Austin Chumlee Russell Net Worth (Money & Salary)

What is the net worth and salary of Austin Chumlee Russell?

An American reality television personality, businessman, and pawnshop employee, Austin Chumlee Russell boasts a net worth of $5 million. Known as Chumlee, Austin has gained significant popularity as part of the hit reality show “Pawn Stars.” Frequently the target of jokes from the cast, he is a lovable character at the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop located in Las Vegas, Nevada. His charming personality has made him a favorite among clients; however, his tendency to side with customers and struggle with negotiation has created some challenges at work. In spite of his shortcomings in haggling, his vast knowledge of video games and toys compensates for this. He often pleads with his bosses to buy certain game items or toys when they arrive at the shop, leaving his colleagues uncertain about the actual value of those items. Although dubbed the “village idiot” by his peers, Chumlee ultimately has the last laugh as he founded a company to manage his public appearances and sell novelty items along with custom-designed t-shirts. The success of his company allowed him to sell a portion of it to Gold & Silver Pawn Shop for distribution purposes.

Early Life

Austin Chumlee Russell was born in Henderson, Nevada, on September 8, 1982. He was given the nickname “Chumlee” at the age of 12 after his father likened him to the walrus “Chumley” from the cartoon “Tennessee Tuxedo” due to his round face and pronounced chin. The nickname certainly stuck. Chumlee has a brother named Sage and a sister named Terra. Among his childhood friends was Corey Harrison, the son of Rick Harrison and grandson of Richard Harrison. The Las Vegas-based Gold and Silver Pawn Shop was founded in 1989 by Richard and Rick Harrison, situated just a short distance from the Las Vegas strip.

Pawn Stars

At the age of 21, Chumlee started his employment at Gold and Silver. The pawnshop began gaining attention after being featured on the Comedy Central show “Insomniac with Dave Attell.” Following that airing, Rick Harrison proposed a full series to numerous production companies until The History Channel ultimately purchased it. “Pawn Stars” premiered in 2009, by which time Austin had been with the shop for five years.

Currently, Chumlee serves at the pawnshop counter and is recognized for his humorous antics. The show captures the events at the 24-hour Gold & Silver Pawn Shop in Las Vegas. Notably, Austin succeeded in persuading a local Maserati dealership to sell him a $100,000 car for just $85,000, showcasing his negotiation talent. “Pawn Stars” remains ongoing.

the top-rated program on The History Channel.

On “Pawn Stars,” Chumlee emerged as both a breakout cast member and a fan favorite. Having launched his own company selling novelty items of his design, Chumlee’s merchandise sales surpass those of his fellow “Pawn Stars” co-stars, largely due to his considerable fan base. To enhance the efficiency of selling his novelty items at the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop, Chumlee sold half of his company’s stake to Rick Harrison.

In 2017, Chumlee opened Chumlee’s Candy on the Boulevard, situated directly across from the Gold and Silver Pawn Shop in Las Vegas. Day-to-day operations of the candy store are managed by his brother, Sage Russell.

“Pawn Stars” maintains its impressive run on the History Channel, boasting 675 episodes across 21 seasons. A spinoff titled “Pawn Stars Do America” debuted in 2022, featuring the cast traveling across the country to seek collectibles in some of America’s most thrilling locales.

Legal Issues

On March 9, 2016, a police raid took place at Chumlee’s residence amidst an investigation involving sexual assault allegations. Authorities discovered crystal meth, marijuana, Xanax, and several firearms, leading to his arrest. The next day, he was released on bail. However, on May 23, 2016, he faced 20 felony counts related to drug and weapons charges. Chumlee agreed to a plea deal, resulting in his guilty plea to a felony weapons charge, unlawful possession of a firearm, and a gross misdemeanor for attempted drug possession, which granted him three years of probation and counseling.

Personal Life

Chumlee has a keen interest in vintage pinball machines and is an enthusiastic shoe collector, amassing more than 200 pairs. His hobbies also include playing sports, video games, skateboarding, and engaging with the Pokémon Trading Card Game. Musically, he favors punk rock and rap, and his favorite television series include “Boardwalk Empire,” “Sons of Anarchy,” and “Breaking Bad.”

Apart from his Maserati, Chumlee’s car collection features a Rolls-Royce Phantom, Range Rover, Cadillac Escalade, and a 1964 Impala SS. He takes pleasure in driving his customized 1986 Buick Regal, equipped with hydraulic lifts in both the front and back.

Before undergoing gastric sleeve surgery, Chumlee weighed 345 pounds, which reduced his stomach capacity to just six ounces. He has committed to working out six days a week and has transformed his diet to include more juice and vegetables while eliminating red meat, resulting in a weight loss of 110 pounds. His decision for a significant lifestyle change was influenced by his father’s passing from pancreatic cancer at the age of 54.

In March 2020, Chumlee experienced severe abdominal pain and trouble breathing, necessitating a rush to Valley Hospital in Las Vegas. Fortunately, he tested negative for Covid-19.

Chumlee is married to Olivia Russell, with their relationship evolving from friendship to romance. They got engaged in May 2018 and exchanged vows in August 2019. However, Olivia’s current whereabouts remain a mystery, as fans observed in July 2020 that all traces of her had been removed from Chumlee’s Instagram account. While Chumlee continues to reside in Las Vegas filming “Pawn Stars,” she was attending the University of California, Santa Barbara. He shared on social media that it was a challenging situation.

Although living separately, the sacrifices would, in the end, prove valuable.

Salary Per Episode

Chumlee receives a salary of $25,000 for each episode that airs of Pawn Stars.

Real Estate

In February 2019, Chumlee sold his home in Las Vegas for $1.375 million. This two-acre property, situated approximately five miles from the Las Vegas Strip, boasts a 6,200-square-foot residence, a guesthouse, and a backyard ideal for entertaining, complete with a rock-lined swimming pool. A unique feature of the property was the “Chum Chum Room,” which had a stripper’s pole installed. He had acquired this party house in 2012 for $1.1 million.