Net Worth Ranker
What Is Austin Chumlee Russell’s Net Worth?
Austin Chumlee Russell, widely recognized as a prominent figure in American reality television, boasts a net worth of approximately $5 million. This financial standing is primarily attributed to his involvement in the acclaimed reality show “Pawn Stars,” coupled with his entrepreneurial ventures and salary from the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop.
Chumlee’s “Pawn Stars” Journey and Salary
Chumlee commenced his employment at the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop at the age of 21, marking the initiation of his journey toward becoming a television personality. Before its reality TV fame, the pawnshop gained initial recognition through its appearance on Comedy Central’s “Insomniac with Dave Attell.” This exposure laid the groundwork for the subsequent development of “Pawn Stars,” which premiered in 2009, four years after Austin began working there.
As a cast member of “Pawn Stars,” Chumlee earns a salary of $25,000 per episode. With “Pawn Stars” having aired over 675 episodes across 21 seasons, his cumulative earnings from the show have significantly contributed to his overall net worth.
In 2022, a spinoff series, “Pawn Stars Do America,” was launched, further expanding the “Pawn Stars” franchise and potentially offering additional income avenues for its cast members.
Business Ventures and Entrepreneurial Success
Capitalizing on his rising fame, Chumlee ventured into entrepreneurship by establishing his own company specializing in novelty items and custom t-shirts. The success of this venture prompted him to sell a portion of his stake to the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop to streamline distribution, demonstrating his business acumen and strategic decision-making.
In 2017, Chumlee expanded his entrepreneurial portfolio by opening “Chumlee’s Candy on the Boulevard,” a candy store situated across from the Gold and Silver Pawn Shop in Las Vegas. His brother, Sage Russell, oversees the daily operations of the store, illustrating Chumlee’s commitment to fostering familial involvement in his business endeavors.
The specific revenue generated by Chumlee’s businesses is not publicly disclosed; however, his success as a retailer is demonstrably linked to his popularity among “Pawn Stars” fans, which drives sales of his merchandise.
Real Estate Holdings
In February 2019, Chumlee divested one of his real estate assets, a Las Vegas home, for $1.375 million. The property, located approximately five miles from the Las Vegas Strip, spanned two acres and featured a 6,200-square-foot home, a guesthouse, and an entertainer’s backyard complete with a rock-lined swimming pool. Notably, the residence included the “Chum Chum Room,” which was equipped with a stripper pole.
Chumlee had originally acquired the property in 2012 for $1.1 million, indicating a profitable return on his initial investment and contributing positively to his net worth.
Information on Chumlee’s current real estate portfolio beyond the aforementioned property is not publicly available.
Early Life and Background
Austin Russell, born on September 8, 1982, in Henderson, Nevada, acquired the moniker “Chumlee” during his childhood, attributed to his resemblance to the walrus “Chumley” from the cartoon “Tennessee Tuxedo.”
He grew up alongside two siblings, a brother named Sage and a sister named Terra. A close childhood friend, Corey Harrison, whose father and grandfather, Rick and Richard Harrison, respectively, founded the Gold and Silver Pawn Shop in 1989, a few minutes from the Las Vegas Strip.
Legal Issues
In March 2016, Chumlee’s residence was subjected to a police raid as part of a sexual assault investigation. During the search, authorities discovered controlled substances, including crystal meth, marijuana, and Xanax, along with multiple firearms. Subsequently, Chumlee was arrested and later released on bond.
In May 2016, Chumlee faced 20 felony counts related to drug and weapons charges. Ultimately, he pleaded guilty to a felony weapons charge (unlawful possession of a firearm) and a gross misdemeanor (attempted drug possession), resulting in a sentence of three years of probation and mandatory counseling.
The financial impact of these legal issues on Chumlee’s net worth is not explicitly stated in the available sources.
Personal Life and Lifestyle
Chumlee has demonstrated an affinity for vintage pinball machines and amassed a collection of over 200 pairs of shoes. He is also known to have a taste for sports, video games, skateboarding, and the Pokémon Trading Card Game.
In terms of his music preferences, he favors punk rock and rap. His favorite TV shows include “Boardwalk Empire,” “Sons of Anarchy,” and “Breaking Bad.”
Beyond his Maserati (obtained through skillful negotiation), Chumlee’s car collection includes a Rolls-Royce Phantom, Range Rover, Cadillac Escalade, and a 1964 Impala SS. He also enjoys driving his customized 1986 Buick Regal, featuring hydraulic lifts on the front and back.
In a health-conscious decision, Chumlee underwent gastric sleeve surgery to reduce his stomach capacity, aiding in a weight loss transformation. He adopted a regimen of working out six days a week and modifying his diet to include more juice, vegetables, and a reduction in red meat consumption. This lifestyle change resulted in a weight loss of 110 pounds.
Chumlee’s personal life also encompasses his marriage to Olivia Russell. The pair had been friends for some time before commencing a romantic relationship. They became engaged in May 2018 and exchanged vows in August 2019. However, their relationship status became a subject of speculation when all pictures of Olivia were removed from Chumlee’s Instagram account in July 2020.
Luxury Car Collection
Chumlee’s affinity for luxury cars is showcased through his collection, which includes a Maserati, obtained through his negotiating skills, allegedly saving $15,000 from the original listed price of $100,000. Additional vehicles in his garage include a Rolls-Royce Phantom, Range Rover, Cadillac Escalade, and a classic 1964 Impala SS. Further demonstrating his penchant for customization, he owns a 1986 Buick Regal outfitted with hydraulic lifts on both the front and back.
Health and Wellness Journey
Chumlee’s journey toward improved health and wellness involved a significant lifestyle transformation. Having weighed 345 pounds initially, he opted for gastric sleeve surgery to reduce his stomach capacity, an impactful decision inspired by his father’s passing due to pancreatic cancer at the age of 54.
Following the surgery, he committed to a rigorous workout regimen, exercising six days a week, and overhauled his dietary habits, incorporating more juice and vegetables while reducing his intake of red meat. These combined efforts resulted in a weight loss of 110 pounds, underscoring his dedication to maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
In March 2020, Chumlee was briefly hospitalized due to severe abdominal pain and difficulty breathing. Fortunately, he tested negative for COVID-19, alleviating concerns about a potential infection.
Net Worth Calculation Summary
Chumlee’s $5 million net worth is built upon a combination of factors, including his earnings from “Pawn Stars” ($25,000 per episode), profits from his merchandise and candy store businesses (revenue details not public), real estate investments (demonstrated by the $1.375 million sale of his Las Vegas home), and other personal assets.
