Las Vegas community by offering loans in exchange for jewelry, electronics, and rare collectibles. Rick had a sharp business mind and could easily assess the value of items, which helped the business thrive.
Rise to Fame with Pawn Stars
Harrison’s life changed when the History Channel launched Pawn Stars in 2009, a reality show about Gold & Silver Pawn Shop. The show became a huge success and millions watched the items that came through the shop and the dynamic interactions between Rick, his father, Old Man, and his son, Corey.
Pawn Stars introduced wider audiences to the world of pawning, negotiating, and historical artifacts. It wasn’t just a show about buying and selling—it was a show about history and storytelling. Fans liked Harrison for his ability to value items, his wit, and his straight-talking approach. Popularity of the show put Harrison in the limelight and helped the shop make money.
The success of Pawn Stars has significantly boosted Rick Harrison’s net worth. The show lasted more than 20 seasons, and its continued reruns bring in substantial income through syndication. The exposure from the show turned Gold & Silver Pawn Shop into a Las Vegas tourist destination, bringing in thousands of visitors eager to meet Rick and his family.
Other Business Ventures and Investments
Beyond Pawn Stars, Rick Harrison has also made money through other ventures. With his TV success came merchandise sales, special appearances, and book deals. In 2011, Harrison co-wrote his autobiography License to Pawn, a New York Times bestseller. The book lets readers in on his life, the pawn business, and things involved in running a shop.
Harrison has also invested in real estate properties. His understanding of the value of assets, learned from years in the pawn business, has made him a savvy real estate investor. Such ventures have augmented his fortune, giving him other sources of income besides the pawn shop and television.
