Chumlee

Austin Lee Russell, widely recognized by his stage name Chumlee, was born on September 8, 1982, in Henderson, Nevada. His nickname originated in childhood due to a resemblance to Chumley the walrus from the animated TV series ‘Tennessee Tuxedo’. A childhood friend of Corey Harrison, whose family owned the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop, Chumlee began working at the Las Vegas establishment at the age of 21, five years prior to the debut of ‘Pawn Stars’ in July 2009. On the show, he became known for his often affable and comedic demeanor, while also demonstrating knowledge in areas such as pinball machines, sports memorabilia, sneakers, and video games.

Chumlee’s popularity on ‘Pawn Stars’ grew significantly, leading him to become a fan favorite and a breakout cast member. He capitalized on this recognition by forming his own company to sell novelty merchandise of his design. In 2010, he sold a 50% stake in this company to Rick Harrison for $155,000, allowing the pawn shop to manage his merchandise orders more efficiently. By May 2017, he expanded his business ventures, opening ‘Chumlee’s Candy on the Boulevard’ located across from the Gold and Silver Pawn Shop. This marked a career progression from television personality to a tangible business owner in the retail sector.

His career also includes appearances beyond ‘Pawn Stars’, such as contributing to the ‘iCarly’ episode ‘iLost My Head in Vegas’ as himself alongside Rick and Corey Harrison. In 2020, Chumlee engaged with the gaming community by releasing an NES-style video game titled ‘Chumlee’s Adventure: The Quest for Pinky’. More recently, in 2022, he starred in the ‘Pawn Stars’ spin-off ‘Pawn Stars Do America’ and co-launched the ‘Pawn Stars After Dark Podcast’ with Rick Harrison in 2025, further diversifying his presence in entertainment and media.