It was in the year 2009 when we first had seen the show on The History Channel. Since then, it has been a decade since its pilot episode, and the program has only gotten bigger! As of late, one of the reality show’s stars is currently going through a rough patch and hasn’t been doing well. Read on to see what is going on in Chumlee’s life. The reality TV show is based in Las Vegas. It would not be as successful today if it were not for the hilarious antics that the cast members get up to.
Here Is What Chumlee Of Pawn Stars Has Been Up To As Of Late
The Star Of The Show
Austin Lee Russell has charmed many viewers, in particular. If you would like to laugh, Chumlee is the person you need! In a little while, we’ll tackle his current issues. Let’s take a peek into his early life for now. Chumlee grew up in Nevada, but he wasn’t the best student at school, really. Chumlee was known to pay other students when he was a high school student to do his homework for him, as a matter of fact.
The Star Of The Show
Not The Best Student In High School
Before we look further into what is currently up to, let us first look at what Chumlee’s life was like during his early years. Not many people know this, but he actually had a hard time when he was young. One of which was the fact that he did not excel much in school.
Not The Best Student In High School
He Never Graduated
Like we have previously mentioned, he was known to have been paying his classmates to do his homework for him when he was in high school. Although we do not know how frequently he did this, it would all lead to him eventually dropping out of school before he could even graduate from high school. We are pretty sure that his peers were a bit shocked when this happened.
He Never Graduated
The Story Behind It
However, aside from his hardships regarding the academic side of things, he had a lot more to share regarding his hardships when he was younger. We all know him as “Chumlee,” and although the nickname sounds adorable, his peers definitely did not call him as such for a nice reason. Let us take a look at the story as to how he received his nickname.
The Story Behind It
Cute Nickname But Cruel Intentions
It wasn’t supposed to be a pretty nickname. Although Chumlee does sound adorable, they did not give him the nickname for a good reason. Where did they get the nickname they gave him? As it turns out, in the old cartoon Tennessee Tuxedo and His Tales, there was a character named Chumley. On the show, the character called Chumley was a fat walrus.
Cute Nickname But Cruel Intentions
Friends From Childhood
However, there is no need for him to worry as he had a friend that he knew he could always count on no matter what happens. Without a doubt, his dear friend, Corey Harrison, was always ready to support him no matter what. And as most of you may know, the pair could be seen on the reality tv show Pawn Stars together.
Friends From Childhood
A Friendship With Employment Benefits
During those days, the pair would always be hanging out at the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop, which was the business run by Corey’s dad named Rick. Upon reaching 21, Chumlee decided that he would be working at the pawnshop as a full-time employee.
A Friendship With Employment Benefits
Not What He Expected
Although there is no denying that you must have a certain level of precision to work in a pawn shop, there is also no denying that the work you do in a pawn shop usually does not require much skill or a certain level of prestige. It definitely is not a glamorous career.
Not What He Expected
Five Short Years Later
Luckily for Chumlee, it did not take long for him to have a bit more excitement in his life! After five years of working at the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop, the shop finally had its show, and the cameras started to roll! We can safely assume that the show made him enjoy his job there even more.
Five Short Years Later
Can’t Help It
With each season that they made with the show, it seemed like it would not fade as it kept on getting more famous and bigger with each season. Eventually, Chumlee was loved by the audience as he was considered the show’s comic relief. If you ask us, this was probably a natural thing for him as it was said that he always liked to joke around.
Can’t Help It
Not The Best Buys
A simple look at any episode of the show, and you can easily see that he likes rap, sneakers, pinball, as well as video games. How could you tell that it was the case? Well, simply put, those are the subject of items that he often targeted. Sadly for him, though, the said items are not always good for the business.
Not The Best Buys
Making Many Mistakes
Like we have mentioned before, a simple look at the show could also give you another insight into Chumlee’s personality. You can see that he is prone to making a lot of silly mistakes. This has been going on even before the cameras were rolling in the shop. An example of such a mistake would be when he placed a $20,000 bass against a shelf, in which the bass fell and broke.
Making Many Mistakes
Popularity For His Mishaps
His fellow cast members all love to poke fun with him because of these little mishaps. All you need to do is to watch Pawn Stars for you to see firsthand that his mistakes regularly occur in the show. Some could even say that it was because of these mistakes that he became a fan favorite.
Popularity For His Mishaps
Quite The Popular Guy
Chumlee started to garner the attention of the fans when the show was starting. In fact, he got so overwhelmed by the love and support that he received from the fans that he would need to have a bodyguard around him and his fellow stars whenever they would be making public appearances.
Quite The Popular Guy
Enjoying The Fame
He enjoyed the attention that was being given to him by the fans. Alongside his personal assistant, he made the best of the love and attention are given to him by making his own merch line. Because of how successful Chumlee was with his merch line, the rest of the cast decided to do the same thing.
Enjoying The Fame
The Fan-Favorite
While the rest of the cast did their best to make a profit with the fans’ love for them, none could do better than what Chumlee had done. After all, among the team, he is the one who is loved by most of the fans, as well as the most famous of the team. Aside from this, he also launched his very own candy shop in Las Vegas as well.
The Fan-Favorite
Quite The Private Person
Although Chumlee is not the type of person to discuss his finances, it became known that he decided to sell half of his shares in Gold & Silver to Rick in 2010. Because of this, he received over $155k, which in itself is already a large sum of money!
Quite The Private Person
Surprisingly Business Minded
Why did he do such a thing exactly? Well, let us find out! As it turns out, aside from being an employee of the shop and a part of the show, he mainly wanted to channel all of his focus on his merch side business. Even though he is a bumbler, we can’t deny that he does have many business sense.
Surprisingly Business Minded
Time To Make A Change
In fact, this was not the only change that he made in his life! As a matter of fact, just two weeks before Pawn Stars made its debut on the small screen, something happened, which made him want to start a new chapter in his life. What exactly happened in his life?
Time To Make A Change
A Healthier Lifestyle
At the age of 54 years old, his father died of pancreatic cancer in the year 2009. It was not a secret that he was not a person who was living a healthy life. His father’s passing catalyzed his life and became the sole motivator for him to change his lifestyle.
A Healthier Lifestyle
The Mind And Soul
He started to have a healthy diet by eating healthier food and committed to a regular exercise routine. He also started visiting the gym often, as well as started practicing yoga as well. He was a big fan of meditation and mindfulness on top of these things.
The Mind And Soul
Taking The Necessary Steps
He had a solid plan that would help him achieve his goal. One of the plans that he has was to drop by the gym six times a week. He also started to drink fruit smoothies and stopped to eat red meat. Do you think that everything he did worked? Let us find out!
Taking The Necessary Steps
Impressive Transformation
We are glad to say that all of his efforts were not in vain as it paid off big time! He had gone through an unbelievable transformation that everyone would surely be impressed with. Perhaps his transformation through his efforts will make you inclined to live a healthier life once you see its results!
Impressive Transformation
Healthy And Happy
It was sometime between 2012 and 2013 when he underwent his metamorphosis. We bet that you would find it hard to believe just how much weight he managed to lose in such a short amount of time! We were shocked by how much he has changed, so are you ready?
Healthy And Happy
A Major Change
Are you prepared to hear just how much weight was Chumlee able to lose in such a short amount of time? Well, all of his efforts led him to shed over 75 pounds! Although he indeed looks healthier than he did before, was he actually satisfied with the result that he had?
A Major Change
Turning His Life Around
For most people, the best part is losing a bit of weight would be the chance to finally wear your old clothes that would not fit you anymore. However, Chumlee was not your average joe! There was nothing more exciting for him than being able to ride a hovercraft, and thanks to his weight loss, he was finally able to do so!
Turning His Life Around
New Relationships
It was also around this time when he started to see a chef named Tanya Hyjazi. For those who don’t know her, Tanya is a chef at the STACK Restaurant & Bar. Aren’t you glad to hear that Chumlee was now a healthier man? We are sure that he is thrilled with the progress that he had made.
New Relationships
It’s Official
After dating for quite a while, the two later got engaged. At last, he finally mustered up the courage to ask for her hand in marriage. After the proposal, the couple has celebrated it twice. Once at the Royal Hawaiian Resort, and then another at the Andiamo Italian Steakhouse.
It’s Official
The Whole Gang
Of course, the event would not be complete if the lovebirds were not surrounded by their family and friends, in which they were delighted to have them around. Of course, the guest list would be in no way complete if Chumlee’s Pawn Stars costars Rick and Corey were not around!
The Whole Gang
Where Things Went Wrong
Now that you have been able to catch up on the life of Chumlee, we are certain that you would not expect to hear that things would start to go downhill for Chumlee. All of this started during the march of 2016. Are you prepared to hear about the first sign of trouble?
Where Things Went Wrong
All Charges Were Dropped
One of the first instances that made Chumlee’s life go downhill was when a case was filed against him by another shop employee. What case was filed against him exactly? Well, he was considered a suspect in a sexual assault case. Eventually, it was dropped because there was an insufficient amount of evidence to prove this.
All Charges Were Dropped
Just The Beginning
Although he could easily escape that problem, this would not be the last time he would be dealing with legal issues. In fact, we would even say that he could not stay away from such things. The next thing you would hear would most certainly shock you.
Just The Beginning
The Results Of A Police Raid
The whole ordeal began when the police came to his house to conduct a raid for another investigation. Although they failed to find anything that had any relation to the original case filed against him, the police were able to find a couple of interesting things there.
The Results Of A Police Raid
Illegal Substances Abound
Just what did the police find in his house? Well, the police found a gun, crystal meth, and marijuana inside his house. We are all well aware that all of the said items were contraband items. These items alone were enough for them to have a reason to have a closer and much more thorough look at the other parts of the house.
Illegal Substances Abound
Even More Incriminating Things
As the police visited his domicile once more to conduct the second raid, they could find a couple of contraband items among his properties. The police were able to find over 11 firearms on his property, in which only 4 of the guns he owned were the only ones that were registered.
Even More Incriminating Things
Chumlee Arrested
Continuing with their raid, the police found even more drugs in the house, as well as evidence suggesting that cocaine was taken in the place. Of course, the police knew exactly what they had to do. It did not take long for them to arrest Chumlee.
Chumlee Arrested
At The Very Least
After just a few months of his house being raided by the police, Chumlee ended up in court with over 20 felony counts to his name. There is no doubt that it is not comforting to hear this, but we are more than glad that they did not find substantial evidence.
At The Very Least
Nothing Illegal
They also concluded that Chumlee had not been using these items for illegal business. If that was the case, then there is no doubt that he would have been in even hotter water by then! We are just glad that it was not the case.
Nothing Illegal
Justice Being Served
He ultimately pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of weapons, possession of drugs, and attempted misdemeanor. Many think that he chose to do this to avoid spending any time in jail. He also received probation for a year.
Justice Being Served
The Worst Is Behind Him
If he opts to behave himself and not do anything reckless during this particular period of time, then the only that would show up on his record would be the misdemeanor charge. He only needed to go to counseling on top of this. If you ask us, we believe that this was the best-case scenario for him.
The Worst Is Behind Him
A Rough Patch
We only hope that he would be able to break out of this streak of misfortune in no time. The only question left is that will all of the things that had happened help ruin his career? It seems that this was not the case, but we never know for sure if this would be the same in the future.
A Rough Patch
A Hard Year
It was near the end of the year 2016 when the reality TV star took the chance to acknowledge what he had been going through finally. He was interviewed, and there he admitted that the year been truly difficult for him.
A Hard Year
Thanking His Supporters
Aside from acknowledging that he was going through rough times, he also used this opportunity to express just how thankful he was for his fans’ support. He probably would not have been able to go through his problems if it were not for the supportive messages.
Thanking His Supporters
Endless Gratitude
Please take a look at this photo that he posted on his Instagram account. It said, “I just wanted to give a quick shout-out to all my amazing fans that come and see me daily at @chums_candy – Thank you all for all the amazing love you show me.”
Endless Gratitude
The Fate Of Pawn Stars
We are certain that you are curious as to how well the show had been doing back then. During the time of Chumlee’s problems, there was a lot of speculation about what would probably happen to the reality TV show. Was the show canceled or not?
The Fate Of Pawn Stars
Back To Normal
We are delighted to tell you that up to this day. The reality TV show is still going strong and well! And yes, Chumlee is still a part of the cast, so there is no need to worry about him being gone. We hope that everything will be back to normal soon.
Back To Normal
Self-Improvement
On the days when he was in trouble with the law, Chumlee took time off and decided to take a break from showing up in Pawn Stars. During those days, he wanted nothing more than to improve both his mental state and physique.
Self-Improvement
500 Episodes
Pawn Stars is doing well if you wanted to know. It celebrated its 500th episode fairly recently. Chumlee decided to post this on his Instagram with this caption: “Come celebrate our 500th episode Monday night on History [channel]. This is something we could not have done without you!!!! Thank you!!!”.
500 Episodes
Thanks To Chumlee
We can all agree that Pawn Stars would probably not be this famous if it were not for Chumlee’s adorable and hilarious addition to the cast. He is a guy with a pleasant personality as well as a good heart. There isn’t anything to hate about this guy!
Thanks To Chumlee