If you spent any time flipping through cable channels over the last decade, you probably recognize the scowl. It belonged to the man in the black fedora, sitting behind a glass counter in a dusty Las Vegas pawn shop. Richard "Old Man" Harrison wasn't just a TV star; he was the iron-willed patriarch of the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop. People often find themselves wondering when did Richard Harrison die, usually because they’ve just stumbled upon a classic rerun and realized the room feels a bit emptier without his dry wit cutting through the drama.
He passed away on June 25, 2018.
He was 77 years old. It wasn't a sudden, shocking accident, but rather a long-fought battle with Parkinson's disease. His son, Rick Harrison, confirmed the news via social media, noting that his father was surrounded by loved ones when he finally drifted off. It’s kinda strange how a man who spent his life haggling over the price of antique muskets and silver coins ended up becoming a grandfather figure to millions of viewers who never even stepped foot in Nevada.
The Morning the World Found Out When Did Richard Harrison Die
Social media went into a bit of a frenzy that Monday morning. Rick’s post on Instagram was heartfelt, calling his father his "hero" and a "great father, grandfather, and great-grandfather." For fans of Pawn Stars, the news felt like losing a piece of their own family. The Old Man was the ballast of that show. While Rick, Corey, and Chumlee were often chasing the next big score or getting into various shenanigans, Richard was there to remind everyone about the value of a dollar.
Honestly, he was the show's soul.
The History Channel released a statement almost immediately, acknowledging his "wisdom and humor" that defined the series since its debut in 2009. He didn't just play a character. That grumpy, "I’ve seen it all" persona was exactly who he was in real life. If he thought your 19th-century sword was a piece of junk, he’d tell you. If he thought his son was overpaying for a classic car, he’d let him hear it for the next three days.
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A Life Defined by Grit and Navy Blue
To understand why his death resonated so much, you have to look at where he came from. This wasn't a guy who grew up wanting to be on camera. He was a Navy veteran. He spent 20 years in the service, and that military discipline never really left him. You could see it in the way he kept his shop, the way he carried himself, and the way he expected perfection from everyone around him.
He moved his family to Las Vegas in the early 1980s after a real estate business in North Carolina went south. Think about that for a second. He was a middle-aged man starting over with nothing but a few thousand dollars and a dream of selling second-hand goods. He opened the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop in 1989. It wasn't a glamorous start. It was a grind.
Parkinson’s Disease: The Quiet Battle
While the public was busy laughing at his banter with Chumlee, Richard was fighting a private war. Parkinson's is a progressive disorder of the central nervous system that affects movement, often including tremors. In the final seasons of his appearances on the show, you could sometimes see the toll it was taking, though his mind remained sharp as a razor until the end.
He didn't want pity.
He kept showing up to the shop because that’s what a man of his generation did. You work. You provide. You don't complain about the hand you're dealt. This stoicism is likely why so many people were caught off guard by the news of his passing. He seemed invincible, like a permanent fixture of the Las Vegas strip that would simply always be there.
The Impact on the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop
After he died, the shop became a bit of a pilgrimage site. Fans left flowers, fedoras, and notes outside the doors on Las Vegas Boulevard. The business had to change, of course. Rick Harrison took over the primary leadership role, but the "Old Man's" chair remained a symbol of the standards he set.
- The shop saw a massive influx of visitors in the weeks following June 25, 2018.
- Production on Pawn Stars paused briefly to allow the family to grieve.
- Special tribute episodes were aired, showcasing his best "grumpy" moments and his surprisingly tender interactions with his grandkids.
It's actually fascinating how his death didn't kill the show. Usually, when a central figure leaves, a reality series starts to death-spiral. But Richard had built such a solid foundation—and trained Rick and Corey so thoroughly in the "Harrison way"—that the legacy continued. They still talk about him constantly on the show, often asking "What would the Old Man say about this deal?"
Usually, the answer is that he'd say they're paying too much.
Why We Still Talk About Him in 2026
It's been years since he passed, yet the question of when did Richard Harrison die still trends. Why? Because the Old Man represented a vanishing breed of American. He was a man of few words, immense integrity, and a work ethic that put people half his age to shame. In a world of filtered influencers and fake personalities, Richard Harrison was unapologetically himself.
He didn't care if the cameras were rolling or not.
His death marked the end of an era for cable television. Pawn Stars was one of the last true "juggernauts" of the reality TV boom of the late 2000s. While the show goes on, it feels more like a polished production now. The early days, when Richard was lurking in the background checking the books, had a grit that you just can't manufacture.
Practical Lessons from the Old Man’s Life
Looking back at his life and his passing, there are some pretty solid takeaways for anyone trying to build something that lasts. He didn't become a millionaire overnight. He didn't get lucky. He worked a counter for decades before a producer ever walked through his door.
- Persistence over everything. He lost his first business and didn't quit; he moved across the country and started over in a city he didn't know.
- Family first, even when it’s messy. Working with your son and grandson every day is a recipe for disaster for most people, but he made it the core of his success.
- Know your value. Whether it was a rare coin or his own time, he never let anyone lowball him.
How to Honor His Legacy Today
If you find yourself in Las Vegas, the shop is still there. It’s located at 713 S Las Vegas Blvd. It’s a bit more of a tourist trap now than it was in 1989, but you can still see the influence of Richard everywhere. There are tributes to him inside, and yes, you can buy a shirt with his face on it.
But the real way to honor him is probably a bit simpler.
Work hard. Don't take any nonsense. And maybe, just once, tell someone they’re asking too much for that dusty old thing in their garage. Richard Harrison's death was a loss for his family and for fans of authentic television, but the "Old Man" isn't really gone as long as people keep haggling and valuing history.
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To stay connected with the ongoing history of the shop and the family, you can follow the official Gold & Silver Pawn social media channels or visit the shop's website for updates on their latest acquisitions. If you're looking to dive deeper into his life story, Rick Harrison’s book, License to Pawn, gives a much more detailed look at the struggles they faced before the fame, including the Old Man's early years and his move to Vegas. Don't just settle for the 30-minute TV version; the real story is much more interesting.