Pawn Stars’ Richard “Old Man” Harrison did an exceptionally good job of combining a wicked sense of humor, tough love, and good business sense. He graced our television screens for about ten years, his presence bringing a good dose of magic and happiness.
So, when he went MIA from the television series for a time, fans couldn’t help but wonder, “what happened to the Old Man on Pawn Stars?”
We have the full story of why the Old Man is no longer on Pawn Stars.
Did The Old Man From Pawn Stars Pass?
If you have heard rumors that the Old Man from Pawn Stars passed on, we hate to confirm that this is not a rumor but the truth.
His son and co-star on the show, Rick Harrison, confirmed that Old Man died on June 25, 2018, at the age of 77 years.
“Richard Benjamin ‘The Old Man’ Harrison passed on surrounded by his loved ones,” Rick announced through his Instagram account at the time.
He added, “He will be tremendously missed by our family, the Gold & Silver Pawn team, and fans worldwide.”
Rick said his dad was his hero, and he was lucky to have such a cool dad as the Old Man.
His son Rick commemorated the Old Man’s honorable personal life, which he lived fully while giving his best to the Pawn Stars show.
“He lived a full life throughout the History channel series, Pawn Stars. He touched the lives of people, teaching everyone he met the value of loving your family, and the importance of working hard, and of course, humor.”
The Life and Times of Richard Benjamin ‘The Old Man’ Harrison
Richard Benjamin Harrison Jr. was born in Danville, Virginia, on March 4, 1941. His family moved to North Carolina, where he attended Lexington High School but only stayed until his junior year.
The young Harrison had to make ends meet, given that his family was poor. As a 14-year-old, he drove a school bus, which he parked at his house. He woke up early to pick up and drop off school children, a job that earned him 5 to 6 dollars weekly.
When he was still on Pawn Stars, the Old Man’s family would refer to his time in the U.S. Navy, where he served for more than 20 years in different roles.
In his book, Licence to Pawn (2011), Rick Harrison narrates that legend had it that the Old Man once stole a car when he was just 17. When he was arranged in court, the judge gave Harrison a choice to enlist in the military or go to jail. He opted for the former and started his military career.
He left the military in 1962 after completing his four-year term. But he reenlisted after two years to pay for his newborn daughter’s medical expenses. During his time in the Navy, he worked in several roles, including at the Tactical Air Control Squadron and later at the Commander, Cruiser, and Destroyer Group.
Harrison was a diligent worker and was promoted severally, finally earning the position of a first-class petty officer. He retired from the Navy in 1979.
In an interview with the Navy Times, Harrison said, “Out of the 20 years I was with the Navy, I was deployed about 10 years. I only left because I had three teenage boys whom the wife couldn’t handle.”
