Richard Benjamin Harrison death: Pawn Stars' 'Old Man' has died, aged 77

'He lived a very full life and... touched the lives of people all over, teaching them the value of loving your family,' says son Rick

Richard Harrison, known as "the Old Man" on cult reality show Pawn Stars has died at the age of 77.

Harrison's death was confirmed by his son and co-star on the History channel show, Rick Harrison, who called his father his "hero".

“He will be tremendously missed by our family, the team at Gold & Silver Pawn and his many fans the world over,” Rick Harrison wrote in a post on Instagram.

“He was my hero and I was fortunate to get a very cool 'Old Man' as my dad," Rick said. "That I got to share him with so many others and they got to see what a great family man he was is something I am grateful to have experienced with him".

"He lived a very full life and through the History television show Pawn Stars touched the lives of people all over, teaching them the value of loving your family, hard work and humor," the post said. "We appreciate everyone’s thoughts and prayers and ask that we are provided some privacy at this time.”

Pawn Stars, is filmed in Las Vegas at the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop which opened in 1989. A well as the late Harrison and Rick, the show stars Rick's son, Corey “Big Hoss” Harrison, and Corey's childhood friend, Austin “Chumlee” Russell.

The show premiered in July 2009 and features a number of local experts who visit the shop to help evaluate the rare, and often strange items brought in to the store by sellers.

Harrison was known for providing much of the comic relief on the show, often chastising the younger stars.

One of the appraisers on the show, Steve Grad, tweeted his "heartfelt sympathies" to his good friends in the Harrison family.

In a statement, the History channel said: "We are deeply saddened by the loss of our friend Richard ‘The Old Man’ Harrison, a beloved member of the Pawn Stars family. He will be greatly missed for his wisdom and candor. Our thoughts are with the Harrison family during this difficult time."