Austin Chumlee Russell net worth: Austin Chumlee Russell is an American reality television star, businessman, and pawnshop employee who has a net worth of $5 million. Austin Chumlee Russell is most famous for his starring on the History Channel show Pawn Stars.
Early Life: Austin Chumlee Russell was born on September 8, 1982, in Henderson, Nevada. He earned the nickname "Chumlee" when he was 12-years-old after his father compared him one day to the walrus "Chumley" on the cartoon Tennessee Tuxedo due to his large face and chin. The name stuck. He has two siblings, Sage and Terra. One of his childhood best friends was Corey Harrison, son of Rick Harrison and grandson of Richard Harrison. The elder Harrisons founded the Las Vegas-based Gold and Silver Pawn Shop in 1989 which is located just a few minutes off the Las Vegas strip.
Career: Chumlee began working at Gold and Silver when he was 21 years old. The pawnshop gained its first level of notoriety after being featured on the Comedy Central television show Insomniac with Dave Attell. After that episode aired, Rick Harrison pitched a full-fledged series to dozens of production companies and networks until finally, The History Channel bought it. Pawn Stars debuted in 2009 when Austin had been working there for five years.
Today, Chumlee works behind the counter of the pawnshop and is known for his comic foibles. The show follows the goings-on at the Las Vegas-based 24-hour Gold & Silver Pawn Shop. Austin famously was able to talk a local Maserati shop into selling him a $100,000 car for only $85,000 proving his skills as a haggler. Pawn Stars is currently the most popular show on The History Channel.
Chumlee emerged as the breakout cast member and a fan favorite of the series. As a result of the show's success, he formed his own company selling novelty items of his own design and arranged his personal appearances. He sold half of his stake in the company in 2010 to Rick Harrison for $155,000, so that the shop could handle orders of his merchandise more efficiently. Chumlee's sales of merchandise have surpassed other stars of the show, due to his popularity.
Chumlee appeared as himself, alongside Rick and Corey Harrison, in the episode "iLost My Head in Vegas," on the TV series iCarly.
In May 2017, Chumlee opened a candy shop, Chumlee's Candy on the Boulevard, across the street from the Gold and Silver Pawn Shop in Las Vegas. His brother Sage Russell runs the day to day operation of the candy store.
Chumlee is a natural in front of the camera, and over the past dozen years has grown into a nationally recognized TV star. "Pawn Stars" continues its seemingly boundless run on History Channel, which is set to begin filming its 17th season in September 2020.
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Legal Issues: On March 9, 2016, Chumlee's home was raided during the course of an investigation into sexual assault allegations. Police found crystal meth, marijuana, Xanax, and multiple firearms. Evidence of possible cocaine use was also found. Chumlee was arrested and released on bond the following day. On May 23, 2016, Chumlee was charged with 20 felony counts, including drug and weapons charges. He pleaded guilty to a felony weapons charge, unlawful possession of a firearm, and a gross misdemeanor of attempted drug possession in a deal that called for three years of probation and counseling.
Personal Life: He has a special interest in vintage pinball machines. Chumlee is also an avid shoe collector with more than 200 pairs in his closet. He also enjoys sports, the Pokémon Trading Card Game, video games, and skateboarding. He is a fan of both punk rock and rap music. His favorite TV shows are Boardwalk Empire, Sons of Anarchy, and Breaking Bad.
In addition to his Maserati, Chumlee owns a Rolls-Royce Phantom, Range Rover, Cadillac Escalade and a 1964 Impala SS. He enjoys driving his 1986 Buick Regal, which he has customized with hydraulic lifts on the front and back.
Chumlee topped out at 345 pounds before undergoing gastric sleeve surgery, which reduced his stomach capacity to six ounces. He works out six days a week and has improved his diet, including drinking more juice, eating more vegetables, and giving up red meat, a change that was inspired by his father's death at age 54 from pancreatic cancer in 2009, two weeks before Pawn Stars debuted. He lost 110 pounds.
In March 2020, Chumlee was rushed to Valley Hospital in Las Vegas after suffering severe abdominal pain and trouble breathing. He tested negative for Covid-19.
Salary Highlights: For every episode of Pawn Stars that airs, Chumlee earns a salary of $25,000.
Real Estate: In February 2019, Chumlee sold his Las Vegas home for $1.375 million. Located about five miles off the Las Vegas Strip, the two-acre property features a 6,200-square-foot home, a guesthouse and an entertainer's backyard with a rock-lined swimming pool.
