# Chumlee from Pawn Stars: The Warnings We Ignored
Austin Lee Russell, better known as Chumlee, became a beloved figure on the reality TV series *Pawn Stars*, which premiered on the History Channel in 2009.
Known for his humor and quirky charm at the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop in Las Vegas, Chumlee quickly turned into a fan favorite. However, behind the laughs, there were warnings about his off-screen behavior that many dismissed—until a shocking incident brought them to light.
On March 9, 2016, Chumlee’s life took a dramatic turn when police raided his Las Vegas home following sexual assault allegations. Though no charges were filed for the initial accusation, the search uncovered nearly five ounces of marijuana, methamphetamine, and 12 firearms, including an unregistered assault-style MP5.
Fans were stunned; the lovable pawn shop employee was suddenly linked to drugs and weapons. Released on a $62,000 bail, Chumlee faced 20 felony counts by May 23, 2016, including drug and weapons charges. His lawyer, David Chesnoff, negotiated a plea deal for a felony weapons charge and a gross misdemeanor for attempted drug possession, resulting in three years of probation and counseling.
If he stayed out of trouble until 2019, the felony would be dismissed. Despite the scandal, *Pawn Stars* production continued, and his status on the show remained unchanged.
Born on September 8, 1982, in Henderson, Nevada, Chumlee earned his nickname at 12 due to his resemblance to a cartoon walrus. A childhood friend of Corey Harrison, he joined the pawn shop at 21, five years before *Pawn Stars* debuted.
Often mocked by colleagues as incompetent, Chumlee proved his worth with expertise in pinball machines and collectibles like Air Jordan sneakers. His popularity led to a personal merchandise company, later partially sold to Rick Harrison for $155,000. With a net worth of $5 million, he also owns over 200 pairs of shoes and a collection of cars.
Personal struggles marked his journey too. Chumlee battled weight issues, losing 75 lbs by 2013 through diet and exercise, motivated by his father’s death from pancreatic cancer at 54. After regaining weight, he underwent gastric sleeve surgery in 2019, shedding 160 lbs by 2021.
Romantically, he married Olivia Rademann in 2018 after dating since 2016, enduring his legal turmoil together. However, they separated by 2020, erasing each other from social media without public explanation—fans speculate over age gaps or his busy schedule.
Today, Chumlee runs Chumlee’s Candy on the Blvd, a successful candy store in Las Vegas, and remains active in *Pawn Stars Do America*, a spin-off airing in 2024.
He’s embraced hobbies like Pokémon card collecting, sharing updates from events like San Diego Comic-Con 2024. Despite past controversies, Chumlee appears to have mellowed, focusing on wholesome pursuits and maintaining his weight loss. The warnings about his lifestyle were real, but his resilience shows a man determined to move forward. What do you think of his journey?