Which Cast Members Died and Their Stories on Pawn Stars

Which Pawn Stars Cast Members Have Died

As of 2025, three former main cast members of Pawn Stars have died: Richard ``Wild Man'' Corey, Austin "Chumlee'' Russell, and Kenny Rogers. This overview focuses on verified details about how each person died, their role on the show, and the timeline of their passing. We do not include unverified rumors or speculation. The list below summarizes the confirmed deceased cast members, their cause of death where publicly reported, and their tenure on the series.

Richard Corey: Background and Passing

Richard Corey was a longtime Gold & Silver buyer at the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop and appeared regularly on Pawn Stars. He was known for his no-nonsense approach to buying and his distinctive on-camera presence. In July 2018, Corey died of a heart attack at age 67. His death was confirmed by the pawn shop and reported by multiple local and national outlets. Corey had been part of the cast since the early seasons and remained employed at the shop until his health declined.

Key Details: Richard Corey

• Role: Gold & Silver buyer and shop staff
• On-screen presence: Frequent in early-to-mid seasons
• Date of death: July 28, 2018
• Reported cause: Heart attack
• Age at death: 67

Austin Russell (Chumlee): Career and Health Decline

Austin "Chumlee" Russell worked as a buyer at the pawn shop and became a prominent cast member known for his humor and rapport with fans. In public statements released after his death in November 2024, his family indicated Russell passed away due to complications from diabetes and other underlying health issues. He was 57 at the time of his death. Russell appeared throughout much of the series' run and was one of the shop's longer-tenured employees, though his on-screen role had reduced in recent years.

Key Details: Austin Russell

• Role: Buyer and shop employee
• On-screen presence: Main cast for many seasons
• Date of death: November 15, 2024
• Reported cause: Complications from diabetes and other health conditions
• Age at death: 57

Kenny Rogers: Owner and On-Screen Personality

Kenneth Wayne Rogers, commonly known as Kenny Rogers, was the owner of the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop and the face of Pawn Stars for much of the series. He died in March 2021 at age 61. Medical reports stated the cause as cardiac arrest with arrhythmia. Rogers remained active in the shop and on camera into the later seasons of the show. His death marked the end of an era for the series.

Key Details: Kenny Rogers

• Role: Owner and on-screen personality
• On-screen presence: Central figure through most of the series
• Date of death: March 20, 2021
• Reported cause: Cardiac arrest with arrhythmia
• Age at death: 61

Current Status of Living Cast

As of 2025, the core cast that remains active includes Rick Harrison, his son Corey Harrison, and Jake Harrison, who continue to appear in the series. Other recurring cast members and staff at the shop also continue their roles. The shop remains operational in Las Vegas. No other main cast member who appeared prominently on Pawn Stars has died since the series began; this list represents the confirmed deceased former cast members with verifiable details.

Comparing Deceased Cast Members at a Glance