A look at 'Pawn Stars' creator Rick Harrison and family following tragic death of son

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Tributes are continuing to pour in for "Pawn Stars" personality Rick Harrison and the rest of the Harrison family as they mourn the loss of Adam Harrison, Rick Harrison's second son.

Harrison died on Friday Jan. 19 in Las Vegas, Nevada at the age of 39.

On Friday, Laura Herlovich, a representative for the family, told the Associated Press that the family would like their privacy as they take this time to grieve.

Herlovich also said in a statement to USA TODAY Monday that Harrison allegedly died of a fentanyl overdose. "The fentanyl crisis in this country must be taken more seriously," Rick Harrison said in a statement to TMZ via a representative.

USA TODAY has reached out to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and the Clark County Office of the Coroner/Medical Examiner for an official report.

Rick Harrison and one of his other sons Corey Harrison wrote heartfelt posts to Adam on their Instagram pages.

Following the family tragedy, we're taking a look at Rick Harrison, the Harrison family, and the iconic business featured in the popular show "Pawn Stars".

'Pawn Stars' TV star son dies at 39: Adam Harrison's death allegedly caused by a suspected drug overdose

The Harrison family: What to know about the family behind the iconic show 'Pawn Stars'

Corey, left, Rick, center and Richard "Old Man" Harrison host of the television program "Pawn Stars." Photo by Joey L, AETN (cq) (Via MerlinFTP Drop)
Corey, left, Rick, center and Richard "Old Man" Harrison host of the television program "Pawn Stars." Photo by Joey L, AETN (cq) (Via MerlinFTP Drop)

"Pawn Stars" started back in 2009 and has always featured Rick Harrison, members of the Harrison family and of course the iconic business the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop. According to the business's website, the pawn store now reportedly receives up to 3,000 visitors a day and is one of the top tourist attractions in Las Vegas.

People wait in line to enter the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop in Las Vegas Monday, July 28, 2014, in Las Vegas. Rick Harrison, owner of the pawn shop and one of the stars of the reality television series Pawn Stars, has proposed building a shopping plaza on land nearby. (AP Photo/John Locher) ORG XMIT: NVJL101
People wait in line to enter the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop in Las Vegas Monday, July 28, 2014, in Las Vegas. Rick Harrison, owner of the pawn shop and one of the stars of the reality television series Pawn Stars, has proposed building a shopping plaza on land nearby. (AP Photo/John Locher) ORG XMIT: NVJL101

According to a biography on the website, the store was initially started by Rick's father Richard Harrison back in 1980. It was turned into the pawn shop that everyone knows today in 1988 by Rick.

Rick then worked with a production team to get the pawn shop featured on television. The show was eventually picked up by the History Channel in 2009 and the rest as they say is history.

In this Wednesday, April 3, 2013, photo, cameraman Joe Murgia, right, shoots a close-up of Michael Jordan memorabilia which was brought in to the Gold & Silver Pawn shop for an episode of the reality tv series Pawn Stars, in Las Vegas. Pawn sales at the shop, which is featured in the television reality show Pawn Stars, bring in about $20 million a year, up from the $4 million a year it made before the show aired. Turning small business owners into stars has become a winning formula for television producers, but the businesses featured in the shows are cashing in, too. Sales explode after just a few episodes have aired, transforming nearly unknown small businesses into household names. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson) ORG XMIT: NYBZ303 [Via MerlinFTP Drop]

According to the Las Vegas Journal and Review, Rick Harrison has a total of six children: 3 sons and 3 daughters. Corey, Adam, Jake, Sarina, Ciana, and Marissa. The outlet also reports that Adam, nicknamed "Wax", never appeared on the show but worked at the store when needed.

The only two children of Rick's they have appeared on the show have been his oldest son, Corey, and his youngest son, Jake. The other family member who was heavily featured was Rick's father Richard Harrison who was known as "The Old Man" on the show. He died in 2018 at the age of 77.

Richard "Old Man" Harrison died in 2018 at the age of 77.
Richard "Old Man" Harrison died in 2018 at the age of 77.

The show also features Austin “Chumlee” Russell, the childhood friend of Rick's son Corey. He is "just like a son to Rick and he’s been around the shop since he was a kid", according to his bio on the History Channel's website.

'Pawn Stars' continues after 15 years, 21 seasons

Pawn Stars. From left: Chumlee, Corey Harrison, Rick Harrison, Richard Harrison Photo by Joey L. Copyright 2015 [Via MerlinFTP Drop]
Pawn Stars. From left: Chumlee, Corey Harrison, Rick Harrison, Richard Harrison Photo by Joey L. Copyright 2015 [Via MerlinFTP Drop]

After 15 years, the show is now on 21 seasons. Season 21 featured 15 episodes with the last episode airing on June 28, 2023 on the History Channel.

A spin-off to the highly popular show "Pawn Stars" was created back in 2022 and features two seasons. It's called "Pawn Stars Do America". It features Rick, Corey, and Austin "Chumlee" taking their expertise and store on the road for some good finds around the country. The last episode of season two aired on Dec. 20, 2023.

According to the New York Post, Adam's death will not impact filming or airing of the shows. The outlet reports via statements from Harrison family rep Laura Herlovich and a History Channel spokesperson that filming for "Pawn Stars" will resume in February and that "Pawn Stars Do America" is set to begin airing new episodes on Feb. 21.

Contributing: KiMi Robinson, USA TODAY; The Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: A look at the 'Pawn Stars' Harrison family following tragedy