Rick Harrison has always been the tough-talking, quick-witted boss of the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop—a man who built his reputation on deals, drama, and the runaway success of History Channel’s Pawn Stars. But in 2025, the reality behind the reality show has never been more raw. From personal tragedy to public controversy, Rick’s world has been shaken to its core. Now, as the cameras stop rolling, fans are asking: Where is Rick Harrison now, and what comes next?

A Year Marked by Loss and Change

The hardest blow came early. On January 19th, 2024, Rick received the call every parent dreads—his second son, Adam Harrison, had died at just 39. The autopsy revealed an accidental overdose of fentanyl and methamphetamine in a Las Vegas guest house, a heartbreaking end to a quiet struggle Adam had waged for years. Rick, devastated, publicly blamed lax border policies for his son’s death, a rare moment of vulnerability from a man more often seen negotiating deals than confronting grief.

Adam, unlike his brother Corey, never embraced the pawn shop spotlight. He worked briefly at Gold & Silver but preferred life out of view, battling addiction with his father’s support. Rick tried to help, checking Adam into rehab and standing by him during recovery, but addiction’s grip ran deep.

Pawn Stars on Pause—and Uncertain Future

If personal loss wasn’t enough, Rick faced a professional crisis in February 2025: History Channel declined to renew Pawn Stars for another season. The show, which debuted in 2009 and became the History Channel’s highest-rated program, was suddenly on indefinite pause. Spin-offs like American Restoration and Counting Cars had found their own success, but the original was left in limbo.

Rick, ever the optimist, refuses to call it canceled. He’s actively working on “Pawn Stars 2.0,” exploring new platforms and formats. In the meantime, Rick and co-star Austin “Chumlee” Russell launched Pawn After Dark, a podcast that keeps the brand alive while sidestepping network legalities.

But the cast is changing. Corey “Big Hoss” Harrison, Rick’s eldest son and a fan favorite, has left Las Vegas for Tulum, Mexico. He’s not interested in contract renewals or returning to the show. Instead, Corey is starting a barbecue joint—Big Hoss’s Smoking Joint—banking on his celebrity to build a new life on the Caribbean coast. “My dad will work till the day he collapses. That’s just not me,” Corey explained. For him, Pawn Stars became more acting than reality, and after years of playing a character, he’s ready for something real.

Behind the Scenes: Drama and Disputes

The drama isn’t just on TV. Rick has faced his own share of conflict with customers and family. In October 2011, disabled Vietnam veteran Daniel Callahan accused Rick and his father, the late Richard “Old Man” Harrison, of assault during a heated argument over a rifle. The Harrisons denied the claim, and Corey later insisted neither Rick nor Richard was present during the incident. No charges stuck, but the story fueled rumors about Rick’s temper.

Other customers have described Rick as confrontational, especially when haggling over prices. One memorable incident involved a customer trying to buy a diamond-studded NBA ring Rick had reserved for his fiancée. When the customer insisted on testing the diamonds himself, Rick’s irritation boiled over, leaving the customer feeling threatened and disappointed.

Things escalated further in June 2025 when a dispute over pricing led to a physical confrontation. The customer called the police, who arrested Rick on a misdemeanor charge of attempted battery. Rick pleaded guilty, received two years’ probation and 30 days of community service, and publicly expressed regret for his actions. While minor compared to other reality TV scandals, the incident tarnished Rick’s reputation as the calm, dependable shop boss.

Cast Scandals and Family Feuds

Rick isn’t the only Pawn Stars personality to face legal trouble. In 2016, Chumlee was arrested after police found drugs and illegal firearms in his home during a separate investigation. He later pleaded guilty to felony weapons and misdemeanor drug charges, receiving probation and mandatory counseling. Chumlee returned to the show after completing his sentence, but the family-friendly image of Pawn Stars was forever changed.

Corey, too, has had his struggles. In 2023, he was arrested for DUI after failing a field sobriety test. Though he made bail and avoided trial, the incident raised questions about addiction and family dynamics.

The most dramatic feud, however, has been within the Harrison family itself. In 2022, Rick’s mother Joanne sued him, claiming she was the rightful owner of the pawn shop and accusing Rick of mismanaging assets, withholding financial documentation, and reducing her monthly allowance during her illness. Joanne alleged Rick tricked her into signing over control of the business while she was hospitalized. Rick denies all accusations, insisting he acted in the shop’s best interest. The lawsuit has faded from public view, leaving fans wondering if the family reached a private settlement.

Finding Light After Loss

Amid the turmoil, Rick has found a new source of happiness. In January 2024, he began dating Angie Palashkin, and a year later, he proposed during a romantic trip to Chile’s Casablanca Valley. The couple, despite an 18-year age gap, announced their engagement on Instagram, delighting fans. Rick gave Angie a 6.5-carat pear-shaped ring from his shop—his fifth engagement after four failed marriages.

For Rick, Angie represents a bright spot in a year of darkness. After losing Adam, facing legal trouble, and seeing his show paused, he’s found love again. Will this be the happy ending he’s been searching for? Only time will tell.

The Real Rick Harrison: More Than A TV Character

If 2025 has taught Rick Harrison anything, it’s that life is bigger than reality TV. The man fans see on Pawn Stars—calm, tough, always in control—may be just one side of a complex personality. Corey’s recent comments suggest that even the cast played characters for the cameras, blurring the lines between reality and entertainment.

Rick’s journey this year has been one of heartbreak, conflict, and change—but also resilience. He’s faced addiction in his family, legal battles, and the uncertain future of his beloved show, yet continues to push forward, reinventing himself and searching for new ways to connect with fans.