“Pawn Stars” patriarch Rick Harrison stepped forward to speak at a public fundraiser launched for his son Corey, insisting he covered expensive medical bills long before they started.
The 60-year-old reality star shared his side amid reports of Corey’s ongoing recovery from a severe January motorcycle accident in Tulum, Mexico.
Accident and mounting bills
According to E! News, Corey Harrison, 42, was involved in a horrific accident that left him with 11 broken ribs, a punctured lung, a concussion, and internal bleeding. He was taken to a hospital in Playa del Carmen, and spent 14 agonizing days there before financial pressures forced him to be moved to a cheaper facility four and a half hours away in Mérida.At home in Tulum, the pain persisted, requiring home visits for intravenous fluids and morphine. The total tab exceeded $100,000, which Corey tried to address by draining his bank account and maxing out credit cards. His friend Aaron Chambers has launched a GoFundMe for $18,000 (although some reports indicate higher needs, according to E! News Online), noting that “appearances on television and part of Pawn Stars’ fame don’t come with a built-in safety net for emergencies like these medical crises that don’t care about celebrity status,” as The Independent reported.
Corey is no longer active in Pawn Stars but has received reboot leftovers, and has avoided strong painkillers since his brother Adam died of a fentanyl overdose in 2024. The campaign has raised thousands so far, with the goal of paying off rent arrears, medication, therapy, and returning to the United States to support the family.
Father-son dynamic
“Cory is a grown man and will deal with his life as he sees fit,” Rick first commented on the GoFundMe via TMZ on March 5. He quickly explained to multiple outlets, including Fox News Digital and Page Six, “As far as I know, I paid for all of Corey’s medical bills long before the GoFundMe came out.
He is a grown man in his 40s and is responsible with how he handles his finances.Corey admitted his father’s help to TMZ, and estimated that Rick covered at least half of the amount: “I adore my dad, but he doesn’t hand me anything. My dad has made me earn everything my whole life.” Rick welcomed the potential reimbursement but noted there was no formal plan: “It’s always appreciated to be compensated.”This comes almost two years after Adam’s tragic death, highlighting the difficult road facing the Harrison family. “I messed up pretty bad but I’m fine… 11 breaks in my rib cage,” Corey shared an Instagram update in late January, crediting crash bars with saving him. A representative confirmed Rick’s visit, and Corey is expected to make a full recovery after six weeks of bed rest, People reported.
