Pawn Starsbad boyAustin Lee “Chumlee” Russell made headlinesdue to his drug issues and guns, showing his darker side, but he’s redeeming himself in 2024. This year, Chumlee’s softer, more endearing qualities shine through in a series of Instagram posts that highlight his hobbies and passions. He’s also spending time withhis controversial castmate, Rick Harrison.Bad boy Chumlee’s life has changeda lot since his law-breaking days.
Chumlee’s reinvented himself, even making the scene at San Diego’s Comic-Con.
Pawn Stars’Chumleewas the show’s mascot - he often provided comic relief, although Rick could be very funny too. It’s the wild personalities of the cast members that make the show so watchable. The popular reality celeb Chumlee used to be perceived as a gentle presence on the show,until his dirty deeds came to light.
In 2016, he was arrested on an attempted possession of a controlled substance charge. He copped a plea and was sentenced to probation. However, his sins did not stop there.
He Led A Double Life
Some people lead double lives -they’re angels in broad daylight and sinners in the shadows. The unlikely thug Chumlee was one of those types. It was shocking when Chumlee’s stash of drugs and guns was unearthed by law enforcement personnel. Chumlee (who now appears inPawn Stars Do Americaseason 2), as seen in the video above, admitted that he"smokes a lot of weed,“as perGlobal News. He’d been hiding:
He was"prohibited"from possessing at least one of those firearms, according to the source. People should never take ownership of guns that they don’t have a legal right to own.
How Chumlee Redeemed Himself
He Changed His Whole Life
Chumlee did his probation. He had weight-loss surgery that streamlined his body.He split up with his wife OliviaRademann, who’s now his ex.These were big life changes that left Chumlee at a crossroads.He needed to move forward, but how? The answer was posting more on an offshoot of his usualChumleeInstagram account. When he began to post at a newer IG page,Chumleecollects, fans got to know him a lot better.
Chumlee Just Posted About “Basketball Rips”
He Looks Slim & Happy In 2024
AtChumleecollects, he films himself doing fun things, such as opening packs of trading cards. In the post shown above, Chumlee’s decked out in a Stone Cold Steve Austin t-shirt. He seems sober, healthy and happy. In the clip, he shares some"rips"with his followers, one of whom classified the cards Chumlee got as:
weak pulls
Despite the"weak pulls,“Chumlee seemed to enjoy the activity. He encouraged fans to leave comments, and he probably reads all of them. This more lighthearted side of Chumlee ties into his career at the pawn shop, which is all about collectibles and making money off of them. However, Chumlee seems to enjoy the playfulness of"rips"rather than just wanting to make a quick buck. That’s what makes Chumlee 2.0 so endearing.
Chumlee was born on:
Jul 07, 2025
Chumlee is 41 years old and was born under the zodiac sign:
Chumlee Attended The 2024 Pokémon World Championships
He Interacted With Pokémon Fans In Honolulu
As hisChumleecollectsInstagram shows, he loved Pokémon - he’s often seen ripping open packs of Pokémon cards. Like another controversial star, Jake Paul, he enjoys the thrill of the hunt - both men want to find rare cards with cachet. In the post above,Chumlee attends the 2024 Pokémon World Championships in Honolulu. A giant blow-up Pikachu with a lei catches the eye as Chumlee uses his phone to record the scene.
Chumlee isn’t hiding in the shadows anymore, trying to shake off his bad reputation. He seems to be over the stress and turmoil of the past. He looks like a different person and his activities are remarkably wholesome. When he isn’t at world-class events or doing unboxing clips, he’s showing off his fun pranks,none of which will get him arrested.
For example, Chumlee spiked Rick’s coffee with sicky-sweet vanilla syrup, ruining the sweet nectar that is coffee in its purest form. Rick hated the concoction.Pawn Stars' Chumlee’s having fun in 2024 and seems to be in a good place in his life. It’s nice to see him happy.
