Richard Harrison, pawn shop boss who became TV star

The family patriarch known as the “Old Man” in reality TV hit Pawn Stars has died at the age of 77.

A Facebook post for his business, Gold & Silver Pawn, said Richard Harrison died peacefully surrounded by “loving family”. He had been suffering from Parkinson’s disease.

The post said fans would remember Harrison as a “sometimes grumpy (always loving, however), often wisecracking, and voice of absolute reason” on the History Channel reality show.

The navy veteran opened the Gold & Silver Pawn store in Las Vegas with his son Rick in 1981 and was catapulted into the spotlight when Pawn Stars premiered in 2009.

Within 10 weeks of its debut, it was the highest rated programme on the History Channel and the second highest rated reality show behind Jersey Shore.

Born in Virginia in March 1941, Harrison was of Irish descent. His family was not well off and the young Richard drove a school bus when he was 14.

Before his marriage to Joanne in 1960, Harrison stole a car and after he was arrested a judge gave him the choice of prison or the military.

He chose the latter and served in the US Navy for 20 years.

After Harrison was discharged from the military, he worked part-time in his wife’s real estate office.

The business collapsed in 1981 as interest rates soared and the family moved to Las Vegas with only $5,000 in the bank.

In March 2010, Harrison and his Pawn Stars colleagues were awarded the key to the city of Las Vegas by Mayor Oscar Goodman, in recognition of their success.

Richard Harrison was 77.