When you hear the name Rick Harrison, many people instantly think of Pawn Stars, the long-running History Channel staple. But his journey is far more than a TV When you hear the name Rick Harrison, many people instantly think of Pawn Stars, the long-running History Channel staple. But his journey is far more than a TV personality spotlight. Rick Harrison is a self-made entrepreneur, a passionate collector, and someone who turned a family pawn shop in Las Vegas into a global brand. In this post, we’ll explore his early life, rise to fame, challenges he’s faced, and what makes him a compelling figure.
Early Life & Formative Years
Childhood, Epilepsy & Early Hustling
Rick Harrison was born March 22, 1965, in Lexington, North Carolina, to Richard Benjamin Harrison and Joanne Rhue Harrison. Wikipedia+2HISTORY+2 When Rick was just eight years old, he began experiencing epileptic seizures, which at times confined him to bed for extended periods. Wikipedia+2TV Insider+2 Those early struggles arguably fueled his deep love for reading, history, and scheming small hustles from a young age. TV Insider+2Graham Bensinger+2
In his teen years, Rick experimented with side hustles stories note he sold counterfeit Gucci bags and jeans and tried other small trade schemes. HISTORY+2Graham Bensinger+2 He even dropped out of high school to pursue such ventures full time. Wikipedia+2HISTORY+2
Move to Las Vegas & Pawn Shop Foundations
In 1981, Rick’s family relocated to Las Vegas, Nevada, after his parents’ real estate business declined. Wikipedia+2TV Insider+2 Growing up under his father’s influence in the pawn/coin shop business, Rick learned how to appraise, negotiate, and spot fakes. HISTORY+2TV Insider+2
By the late 1980s, Rick and his father opened the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop, eventually converting from a coin shop to a fully operational pawn business. HISTORY+2Screen Rant+2 Rick was often the “spotter” — the one who could tell whether an item was real or fraudulent. HISTORY+1
The Rise of Pawn Stars & Media Fame
From Local Shop to Television Star
While the pawn shop was doing steady business, it was not until 2008, 2009 that broader fame came. At first, Rick pitched a reality-style show around the pawn shop, though initial interest was cautious. Graham Bensinger+3HISTORY+3Wikipedia+3 Eventually, Pawn Stars premiered on the History Channel, showcasing customers bringing in odd artifacts and the family negotiating deals. HISTORY+2TV Insider+2
Rick became one of the central figures: the voice of reason, the appraiser, the straight man between his father (the “Old Man”) and his son, Corey “Big Hoss” Harrison. HISTORY+2Wikipedia+2 Over time, Pawn Stars became one of History’s longest-running and most popular shows. TV Insider+1
Beyond Pawn: Ventures & Media Presence
Rick leveraged his TV fame into other projects. He’s appeared on talk shows, antiques and collectible programs, and has spoken publicly on business and entrepreneurial topics. In more recent years, he and co-stars launched the “Pawn Stars After Dark Podcast” to discuss behind-the-scenes stories and engage fans. Wikipedia+1 Also, Rick is sometimes brought in as a keynote speaker, reflecting on how he grew his brand and navigated reality-TV success.
Personal Life, Struggles & Loss
Family & Relationships
Rick has married several times. He was first married to Kim, with whom he had two sons, Corey and Adam. Later, he married Tracy, and they had a son named Jake.More recently, he married Deanna Burditt in 2013, though their relationship ended in divorce.
Tragically, his son Adam Harrison passed away in January 2024 from an accidental fentanyl overdose, at age 39. Rick has publicly opened up about the loss, grief, and the ongoing pain of wondering if he could have done more.
In March 2025, Rick announced his engagement to girlfriend Angie Polushkin.The proposal came during a winery visit in Chile, and the couple posted romantic photos announcing their upcoming union.
Challenges & Legal Battles
Rick’s life has not been without controversy or tension. In 2022, his mother, Joanne Harrison, filed a lawsuit claiming he coerced her into relinquishing her stake in the business during a period when she was recovering from a coma. That legal battle drew public attention to family and ownership dynamics within the pawn shop empire.
Additionally, balancing personal mental health, coping with a child’s addiction, and managing public scrutiny have all been implicit challenges in Rick’s journey.
What Makes Rick Harrison Compelling
Master Negotiator & “Spotter” Mindset
Rick’s nickname “The Spotter” comes from his ability to tell immediately whether an item is authentic or not — a rare gift in the pawn and collectibles world. HISTORY+1 His negotiation style is grounded, direct, and rooted in deep knowledge of history, collectibles, and market value not thanks to formal training, but a lifetime of hands-on experience.
Reinvention & Brand Building
Rick didn’t just rely on Pawn Stars for fame he used it as a platform. From licensing deals to speaking, podcasts, and merchandising, he expanded his footprint. The Gold & Silver Pawn Shop became a destination itself.
Vulnerability & Authenticity
Rick’s openness about personal struggles — his epilepsy, his son’s addiction, hardships makes him more relatable. His willingness to show both success and pain lends depth to what might otherwise just be “reality TV guy.”
Legacy & Cultural Impact
Pawn Stars revitalized public interest in antique collecting, historical artifacts, and everyday items with interesting backstories. Rick’s persona as the grounded negotiator offered a balance to more flamboyant TV personalities.
FAQs (For SEO & Reader Value)
Q1: How old is Rick Harrison?
A1: Rick Harrison was born on March 22, 1965, making him 60 years old as of 2025.
Q2: What happened to Rick Harrison’s son, Adam?
A2: Adam Harrison died in January 2024 from an accidental overdose involving fentanyl, at the age of 39. Rick has publicly shared his grief and reflections since the tragedy.
Q3: Is Rick Harrison still active on Pawn Stars?
A3: Yes, Rick continues his involvement in Pawn Stars. He has also branched into spin-off shows like Pawn Stars Do America and co-hosts the “Pawn Stars After Dark Podcast Rick Harrison is a self-made entrepreneur, a passionate collector, and someone who turned a family pawn shop in Las Vegas into a global brand. In this post, we’ll explore his early life, rise to fame, challenges he’s faced, and what makes him a compelling figure.
Early Life & Formative Years
Childhood, Epilepsy & Early Hustling
Rick Harrison was born March 22, 1965, in Lexington, North Carolina, to Richard Benjamin Harrison and Joanne Rhue Harrison. When Rick was just eight years old, he began experiencing epileptic seizures, which at times confined him to bed for extended periods. Those early struggles arguably fueled his deep love for reading, history, and scheming small hustles from a young age.
In his teen years, Rick experimented with side hustles , stories note he sold counterfeit Gucci bags and jeans and tried other small trade schemes. He even dropped out of high school to pursue such ventures full time.
Move to Las Vegas & Pawn Shop Foundations
In 1981, Rick’s family relocated to Las Vegas, Nevada, after his parents’ real estate business declined. Growing up under his father’s influence in the pawn/coin shop business, Rick learned how to appraise, negotiate, and spot fakes.
By the late 1980s, Rick and his father opened the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop, eventually converting from a coin shop to a fully operational pawn business. Rick was often the “spotter” the one who could tell whether an item was real or fraudulent.
The Rise of Pawn Stars & Media Fame
From Local Shop to Television Star
While the pawn shop was doing steady business, it was not until 2008–2009 that broader fame came. At first, Rick pitched a reality-style show around the pawn shop, though initial interest was cautious. Eventually, Pawn Stars premiered on the History Channel, showcasing customers bringing in odd artefacts and the family negotiating deals.
Rick became one of the central figures: the voice of reason, the appraiser, the straight man between his father (the “Old Man”) and his son, Corey “Big Hoss” Harrison. Over time, Pawn Stars became one of History’s longest-running and most popular shows.
Beyond Pawn: Ventures & Media Presence
Rick leveraged his TV fame into other projects. He’s appeared on talk shows, antiques and collectible programs, and has spoken publicly on business and entrepreneurial topics. In more recent years, he and co-stars launched the “Pawn Stars After Dark Podcast” to discuss behind-the-scenes stories and engage fans. Also, Rick is sometimes brought in as a keynote speaker, reflecting on how he grew his brand and navigated reality-TV success.
Personal Life, Struggles & Loss
Family & Relationships
Rick has married several times. He was first married to Kim, with whom he had two sons, Corey and Adam. Later, he married Tracy, and they had a son named Jak More recently, he married Deanna Burditt in 2013, though their relationship ended in divorce.
Tragically, his son Adam Harrison passed away in January 2024 from an accidental fentanyl overdose, at age 39. Rick has publicly opened up about the loss, grief, and the ongoing pain of wondering if he could have done more.
In March 2025, Rick announced his engagement to girlfriend Angie Polushkin. The proposal came during a winery visit in Chile, and the couple posted romantic photos announcing their upcoming union.
Challenges & Legal Battles
Rick’s life has not been without controversy or tension. In 2022, his mother, Joanne Harrison, filed a lawsuit claiming he coerced her into relinquishing her stake in the business during a period when she was recovering from a coma. That legal battle drew public attention to family and ownership dynamics within the pawn shop empire.
Additionally, balancing personal mental health, coping with a child’s addiction, and managing public scrutiny have all been implicit challenges in Rick’s journey.
What Makes Rick Harrison Compelling
Master Negotiator & “Spotter” Mindset
Rick’s nickname “The Spotter” comes from his ability to tell immediately whether an item is authentic or not — a rare gift in the pawn and collectibles world. His negotiation style is grounded, direct, and rooted in deep knowledge of history, collectibles, and market value — not thanks to formal training, but a lifetime of hands-on experience.
Reinvention & Brand Building
Rick didn’t just rely on Pawn Stars for fame he used it as a platform. From licensing deals to speaking, podcasts, and merchandising, he expanded his footprint. The Gold & Silver Pawn Shop became a destination itself.
Vulnerability & Authenticity
Rick’s openness about personal struggles his epilepsy, his son’s addiction, hardships makes him more relatable. His willingness to show both success and pain lends depth to what might otherwise just be “reality TV guy.”
Legacy & Cultural Impact
Pawn Stars revitalized public interest in antique collecting, historical artefacts, and everyday items with interesting backstories. Rick’s persona as the grounded negotiator offered a balance to more flamboyant TV personalities.
FAQs
Q1: How old is Rick Harrison?
A1: Rick Harrison was born on March 22, 1965, making him 60 years old as of 2025.
Q2: What happened to Rick Harrison’s son, Adam?
A2: Adam Harrison died in January 2024 from an accidental overdose involving fentanyl, at the age of 39. Rick has publicly shared his grief and reflections since the tragedy.
Q3: Is Rick Harrison still active on Pawn Stars?
A3: Yes, Rick continues his involvement in Pawn Stars. He has also branched into spin-off shows like Pawn Stars Do America and co-hosts the “Pawn Stars After Dark Podcast”.
