Rick Harrison

Rick Harrison is a businessman, reality television personality, and owner of the World Famous Gold & Silver Pawn Shop in Las Vegas, Nevada, the establishment featured in the History Channel series "Pawn Stars." Harrison began training in the pawn business at age 13, developing an early understanding of the trade. He experienced epileptic seizures from age eight, which confined him to bed for extended periods and fostered a strong interest in reading, particularly history books. This interest later contributed to his expertise in the pawn industry.

At age 23, Harrison partnered with his father, Richard Harrison, to found the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop, located near the Las Vegas Strip. Harrison gained national recognition through "Pawn Stars," a reality TV show that explores the operations of a pawn shop in Las Vegas and delves into the historical significance of various items. The series has aired more than 600 episodes across 21 seasons and became the highest-rated program on History Channel and the second-highest-rated reality show on television. Harrison is known for his expertise in appraisal and his ability to identify counterfeit or stolen items, such as detecting a fake Cartier watch.

The show highlights the family's interactions with customers as they negotiate prices and discuss the historical value of items, introducing millions of viewers to Harrison's appraisal skills. Harrison has appeared as an expert on talk shows, including "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," and made guest appearances on scripted television, such as "iCarly" and "The Middle."

Harrison authored the memoir "License to Pawn: Deals, Steals, and My Life at the Gold & Silver," which reached No. 22 on The New York Times Best Seller list. The Gold & Silver Pawn Shop has become a major tourist destination in Las Vegas. Harrison and co-star Chumlee expanded their media presence with the podcast "Pawn After Dark." Harrison has also used his platform to raise awareness about the opioid epidemic, speaking publicly about personal loss. His career reflects expertise in the pawn industry, reality television, and entrepreneurship.