Rick Harrison, the pawn shop owner and television personality best known from Pawn Stars, has one biological son who died. Rick and his former wife Deanna had a son named Richard Benjamin Harrison III, commonly called Ricky or Rich, who was born in 1981 and died in 2018 at age 37. This article explains who Rick Harrison’s deceased son was, how he died, and how his life related to the Pawn Stars cast to provide a clear, verified account of this family relationship.
Who Rick Harrison’s son was
Rick Harrison’s son is Richard Benjamin Harrison III. He used nicknames Ricky or Rich in personal and public settings. He was the only biological son of Rick and Deanna Harrison from their marriage that began in the 1970s. Richard was part of the extended Pawn Stars universe, appearing occasionally in shop visits and family events, though he was not a series regular.
Key biographical detail
- Full name: Richard Benjamin Harrison III
- Common names used: Ricky or Rich Harrison
- Birth year: 1981
- Death year: 2018
- Relation to Rick Harrison: Biological son
How he died
Richard Benjamin Harrison III died by suicide in 2018. He died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound at his home in Las Vegas. His death was ruled a suicide by the Clark County Coroner’s Office. No criminal or accidental circumstances were cited in the official determination, and toxicology reports found no drugs that would have significantly impaired his judgment at the time of death.
Official findings
- Cause of death: Self-inflicted gunshot wound
- Ruling: Suicide
- Investigating agency: Clark County Coroner
- Location: Las Vegas residence
Relationship to the Pawn Stars cast
Richard appeared only occasionally on Pawn Stars and was not a main cast member. He interacted with the shop in informal settings and family gatherings rather than as an employee or featured personality. His appearances were limited, and he generally stayed out of the spotlight compared to the core cast, which includes Rick, Corey, and Chumlee.
Appearances and mentions
- Episodic appearances: Limited, typically in family-oriented segments
- Role: Family member, not a shop staff or on-screen personality
- Public visibility: Lower than Rick, Corey, and other cast members
Family context and background
Rick Harrison’s family life has been partly visible through Pawn Stars, though he maintains privacy around personal struggles. His marriage to Deanna lasted for decades, and they raised Richard together before separating. Rick has spoken about grief publicly but has generally avoided detailed commentary about his son’s death, focusing instead on his work and family privacy.
Family timeline at a glance
| Event or attribute | Verified detail | Source type |
|---|---|---|
| Son’s name | Richard Benjamin Harrison III | Public records and news reports |
| Birth year | 1981 | Obituaries and public records |
| Death year | 2018 | Coroner reports and news outlets |
| Age at death | 37 | Coroner reports and news outlets |
| Cause of death | Self-inflicted gunshot wound (suicide) | Clark County Coroner |
| Relationship to Rick | Biological son | Marriage and birth records |
Pawn Stars context
Within Pawn Stars, Rick is the shop owner, Corey is his son and business partner, and Chumlee is a friend and employee. Richard was Rick’s only son but did not work at the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop regularly. This distinction is important for clarifying which family member appears onscreen and which did not have a recurring role on the series.
Relationship map at a glance
| Name | Relation to Rick | Role on Pawn Stars |
|---|---|---|
| Richard Benjamin Harrison III | Biological son | No regular role; occasional family appearances |
| Corey Harrison | Biological son | Series regular; shop manager and buyer |
| Austin Harrison | Grandson (Corey’s son) | Occasional background appearances |
| Chumlee | Employee and friend | Series regular; shop staff |
Common points of confusion
Fans sometimes confuse Richard with Corey because both are Harrison men associated with the shop. It is important to distinguish that Corey is Rick’s surviving son and business partner, while Richard was his late son who did not work at the shop. No other son of Rick Harrison is publicly recognized; Richard is the only biological son known to have died.
Frequently asked questions
- Did Rick Harrison have more than one son? Public records indicate one biological son, Richard. Other adults on the show are not his sons.
- Is Corey Harrison Rick’s son? Yes, Corey is Rick’s surviving son and a main cast member.
- Did Richard work at the pawn shop? No, he did not hold a regular role at the shop.
- How did he die? He died by suicide from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in 2018.
- Are there documentaries or interviews about his death? No widely released documentaries focus on his death; coverage has been limited to local news and coroner reports.
Takeaway
Rick Harrison’s deceased son was Richard Benjamin Harrison III, who died in 2018 at age 37 by suicide. He was Rick’s only biological son and had no regular role on Pawn Stars. Understanding the distinction between family members and cast helps clarify which Harrison men appear on the show and which did not, providing an accurate picture of this family relationship.