Pawn Stars: Austin Lee "Chumlee" Russell's Age, Job, Instagram & More

Summary Chumlee from Pawn Stars is 41 years old and got his nickname from a TV show character.

Despite starting as a foil, Chumlee became a successful businessman and opened a candy shop.

Chumlee is active on Instagram, showcasing his weight-loss journey and engaging with fans.

Austin Lee "Chumlee" Russell is a familiar face on The History Channel's Pawn Stars, and it's time to learn more about his age, job, Instagram, and more. Set in Las Vegas, Nevada, Pawn Stars revolves around the daily activities at the World Famous Gold & Silver Pawn Shop, a family-run business established in 1989. Pawn Stars' Rick Harrison leads the cast of characters as the head of the venture, joined by his son, Corey "Big Hoss" Harrison, and his father, Richard "Old Man" Harrison, who passed away in 2018. Chumlee rounds out the cast as a childhood friend of Corey's.

Each episode follows the crew as they appraise antique and rare items brought into the pawn shop, haggling for the best price possible. Chumlee remains central to the show, which has been on air since 2009. While Chumlee has experienced legal issues in recent years, the Pawn Stars cornerstone remains a key part of the show. However, his personal life isn't as prominently featured on the show, and there's plenty to discover about the reality TV star.

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Pawn Stars' Austin Lee "Chumlee" Russell's Age

He's Currently 41 Years Old

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Chumlee was born on September 8, 1982, making him 41 years old, and he was 28 when Pawn Stars first premiered on The History Channel. According to The History Channel, Chumlee got his nickname from resembling the walrus "Chumley" from the TV show Tennessee Tuxedo. The name stuck, and now, Chumlee is rarely addressed by his real name, Austin.

During his childhood, Chumlee met Corey "Big Hoss," and the two became fast friends. Five years before Pawn Stars aired on The History Channel, Chumlee began working alongside his childhood pal, Big Hoss, at the World Famous Gold & Silver Pawn Shop. The shop was opened in 1989 by Rick and the Old Man, but as their business grew, it was imperative to bring Big Hoss and Chumlee into the booming business.

Pawn Stars' Austin Lee "Chumlee" Russell's Job

He Opened A Candy Shop In 2017

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As depicted on Pawn Stars, Chumlee has been a loyal employee of the legendary Las Vegas staple since he was 21 years old. While he started out as a foil on the show, Chumlee developed shrewd business skills over the years. After over a decade of working for the Harrisons at the World Famous Gold & Silver Pawn Shop, Chumlee was able to start a business of his own. Chumlee's Candy on the Boulevard opened in 2017 and is located right across the street from the shop.

Chumlee was a foil on Pawn Stars and was used to make Rick, Big Hoss, and the Old Man look more competent. However, he became an excellent businessman in his own right.

Chumlee stood out as a fan favorite on Pawn Stars, and he was able to leverage his own image to sell merchandise and create a social media following. Early in the series, Chumlee is portrayed as not as smart as the Harrisons. However, his fame has eclipsed that of Big Hoss and Rick. Playing into his character on the show, Chumlee built a reputation of his own, solidifying his reputation as a successful businessman.

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Pawn Stars' Austin Lee "Chumlee" Russell's Instagram

He Posts Regularly For His Fans

Chumlee is quite active on Instagram and showcases his vibrant personality to his online fans. In a pinned post on his profile, Chumlee captioned, "brussels is a beautiful city so much rich Culture and amazing views. have you been? leave recommendations in the comments," garnering plenty of engagement from his dedicated fans. "You are the cutest and funniest thing ever. The only reason I watch Pawn Stars," wrote one commenter, while another said, "I want to buy all your merch!!!!" followed by a black heart emoji. The Pawn Stars cast member's account, @chumlee, boasts 816,000 followers.

"You are the cutest and funniest thing ever. The only reason I watch Pawn Stars."

Chumlee's photos on Instagram show off his weight-loss journey. The reality TV star revealed on the show that his father died of pancreatic cancer at age 54, and Chumlee wanted to take better care of himself. While he initially lost weight, he later went up to 350 pounds. According to People, Chumlee had gastric sleeve surgery in 2019 and lost 160 pounds. His body transformation is inspiring and is sure to lead to a healthier, happier life.

Chumlee's successes were marred by legal issues in 2016 when his house was raided following sexual assault allegations. Unfortunately, Chumlee's home held various illegal drugs, including marijuana and crystal meth, and firearms. He was forced to plead guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm and a gross misdemeanor of drug possession in a deal and served three years of probation. Rick also faced legal issues, making it a common theme in the Pawn Stars family.

Chumlee is a staple on Pawn Stars, and the reality TV star has grown immensely over the years. While he started as a bumbling, incompetent, and unhealthy sales associate on the show, he grew into a shrewd businessman who gained control over his health. He remains incredibly popular on and offscreen and has kept himself out of trouble since his legal issues in 2016. Luckily, Chumlee loves to engage with his followers and keeps his viewers updated on his latest business ventures.

Episodes of Pawn Stars are available to stream on Discovery Plus.

Sources: Austin Lee "Chumlee" Russell/Instagram, The History Channel, @chumlee/Instagram, People