Big Life Changes
There have been quite a few big changes going on in Corey ‘Big Hoss’ Harrison’s life. To start, his father just passed last month at age 77. Harrison took the loss hard and is dealing with some family issues because one son (Christopher) was left out of the will. In addition to that, he decided to take his health more seriously and underwent lap band surgery to get in better shape. Seems like it is working so far! He looks so happy these days!
Big Life Changes
Living His Best Life
Big Hoss was very motivated to change his life for the better. He decided to undergo a lap band surgery to help him achieve his goal. Besides the surgery, Big Hoss started to workout regularly and eat healthier. It’s quite apparent that he’s happier than ever!
Living His Best Life
Out Of The Spotlight
The cast members of Pawn Stars have undeniably enjoyed their fair share of fame and fortune. It’s no wonder that they rarely man the counter of the shop these days. After all, they now have the money to hire employees who can do that for them! That might be sad news for people who are itching to drop by the shop to ask for their pictures or autographs. But don’t worry, it’s not completely impossible: Corey visits the shop during filming or for administrative duties.
Out Of The Spotlight
His Contacts
Corey Harrison is similar to most people in some respects and this includes how much he cares for his closest friends. After all, this is pretty much how his friend Chumlee was able to land a position at the store. As viewers know, Chumlee is always a riot to have around, but that does not exactly translate to a good work ethic! Regardless, they have been friends for quite some time and this bond led “Big Hoss” to recommend his pal for the position.
His Contacts
Pulling A Fast One
One needs to be wary of the people that they associate with, but this is especially true when they have both popularity and money. Richard “Old Man” Harrison learned this the hard way in 2014. Vagos, a local motorcycle club, sought out his help to raise money for charity. However, he later realized that the funds were not going towards the intended purpose! Instead, it was being used to cover the legal fees of the group members! Not to mention the fact that the so-called club was actually more like a motorcycle gang.
Pulling A Fast One
Trouble Starter
Want to know another occupational hazard when you reach a certain level of fame? Some people will straight up try to mess with you in order to get a reaction! Corey learned this when he was out drinking at a Californian bar and ended up getting into a fight with another patron. It is not quite clear who started the argument, but “Big Hoss” ended up being arrested and spending a night in jail on obstruction and battery charges. Yikes.
Trouble Starter
Love Shy
Corey has had quite the tumultuous love life over the years. He got married to his college sweetheart Charlene but the union ended in divorce sometime in 2015. He found love afterward with a new girlfriend called Roxy Gonzalez. However, it was not a relationship made the last as it did not take long before the pair decided to call it quits and go their own ways.
Love Shy
Legal Issues
Did you know that “Big Hoss” was sued by his former agent Wayne Jeffries? This happened when Harrison and the other stars of the show fired him as their agent, allegedly under the orders of History Channel. According to Harrison, the decision was largely due to his disapproval of the concept of the spin-off Cajun Pawn Stars. Rick simply shrugged off the lawsuit. He said that when one starts earning a lot of money, it was inevitable that someone is “eventually going to sue you for something.”
Legal Issues
Not So Nature-Friendly
In 2012, Corey and Rick went on a camping trip together with their friends. However, it did not end well as the group left garbage all over the campsite! The result? They were each fined an amount of $1,000. It should not go without saying that “Big Hoss” refused to take responsibility for the mess. Instead, he blamed his companions, who were allegedly assigned to pack up and clean the campsite. It goes without saying that they did not hold up their end of the bargain.
Not So Nature Friendly
Age Gap
Harrison did not give up love even after going through two failed marriages. He exchanged vows for the third time in 2012, this time with the lovely Deanna Burditt. Evidently, Rick is significantly older than his wife. Of course, the age difference has people wondering about the relationship between Deanna and her stepson Corey. It also left people wondering about the way her presence will influence the direction of the show and the way Hoss will interact with her.
Age Gap
Being Honest
As any fan of the show will know, Corey Harrison is not exactly someone who avoids awkward conversations with his employees. As a matter of fact, he will only look at the person he’s meant to fire and tell them, “You’re fired.” All of this without even batting an eyelash! “Big Hoss” explains that there is no need to drag out a situation like that. “I can do with mistakes, but I can’t deal with stupidity,” he explained.
Being Honest
Personal Assistant
When you reach a certain level of fame, it can be difficult to do simple tasks like buying groceries or dining out in peace. So what does “Big Hoss” do to avoid inconveniences like these? Well, he actually decided to hire a personal assistant who will do these tasks so that he can focus on other more important things. However, his assistant also does other services for him, like clean out the septic tank of his trailer.
Personal Assistant
Past Experiences
We already know that Rick got married for the third time on July 21, 2013. Deanna, his bride, looked undeniably beautiful on the wedding day. However, unbeknownst to most people, she actually had to go through some difficult times before. Her former husband was even charged with sexual assault and distribution of harmful materials to a minor back in 2009. Let’s just say her dating track record was not the best before she met Rick.
Past Experiences
The “Bad Guy”
Corey Harrison once expressed that he often feels like he is painted as the “bad guy” on Pawn Stars. Nonetheless, he is actually fine with the situation. “There has to be the bad guy, the villain, the kind of mean one,” Corey further elaborated in an interview. “For a lovable guy, you have my dad. For the super smart guy, everybody loves the old man.”
The Bad Guy
How Real Is The Show?
When talking about any reality show, one question never fails to pop up: “How real is the show?” What you need to know about Pawn Stars is that filming only ever takes place when the store is shut down. Yes, that means the customers in the background are actually fans who have been cast as extras. That doesn’t mean it is all fake, however. The items and negotiations that go on are definitely real, so says the stars and producers of the show.
How Real Is The Show@
Trying To Be An Expert
In the pawn business, it is actually impossible to master everything there is to know. Even for the guys, it is not uncommon to overpay for something every now and then. The show might have garnered its fair share of attention, but there are people who go to the shop to see if they can outsmart the Pawn Stars. Corey said, “As many big scores as I’ve gotten, I’ve been burned a lot, too.”
Trying To Be An Expert
Dealing With Fame
“Big Hoss” was never one to shy away about the difficulties that come with starring in a reality show. The lack of privacy was definitely the biggest problem he has encountered since the show began in 2009. “You do crave normalcy. Sittin’ on the couch watchin’ the game and getting excused from an appearance are things I look forward to,” Corey explained. “Just bein’ me, the same old Corey as always.”
Dealing With Fame
Living A Dangerous Life
It is no secret that motorcycles are quite dangerous vehicles and that anyone who rides them needs to be mindful of their surroundings at all times. Corey was on his way to his 31st birthday party when he suddenly became aware that the bottom fender mount of the bike had broken off. He began to lose control of the vehicle and he knew that the bike would veer toward the oncoming traffic. He had to act fast— he chose to jump off and ended up breaking his arm in the process.
Living A Dangerous Life
Beauty Salon
If you are an avid television fan, we bet you are already familiar with some of the biggest stars on the small screen. Despite this, Corey Harrison is quite an unpredictable guy and there many things his fans don’t know about him. Did you know that he invested in a beauty salon-cum-bar on Fremont Street alongside his friend Darin Feinstein? The place serves drinks and hosts live bands at night, but it offers salon services and cocktails during the daytime.
Beauty Salon
Building Work Ethic
Corey might have inherited the family business, but it certainly took a lot of effort on his end. He actually spent a lot of his free time helping out at his grandfather’s store when he was just a kid. He began his career when he was only nine years old and back then, his duties were limited to polishing the jewelry pieces at the store. Sure, it was not the highest position, but it’s safe to say that it gave him an edge when he took on leadership positions in the shop.
Building Work Ethic
The Show’s Secret
Everyone knows that reality TV shows have a hard time generating a lot of interest. Despite this, Pawn Stars has been successfully on the air for almost ten years now. What’s the show’s secret? Here’s what Corey has to say about the matter: “The reason the show has been so successful, everybody has that one thing that might be worth the money. It could be something they bought in a garage sale, or grandma left them with. Parents also like the show because we train the kids into learning history.”
The Shows Secret
Real Estate
Pawnshops generally handle smaller items, but Corey also dealt in the business of larger-sized goods. Did you know that he even sold his house for more than $2 million back in 2016? The interesting thing about this is that he only bought it for half the price! Of course, we also have to take into account that he renovated the master bathroom and the kitchen. Oh, and let’s not forget that he also paid for a bar and a swimming pool in order to raise the value of the property.
Real Estate
Getting Married
When his divorce was finalized in 2015, Corey was hesitant about beginning a new relationship right away. This all changed when he met Kiki Nejo and it did not take long before the two began seeing each other. The relationship turned serious not long after and they finally decided to tie the knot in 2017. He is usually a private man so it was quite surprising to see that he posts a lot about Kiki on his social media accounts. That’s probably a sign of how much he adores her!
Getting Married
Seeing The Good
Corey Harrison does not always enjoy living under the spotlight, but he does know that this comes with its own set of advantages. For example, he can utilize his fame to promote the charities he supports. The man also likes to lend a hand to his friends whenever he possibly could. It is not at all unusual to see Harrison doing what he can for Las Vegas-based charities.
Seeing The Good
Famous Fans
Pawn Stars has a lot of fans but you may not know that many celebrities also keep up with the show. Corey has actually told reporters that he has had a fair number of celebrities drop by the shop. Apparently, some of them have even asked him for an autograph! This happens often enough that the employees were asked to simply leave famous visitors alone whenever they come to the shop.
Famous Fans
Weird Handshake
“Big Hoss” might no longer be severely overweight, but some habits are truly hard to break. Before, he had to do some things in a different manner to accommodate the extra weight. These included coming up with a unique method of shaking people’s hands: he had to do it with a raised arm so that his elbow did not hit his tummy. Things might have changed, but he still does it that way when he is introduced to new people. Viewers might notice this quirk every now and then.
Weird Handshake
Run In With The Law
Corey has also had his fair share of run-ins with the law. In 2014, he decided to take a break from a long motorcycle ride by stopping at a bar in Missouri. Sadly, he had too many to drink and eventually peed his pants while he was there. He proceeded to throw a tantrum when the management kicked him out and he even flung a bar across the room!
Run In With The Law
Having Fun
Pawn Stars fans know that “Big Hoss” is not likely to hold back on the budget when it comes to celebrating special occasions. There was even a year when Corey and Chumlee bought fireworks worth more than $10,000 so that they can properly celebrate the 4th of July. Moreover, they took the loot and a bowling ball mortar cannon from the shop to the desert for some Independence Day fun.
Having Fun
Bobbleheads
The Pawn Stars guys might be enjoying a great deal of popularity, but nothing can really last forever. It is thus important to the guys to make the most out of their present fame. After all, no one knows when the show will get canceled. For this very reason, they have delved into the production of branded merch like $20 bobbleheads. You can buy these items from the store and on the official website!
Bobbleheads
Chumlee In Trouble
On the show, it probably looks like the Pawn Stars guys always land into hot water. Well, that is not entirely untrue. Aside from Corey’s legal problems, Chumlee has also gotten into trouble with law enforcement. In 2016, he was arrested after the police conducted a search of his home. They found several illegal guns and drugs after an extensive raid.
Chumlee In Trouble
Favorite Visitor
Aside from that, viewers might have taken note that the same visitors regularly drop by in order to offer their assistance to the men. Corey has talked about how much he enjoys Jesse’s visits in particular. When it comes to expertise, no one can ever come close to “the Beard of Knowledge,” after all!
Favorite Visitor
In The Family
We all know how difficult it is to earn our parents’ trust as children. This is something that rings true for anyone who has been in line to take over any form of family business. We already know that Corey has been lending a hand since his elementary school days, but he still gets frustrated that the others don’t give him the credit that he deserves. Corey said, “I learn a lot from my dad and my grandpa, but I do things in a completely different way.”
In The Family
Interesting Investments
Aside from the shop, they have also tried their hand at other business ventures. Fun fact: Rick and Corey were once the owners of a Quizno branch! They went into the franchise several years ago and while they both invested in the branch, Corey was the one running the joint. Chumlee also helped out every now and then. However, it was not meant to last since they decided to leave the Quizno’s branch behind in order to focus on the other opportunities given to them.
Interesting Investments
Sibling Rivalry
When it comes to reality shows, it is not unusual to hear of family members who do not show up on the screen. This is also true for Pawn Stars: Adam, Corey’s brother, has never appeared on the show before. Although he used to work at the shop, he chose to go into the plumbing business instead. Corey once mentioned that there was “some type of jealousy” going on between them due to the success of the show.
Sibling Rivalry
International Fame
There is no denying the fact that Pawn Stars has earned its status as a hit show across the United States, but how big is it in other parts of the globe? To the stars’ surprise, the show is just as well-loved in countries like Argentina and Singapore. More recently, Corey was in the Philippines and he was likewise surprised that the show had quite a large following over there!
International Fame
Strange Behavior
Here’s an interesting tidbit: Corey and Chumlee once got into a fistfight before they developed their lifelong friendship. According to Corey, Chumlee mistakenly thought that Corey was bullying his sister but Chumlee told the story in a different manner. According to him, he simply started the fight as a prank! Regardless, Chumlee once pushed Corey down a hill and the two got physical the next time they saw each other. Apparently, Corey ended up getting revenge by winning the fight.
Strange Behavior
Friends For Life
The two might have started their relationship on the wrong foot, but Corey and Chumlee were still able to overcome their difficulties. The two shared a mutual friend and the three of them began hanging out. No one expected them to get along right away, but they discovered that they actually had plenty of common interests. Once they realized that, it did not take long for their friendship to bloom.
Friends For Life
Trying Everything Out
Growing up with a family business to later inherit, Corey must have experienced a lot of pressure as a kid. It’s only normal for kids in this situation to rebel against their family’s wishes at times. Corey himself actually tried working as a construction worker, electrician, and sawmill worker for quite some time. However, he ended up coming back to the pawn shop since it felt like his true calling.
Trying Everything Out
The One Ring
When you have been in the business for as long as Corey has, it can be difficult to be impressed by new items that come in. Despite this, Corey recalls the time when Brock Williams of the New England Patriots came to the shop to pawn his Super Bowl Ring. Williams only asked $2,500 for it, although Corey was ready to pay more for the item. Corey expected the football player to eventually come back for it, but he never returned to buy it again.
The One Ring
Dropped Out
Everyone knows that high school dropouts generally experience more difficulty when it comes to career success, but this did not ring true for Rick. Corey eventually followed suit and dropped out of high school in order to sell fake designer bags for as much as $2,000 every single day! The father and son duo are now enjoying a high level of success, but that did not stop Rick from buying college textbooks and learning for fun every now and then.
Dropped Out
Sales Slowing Down
Pawn Stars has helped them in myriad ways, but the show has also negatively impacted the business in a handful of ways. Let’s not forget that the store cannot operate on a regular basis since it has to be closed down to make way for shoots. The show has also brought in many visitors, but a lot of these people just go sightseeing instead of buying anything!
Sales Slowing Down
On Stage
You might not know this, but a stage show about the daily lives of the Pawn Stars guys was produced in 2014. The production took place in Las Vegas and the cast of characters was based on Corey, Rick, Chumlee, and the Old Man. The Harrisons actually helped the crew with funding. Sadly, it did not become successful and the show’s run was eventually cut short.
On Stage
Long Time Buddies
Aside from Chumlee, “Big Hoss” also has other friends employed by the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop. Among them is Travis Benton, who has been a friend of Corey since the two of them were 11 years old. He has been working at the store since 2005 and he eventually took on bigger positions and more responsibilities. These days, you will find him working at the store as the general manager.
Long Time Buddies
Passing Up A Purchase
There are many reasons behind Pawn Stars’ popularity, but the most obvious one would have to be the fact that people never fail to bring in peculiar items. When asked about the weirdest thing they ever encountered, Corey and Rick were unanimous in their answer. Apparently, there was once a man who brought them a duffel bag containing seven human skulls! They allegedly came from a dental school where the remains were used in training. Rick declined the offer, though it was probably not that tempting to begin with.
Passing Up A Purchase
Always Business
In 2017, Corey’s house was broken into by burglars. The scary thing about the incident was that his sister Jen was at home at the time along with her two kids! When she heard a strange noise coming from downstairs, she decided to check it out and found strange armed men going through their belongings! It’s a good thing she kept her wits about her and headed back upstairs immediately to call the cops. The burglars escaped but at least everyone was safe and only a few items were taken.
Always Business
Victimized
In 2017, Corey’s house was broken into by burglars. The scary thing about the incident was that his sister Jen was at home at the time along with her two kids! When she heard a strange noise coming from downstairs, she decided to check it out and found strange armed men going through their belongings! It’s a good thing she kept her wits about her and headed back upstairs immediately to call the cops. The burglars escaped but at least everyone was safe and only a few items were taken.
Victimized
Olivia Leaving
Olivia Black was one of the most popular personalities on Pawn Stars. Aside from that, she was also one of Corey’s favorite colleagues. A lot of people were understandably surprised when they found out that she left the show. Rumor has it that she was booted off because she decided to work on some racy modeling jobs. While she no longer appears on the show, Rick has mentioned that she is still free to work at the shop if she wants to.
Olivia Leaving
Customized Coins
As previously mentioned, the Pawn Stars guys know how much fans love to collect their souvenirs and merchandise. They decided to create other items aside from the bobblehead figures. They also turned $111,000 worth of silver into customized coins that feature the Old Man. The coins go for $70 each and they are available for purchase at the shop.
Customized Coins
Looking At The Details
Obviously, pawnbrokers need to be able to identify a counterfeit item whenever they lay their eyes on one. This is something that Corey is great at because of how much attention he pays to details. “You look for the way something is built. You see a Prada bag, and you look at the stitching at the back. If it’s a fake one, then they make it really cheap,” he explained.
Looking At The Details
Too Good To Be True
On the other hand, some fake items simply look too good to be true. This is a principle that they apply to diamonds and other precious materials. Corey can usually spot a fake diamond and it is usually a piece with zero imperfections. “There are very few perfect diamonds out there,” Corey elaborated. For this task, he uses a magnifying tool called a loupe in order to take a closer look at every diamond that is taken to the store.
Too Good To Be True
Making Up His Mind
His father and grandfather actually wanted to see Corey pursue other things in life, but Corey never seriously considered doing something else. He always knew that he would partake in the family business sooner or later. “From the time I was a kid, I knew what I was going to do. What’s even funnier is that my dad and my grandfather didn’t want me to work at the pawn shop, but I was dead set on it,” Big Hoss recounted. We’re definitely glad that everything worked out for the best!
Making Up His Mind
