Chumlee Net Worth; How Rich is the American Television Personality?

Chumlee is an American TV personality, businessman, and pawnshop employee who has become one of the most popular stars on the hit reality show “Pawn Stars”. He is known for his humorous and lovable personality, as well as his expertise in video games, toys, and pop culture items. But how much is Chumlee worth? And how did he earn his fortune?

Chumlee’s Early Life and Education

Chumlee was born as Austin Lee Russell on September 8, 1982, in Henderson, Nevada. He got his nickname from his father, who compared him to the walrus “Chumley” from the cartoon “Tennessee Tuxedo” when he was 12 years old. He grew up with his brother Sage and his sister Terra in a low-income family. He attended Eldorado High School, but he dropped out in his junior year. He worked as a pizza delivery boy and a DJ before finding a job at the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop.

Chumlee’s Career as a TV Star and Businessman

Chumlee began working at the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop when he was 21 years old. He was hired by his childhood friend Corey Harrison, whose grandfather Richard Harrison and father Rick Harrison owned the shop. The pawnshop gained fame after being featured on the Comedy Central show “Insomniac with Dave Attell” in 2003. Rick Harrison then pitched a full-fledged series to various networks until The History Channel bought it. “Pawn Stars” debuted in 2009 and became an instant hit. Chumlee became a fan favorite for his comic relief and his knowledge of certain items. He often negotiates with customers and makes deals with them, sometimes to the dismay of his bosses. He also has a knack for finding hidden treasures in the shop’s inventory.

Chumlee earns a nice paycheck for his appearances on “Pawn Stars”. Every time an episode airs, Chumlee earns $25,000. His total earnings from the show amount to about $8 million. He also makes money from endorsements, appearances, merchandise sales, and book deals. He has endorsed brands such as Sonic Drive-In, MetroPCS, and T-Mobile. He has also appeared on other shows such as “iCarly”, “American Restoration”, and “Top Gear USA”. He has also written or co-written several books about his life and career, such as “License to Pawn: Deals, Steals, and My Life at the Gold & Silver” (2011) and “Chumlee’s Candy on the Boulevard” (2017).

Chumlee’s Net Worth and Salary

Chumlee has a net worth of $5 million as of 2022. He earned most of his wealth from his long and successful career as a TV personality and businessman. His salary from “Pawn Stars” is estimated to be $25,000 per episode, which adds up to about $2 million per season. His income from his other ventures in endorsements, appearances, merchandise sales, book deals, and real estate also contributes to his net worth.

Chumlee’s Personal Life

Chumlee is currently engaged to Olivia Rademann, a model who appeared on America’s Next Top Model cycle 14. They have been dating since 2016 and got engaged in 2019. They live together in Las Vegas with their three dogs: Pinky, Mr. Furley, and Poochie.

Chumlee has faced some legal troubles in his life. In 2016, police conducted a home raid while looking into a sexual assault complaint against him. He was then detained on drug and firearm possession charges. He entered pleas of guilty to two charges: one of attempted narcotics possession and one of felony unauthorised possession of a handgun. He was given a three-year probationary term and told to get counselling. The sexual assault case was later dropped due to lack of evidence.

Chumlee is also an avid fan of sports and music. He supports the Los Angeles Lakers, the Oakland Raiders, and the Los Angeles Kings. He also collects sneakers, video games, and pinball machines. He has a tattoo of his nickname on his knuckles and a tattoo of Benjamin Franklin on his chest.