Las Vegas Weekly

July 22, 2010 · 10:55 AM

Rick Harrison of Pawn Stars isn’t taking success for granted

By Robin Leach

Rick Harrison.

Photo: PR Plus

From July 14 through Aug. 4, Robin Leach will be relaxing under the Tuscan sun on his annual vacation and keeping his eyes on what’s happening in Las Vegas from Italy. Meantime, a kindly crew of Las Vegas celebrities and VIPs has agreed to write guest columns for Vegas DeLuxe.

By Rick Harrison, guest columnist

So here I am really just a normal, regular guy who likes to read books about batteries, history and mathematical equations. Everyone wants to know what it’s like to be famous, how did it happen, what’s it like to be a Pawn Stars star, what is better now, how has it changed my life, so I thought I would give it to you.

In the beginning, we were a small, family-run pawnshop on Las Vegas Boulevard toward downtown, and every so often, someone would do a story. It would run in L.A. or some place out of market, and our business and visitors would increase.

Photo: Scott Harrison/Retna/www.harrisonphotos.com

Corey Harrison, Austin Russell and Rick Harrison of The History Channel's Pawn Stars at the grand opening of B.B. King's Blues Club at The Mirage on Dec. 11, 2009.

So with all the reality stuff on TV, I decided that I wanted to check out the possibility of someone doing a show on my family and our pawnshop to help drum up some extra business. We talked to many production companies over a few years, and their concepts never really caught.

Then here comes this company out of NYC, Leftfield Pictures, and they were no-nonsense, East Coast mentality, and their vision was the same as mine. So we decided to work with them, and they sold the idea to The History channel. And as they say, “the rest is history.”

Did we ever think so many people would like the show? No! And I wouldn’t trade this experience for the world. However, please know that I recognize the sacrifices that come with the rewards, as we are fortunate to have millions of viewers and so many fans that they want to get a chance to say hi and shake your hand. That means a lot to me, so I try and always make time for them.

One of the best parts of my job is that I enjoy meeting folks who have overcome the odds to succeed and survive, whether or not they are famous. They inspire me.

Photo: TVT

Rick Harrison and Austin "Chumlee" Russell of Pawn Stars at Vegas' seventh-anniversary party at Surrender in Encore on June 19, 2010.

I know this isn’t indefinite. I want to make smart choices and make the most of the unbelievable and amazing gift I have been given with this show. I know I am lucky. I guess that is what I was hoping for back in the ’80s when I moved to Las Vegas, a town where Lady Luck is a good friend to have on your side.

A Gold & Silver Road Show featuring The History Channel’s Pawn Stars is at Suncoast on Aug. 7 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Rick’s co-star Austin “Chumlee” Russell shared his summer fashion tips in his guest column on July 14.

Australian quartet and Imperial Palace headliners Human Nature are tomorrow’s guest columnists.

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.

Follow Robin Leach on Twitter at Twitter.com/Robin_Leach.

Follow Vegas DeLuxe on Twitter at Twitter.com/vegasdeluxe.

Follow VDLX Editor Don Chareunsy on Twitter at Twitter.com/VDLXEditorDon.

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