Richard “Old Man” Harrison of ‘Pawn Stars’ Dead After Battle With Parkinson’s Disease

(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Richard Harrison Jr., the patriarch of the long-running History Channel reality show Pawn Stars, has died. He was 77.

Known affectionately as “The Old Man” on the show, Richard was a staple of ‘Pawn Stars’ since it first premiered in 2009, documenting the daily activities of the World Famous Gold & Silver Pawn Shop, which Richard founded in Las Vegas in 1998. He was known for his playfully curmudgeonly personality, as well as for his vast knowledge of things brought to the pawn shop.

In a message posted to the pawn shop’s website, Richard’s family revealed that he passed away on Monday.

“With heavy hearts we are sad to announce the passing of our shop’s patriarch ‘The Old Man’ Richard Benjamin Harrison,” the message read. “Early this morning, surrounded by family and friends Mr. Harrison lost his ongoing battle with Parkinson’s disease. The team at Gold & Silver Pawn, Pawn Plaza and the Pawn Stars family is grieving his loss.

“He will be remembered as the best father, grandfather and great-grandfather you could have by his family and by fans as the sometimes grumpy (always loving, however), often wisecracking, and voice of absolute reason on the History television show ‘Pawn Stars’,” the message continued. “Services are pending and details will be released in the coming days.

“We have been receiving many questions from our fans asking if there is anything they can do, at this time we only ask that you make a donation to The Epilepsy Foundation in Richard’s name.”

Richard’s son and fellow ‘Pawn Stars’ cast member Rick Harrison provided his own statement to Fox News.

“He was my hero and I was fortunate to get a very cool ‘Old Man’ as my dad,” Rick said. “That I got to share him with so many others and they got to see what a great family man he was is something I am grateful to have experienced with him. He lived a very full life and through the History television show ‘Pawn Stars’ touched the lives of people all over teaching them the value of loving your family, hard work and humor.”

The 15th season of ‘Pawn Stars’ finished airing last month. It has not been discussed publicly whether or not the Harrison family plans to continue doing the show without “The Old Man.”

Check out History Channel’s tribute to Richard below:

7 Comments

  1. The show hasn’t been the same without him. I really will miss him. So sorry for Rick and the family.


  2. Very sad. For an ‘Old Man’, he really wasn’t that old! My thoughts are with Rick and all the family.


  3. He was a total hoot, and I always tuned in to see him.

    Sincere condolences to his son Rick and the rest of the Pawn Stars family.

    So sad.

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