Toronto’s Cash for Gold Kingpin | Local Legends

[@mattsena7708]

Everyone who grew up in Greater Toronto Area or even southern Ontario knows who he is. A local legend really

[@owenmclain3327]

In the greater Mississauga area there is a Pawnbroker Oliver who runs cheesy commercials that play out on the Gypsie station CP 24. Yeah, we know about him.

[@ivanronin8209]

Yes a legend ok . Crooks ! just like Zelesky clowns !

[@ivanronin8209]

He is Honest now . But still a Crook and and a Clown Narcissist !

[@Cinema_Lover_]

True, from 6ix 😂

[@kACT-c5x]

OH YEAH!!! Can't tell you how many times i have seen that dancing girl one in the 2000's

[@Pebergriffin1]

I worked on his car once and he tipped generously. He even bought the whole shop pizza. Good guy in my book

[@mfa1744]

I was watching Breakfast Television one day and there was a kid on the show doing a fundraiser on the street and they were filming it. He came on, not sure if it was just a coincidence, but anyway he gave the kid a large cash donation on the spot, maybe $100 or more I don't remember. I thought that was generous.

[@700K-pp9wm]

@@hwyterrorist there’s a sucker born everyday

[@ivanronin8209]

Really ?? He is Zelensky and George Soros Crime body ! He is not in Prison yet ? He scammed so many people ! His Brother owns a Big Jewish bakery in NY . Diamond dealer too .

[@Elias-df6ki]

Yo momma was a good guy in my books!!!!

[@Pebergriffin1]

@@Elias-df6ki Ya she aight

[@hkmarhk]

I don't think people from outside of southern Ontario will understand how we feel when we see this video. It's like we know this guy all our life and it is the first time we really, really know this guy.

[@atriskyouthtv]

Well put

[@ThatHoserCanadian]

I'm from BC, and yet I still got this mans commercials all the time. This just unlocked a deeply recessed bank of memories.

[@hkmarhk]

@@ThatHoserCanadian Really? That's amazing!

[@ThatHoserCanadian]

@@hkmarhk Yep, I especially, and very vividly remember the "I'm the Cashman" video with all the chicks dancing with him as he sings.

[@RANSOME99]

The stack man

[@donnythompson237]

Lmfao, I would have never guessed that there would be a documentary on vice about Oliver

[@andrewq159]

Vice bizarrely alternate between serious news & current affairs to lowbrow trivia like this.

[@Gaetano.94]

Me and my dad saw his car the other day, the one with his face on it and face palmed so hard. I don't think my dad dislikes another person like him lmfao

[@handlenameonyoutube]

Same here haha I did a double take 😂

[@davemakesnoises]

@@andrewq159 just because you didn't experience the impact doesn't mean it didn't happen.

[@andrewq159]

@@davemakesnoises Impact?! He's a local eccentric.

[@multiple_oranges]

"How long have you smoked for?" "I just started" 😂 Toronto legend!

[@averywinders1363]

I can sense Oliver's mistrust and upset on some of the decisions his son is making. However, it is very respectable how he is allowing his son to really take it in the direction he wants. That takes a lot of effort.

[@Illigrown]

When he talked about slowly removing himself from the picture (can’t remember exactly how he worded it and ain’t got time to find the time stamp)… you could tell, he doesn’t fully agree but it’s not his baby anymore. Really admirable, but a little sad

[@John-ir4id]

I mean, think of all the major companies that would have sunk if they had not shifted their focus. Lamborghini started out making farm equipment - tractors.

[@royanderson3478]

What did Oliver's son do? Tell me 😮, I'll go to Yorkville and sell him some stolen Gold chains. Then I'll report the shysters.

[@ashadeofnight]

The son should let it stick with what it is or start a new company. You can't change a pawn shop into high end goods. The original advertising was too effector that!

[@oddomadic]

Oliver is a real one. His commercials with the girls dancing brings back great memories.

[@CamboyGDubbz]

We've hit peak Ontario Canadiana with this one.

[@dustizlehansome374]

Such a carefree and wonderful documentary. No angles were taken and Cash Man was fully channeled in his native form. Loved it!

[@JustinBatesMedia]

This was a great watch. Grew up with his commercials all over TV and radio. Surprised how self aware he is, seems like a funny guy

[@Illigrown]

I love how honest he is. He admits how much he lives for the attention and media. It’s refreshing in a world full of narcissists who want to pretend to be selfless on their social media pages…. This guys loves the camera. Loves the people. And admits to both!

[@spooley]

Nothing like waking up to a Russell Oliver ad after passing out in front of the TV. If he can't wake you up no one can.

[@m0mentum2]

Never would've guessed I'd be seeing this in my YT recommended. Cool to see he's just as much of a character in his day to day life as he is on TV, was also nice to hear a man at his age be so open about his experience with depression.. I wish him and his family the best with their business and in life, Russel Oliver you are most definitely a legend and one classy man! OH YEA! 😂💸

[@blairwilliams136]

Funny story about Russel Oliver. My brothers company upgraded the CCTV monitor in his store many years ago and I got the old plasma from his office. For years I watched TV with his store burned into the screens background. Fun to show friends when they came over .

[@morstyrannis1951]

This video was not what I expected at all. I live in Vancouver which is about as far from Toronto as you can get in Canada. I had heard of this character from friends who lived in Ontario. What an interesting story. He comes across as a much more genuine and sympathetic character than I ever would have guessed. Bravo for the open discussion about depression and how he’s managing it. This was a good one, Vice.

[@dvvidw]

Always good to see people get help with depression.

[@RoulinBrooks]

I always see his commercials when I have a doctor's appointment because the TVs are always set to CP24. I generally roll my eyes, but there's something sort of weirdly endearing about Russell Oliver. Also, years ago there was a piece in The New Yorker magazine about the biggest pawn shop magnates in Toronto. The article said that Russell Oliver was definitely the most honest and fair of the lot. I don't know why that guy sitting at the table ("Tacky Man") had to be such a jerk. For better or for worse, Russell Oliver IS a legend.

[@Alsatiagent]

He's wealthy but not as wealthy as Russell Oliver so that constitutes a narcissistic injury. Maybe he's just an anti-semite.

[@lg8587]

The guy at the table was being a dick 😂

[@brianallison1913]

Did you notice how lady-like they had their legs crossed while sitting there?

[@srirachaaaa]

This comment section is a true testament to how much positivity and influence this man has had on the GTA community. A marketing master

[@tidusfantasy]

i was only a foreign student in U of Toronto for 4 years in the mid 2000s, and i know who he is.... What a legend!

[@dennispremoli7950]

His voice and demeanor surely is what inspired Danny DeVito's "Trash Man" hahaha

[@fightvale57]

Omg...totally. I just love learning references like 15 years after an air date❤

[@caramazzola2399]

Oh!!

[@HerculesRockefellerESQ]

I wanna know when we are going to meet the real life Dr. Mantis Toboggan, MD.

[@glenncooney3959]

As a regular visitor to Toronto, he’s always a mainstay on my hotel tv. It’s nice to know that he is a good person and not a façade. Those ads are very kitschy but local TV in Toronto isn’t the same without them. Oh yeah!

[@dariusbaja21]

" Look rich , stay rich all that nonsense " LOL Always seen this guy on tv since a child , seems like a genuinely cool ass laidback guy . I think he also likes drugs a lot 😂

[@Toy1er]

Tbf drugs kind of rule.

[@fleenormality]

“No no no no, I blew it all on drugs and girls and gambling, oh we used to play throughout night. Oh man it was a beautiful time” What a legend 😂

[@Toy1er]

His honesty was great. As a fellow drug-lover, I could relate to his excitement about receiving anesthetics at the hospital after being shot.

[@randyc7351]

This guy is an open book... He never took himself too seriously either. Kind of refreshing there are people like this guy still around.

[@reillyyugehands481]

Open crook.

[@randyc7351]

@@reillyyugehands481 how did he Rio you off ?

[@aaronchyea]

Growing up as a kid in Hamilton I would see Oliver's commercials all the time! At an early age I probably didn't even understand fully what his whole business was, but he still had the most entertaining commercials. It was interesting to get a glimpse of his earlier years, and nostalgic to see some of those commercials again. Glad to see he's still doing relatively well and taking good care of himself. Oh yeahh!

[@Toy1er]

His business essentially amounts to giving cash to drug addicts in return for stolen items. Real classy biz.

[@aaronchyea]

@@Toy1er I've never actually thought of it this way. However even if that is true, it sounds more like a law enforcement issue.

[@cccc285]

Yeah no seriously grew up in Shwa and he was what I thought adults were supposed to be 😂😂

[@cccc285]

@@Toy1erOntario is an open drug market anyways dude

[@colepritchard3052]

Honestly love this, Oliver the classman truly represents what Toronto is all about. He is part of the culture here.

[@oneeks5908]

Lol my son is three and whenever the commercial comes on he yells “the cash man” 😂

[@agea3280]

Fantastic segment! Cashman is a Toronto ICON 💰

[@andrewq159]

A mere local eccentric.

[@andrewq159]

@Soviet 0nion Saying he's not suitable for a documentary isn't hating. His age has nothing to do with it.

[@andrewq159]

@Soviet 0nion I watched less than a minute of it. Like the vast majority of people, I hadn't previously heard of him.

[@Lord_Dingbat]

I live in Ottawa amd I've seen his commercials many times growing up in the 90's and early 2000's

[@Lord_Dingbat]

​@@andrewq159 If you lived in Canada you would most likely have seen his advertisements

[@missluna]

I appreciate this man’s hustle

[@DudesIn101]

I'm glad Russell was able to live out his dreams before he woke up to the real nightmare . He's funny as hell too,I'm thinking about selling my old gold to him instead of anyone else just for the experience, seriously!

[@michaelh4227]

Seen his commercials all the time as a kid and I'm glad he's doing well, especially after the pandemic. Really nice to see he's a really down to earth guy when you hear him in person.

[@kjames245]

When my daughter was 2 yrs old and that dancing girls Cashman song would come on the tv she'd drop whatever she was playing with and come running to dance her little butt off to that song, then calmly go back to her toys once it was done. Such nostalgia 😊

[@munkyzzb7504]

Love his honesty. A lot of people won't admit they want attention

[@wafaalmasri2891]

haha, the one with him in the blazer - when Russell zooms his face and says 'OH YA', it scares the hell out of my 2yr old. Now he cries whenever he sees the ad 🤣

[@oliverdechazal1126]

"I don't wanna waste 15 seconds crossing the road... what for!?" Absolute legend

[@andrewq159]

At most he's a local eccentric.

[@andrewq159]

@@JJONNYREPP About 99% of people haven't heard of him.

[@andrewq159]

@@JJONNYREPP He doesn't even have a Wikipedia article.

[@andrewq159]

@@JJONNYREPP Wikipedia has notability requirements which he doesn't meet.

[@davemakesnoises]

@@andrewq159 wow this guy got you pressed

[@TheStrengthNU]

As someone who has grown up seeing Oliver's commercials, after watching this I like him even more. Can't knock his hustle lol

[@sophiaisabelle027]

Seems like his legacy will continue to live on for a lifetime. He's made such a drastic impact over time.

[@andrewq159]

Be serious - he's no more than a local eccentric.

[@apoc519]

@@andrewq159 ​ This guy is well known in Canada to anyone over 30

[@andrewq159]

@@apoc519 Less than half a percent of the world's population live in Canada.

[@StacksSats]

Toronto Police raided his home for buying stolen jewellery year ago? lol

[@anthonymaughan6103]

​​​@@StacksSatsI imagine he's got his finger in several pie's fella👍

[@abbath1586]

He definitely seems less greasy now than in the 90s/2000s. I think Harold takes the crown for king of grease salesman. Kudos to his son for taking the direction they are, times are changing and his son knows it.

[@MaciarelliSpinelli]

Sometimes the "I'll give you money for your gold" song pops into my head. Probably haven't seen the commercial for 20 years. Genius advertising. Also the 98.1 CHFI theme song from the late 90's still gets stuck in my head.

[@davemakesnoises]

CHFI 98.1......Torontooooooo

[@certhal86]

This is the definition of an eccentric. I love this guy

[@khrishnakumarigossai6559]

This is very nostalgic even for me. One of the few commercials I looked at and enjoyed. Thank you, Russell Oliver, Oh Yeah!

[@brookboussaken3887]

This was surprisingly wholesome and uplifting, old in age young in the heart 😎😎

[@snazzy1995]

cash man wasn’t the hero we wanted. He was the hero we always needed

[@StacksSats]

pawned your jewellery to buy crack?

[@SecretWars98]

Amazing, really can’t hate on the fact that his giddy unapologetic personality worked on so many, solid gold baby! 😂

[@angelazsz]

THIS GUY IS A LEGEND. his commercials have played on tv for over 20 years. everyone knows about him. i’ve never actually been to his shop but he’s an icon

[@aqiftyta31]

So excited to see a short doc on him! I have always seen him on TV but never knew much about him

[@v12smooth82]

So many great memories from decades of old school style commercials. Thanks Russell :)

[@ennvisionn]

7:25 The OG clout demon 😂😂

[@maxN7]

The honesty of this man is so refreshing. Much respect.

[@strayferal]

I lived in Toronto for 11 years and while I don't watch TV, I watch the news at the office lunch break and Oliver is so much Toronto.

[@nicoydavis]

lmfao, my neice, who at the time was 5 year old, autistic and struggling with speech. Would run to the TV as soon as she heard Oliver's voice and it didn't matter if she was upstairs or in the backyard. She'd shout "Oh Yea!!!" along with him.

[@KingDennisJensen]

Been living in Ontario for 30 years, he's had the greatest commercials as far as I can remember lmao, this was such a pleasant surprise to see him on VICE.

[@jaked6746]

Anyone else peep the “Cashman is Gay OH YEAH” poster as he’s walking out of the “RussellMania” event I’m crying pause at 3:38

[@Simon-qw4yf]

Been scrolling for a while and im yet to come across a negative comment. How refreshing, the man is a legend for achieving that.

[@Mile-long-list]

I've been watching this legend on tv popping up on commercials or interviews since I live near Toronto. He is hilarious but a very shrewd business man. Ohhhh yeahhhhh

[@HerculesRockefellerESQ]

This was actually really good. I think everyone always kinda pictured this guy kind of like a real-life cartoon character. Definitely a lot more "everyman" attitude when he's not advertising.

[@sussvarman]

I worked in a candy store on Bloor Street (Bulk Mine) and he was a regular! He was super super nice and his caller ID even said "cash man", one of the more surreal calls of my life. He regularly bought British chocolate for his wife, is much taller than he appears in commercials and was nice enough to take a photo with me.

[@silvarnk612]

This man defined my early childhood here in Canada. Couldn't watch CP24 without seeing his adds between broadcasts lol

[@pnf197]

A completely romanticized story of Russell Oliver a true character of character. It was hinted often though when Cashman talks about women and drugs -- there was a hec of lot more of that in his life, destructive, possibly criminal events that were not covered in this story. Nevertheless, good on you Vice for bagging a bag man! I'm a Torontonian, and of course I know who he is, met him, and there's nothing really bad about him, other than his avarice and lust.

[@Dexy83]

I adore this man! We need more Mr. Oliver!

[@SamSlugg456]

Bro called him tack man to his face lol wild

[@thegoldenhippo7936]

Love this guy! Grew up in London Ontario and always saw him haha Seems so genuine

[@Mahmoud-mk9rw]

This man is an absolute treasure thanks for sharing him with us Canada

[@marihutten]

Wouldn't be amazing if this video had ads and the youtube version of his ad just started playing halfway through but you don't stop because you think it's part of the documentary.

[@mdogzino]

I admire his self-awareness & down to earth honesty. Very endearing

[@matthewblake1884]

Watching him finally hit the promo at the end after struggling with it before made my day

[@lilytea3]

0:01: ! Russell Oliver, also known as the Cashman, shares his journey from being a nightclub owner to a successful jewelry business owner. 3:22: 😱 A retired man reflects on his life of fame and the armed robbery he experienced in his store. 6:40: 💼 Russell Oliver recounts a thrilling incident where he chased after thieves, got shot in the foot, and received publicity for it. 9:45: 🎩 Russell Oliver is transitioning his brand from Cashman to Classman in order to sell luxury brands. 13:25: 🎥 Russell Cashman, also known as Classman, reflects on his struggles with memorization and his persona as a commercial character in Yorkville. 16:30: 😔 The speaker discusses their experience with depression and their decision to seek help and make positive changes in their life. Recap by Tammy AI

[@CanadianBusLiving]

Love this interview, growing up in the 90's near Toronto i definitely know the Cashman

[@TheSlizzer348]

He seems like such a nice guy, idk why that dude had to be rude to him

[@cccc285]

This guy is one of the examples I can always give for og Toronto area television, a lot more realistic but blunt than American television during these times. Saw him at one of the rib fests and said hi gave him space and as everyone else was being surprisingly respectful someone you could have banter with and it never just felt like useless small talk, local legend for sure and he has a place in my memory that has been there since I can remember honestly. I know how he feels about the higher production commercials he just doesn’t have the same excitement and enthusiasm for it as his own productions.

[@Luke0151]

It's literally Frank Reynolds

[@dees.daniel7]

I did security detail for him for a few years. Always treated me with respect and I enjoyed working his door.

[@BaPorscheFan]

Brilliant. A legend and proud to have him here part of our beloved city. Oh Yeah!!!!!!

[@SeanRosairo]

Russel Oliver is a true Toronto icon. He's so genuine in this interview. CP24 might sensationalize local news, but whenever his ads pop up, it makes it a little better.

[@SamSlugg456]

The way he says Cartier is wild lol

[@zooski1516]

I’m from Toronto and there are many stories I could tell you about him. Maybe 10% good 50% shady and 40% illegal. Allegedly ;)

[@Polyfusia]

I'd watch a whole series about this guy.

[@Candaba]

better call saul?

[@Shams396]

My childhood on CP24 😂😂😂

[@animatedbreak]

That's where I saw em the most! yesss

[@brando19872]

I remember seeing his commercials on air many times then he happened to opened one of his shops on brock road in Pickering, Ontario. The cash man is a legend!

[@jetlowruderzzz]

I love this guy so much . His commercials gave me so many smiles

[@Shramper_]

Well this video was a pleasant surprise! See, I didn't consent to this guy being a part of my childhood whenever I ate breakfast and watched tv before going to school everyday. And as corny as the songs and acting was, I couldn't help but be endeared by it and get the damn song stuck in my head every morning. I'd like to imagine the equal amounts of "Harold the Jewelry Buyer" commercials running against Cash 4 Gold helped Russel get even more popular. He probably wanted to be more professional, but he was about as charming as the rocks gold comes from compared to Cashman. Glad to see Russel taking it easy now and trying to shift his priorities from the excitement of his work too. I'd say that robbery alone certainly earned him some rest.

[@SamSlugg456]

I’m from Canada’s pants (the US) and I’ve never heard of this guy. What a strange but oddly relatable family lol

[@beniz43]

you wouldn't see his commercials unless from the Toronto area.

[@aaronbenhaggai973]

I remember his commercials growing up in toronto when i was a kid he was everywhere

[@deo8375]

This guys ads on CP24 was the only ad I remember, legendary dude

[@enjoythesilence6883]

I like this guy, he seems pretty genuine

[@spinespindle9872]

Amazing journalism from Vice, media titans💪🏻

[@Burgerss]

Seen this guy so much on the commercials when I was younger.

[@innershawnti]

I actually love this. What a Legend. I was always laughing at the commercials, but obviously the outlandish ways have done their magic. xD

[@matrepharaoh8260]

“Unlike me, he loves his family.” They definitely has an argument before and that came up lol

[@Tech__Tom]

In case the transition from CASHMAN to CLASSMAN doesn't work out, Kramer from Seinfeld can be yet another inspiration: ASSMAN

[@manks5491]

Grew up with this man screaming at me on tv every morning before school

[@Eusantdac]

Ya, impossible to have lived through the 90s in Toronto without knowing about this guy. He bombarded the airways with those annoying commercials. I couldn't stand them but they did the job so, good for him.

[@68hoffman]

as a american ..i have never heard of the cash man before ..but candians are a friendly people and i can see why they all like to introduce themselves ..he is a TV icon ..and i dig his kids have taken the business into the future ..and i wish them all the best of luck :)

[@Ashley-py2yp]

I’m the Cash Man, I give you money for your gold, ohhh yeahhhhh !!!!!! 😂❤🎉

[@paullansville]

I've been watching Oliver ever since I came to this beautiful country from the Caribbean in 1995 and almost 28 years later I'm still watching him doing his thing "OH YEAH".🙏🏼👍🏼

[@victorchebur]

i grew up watching him. so glad hes still healthy

[@bradyeaton155]

Do one on Dodd from Dodds Furniture and Mattress in Victoria, BC. Western Canadian legend!

[@beniz43]

I always remember the commercials growing up. a classic Toronto icon

[@owendavies8113]

This was awesome! Thanks Vice for bringing back these memories!

[@lg8587]

Wow, his commercial came on my TV as I was watching this video 😂

[@RyanStonedonCanadianGaming]

Man's commercial is engraved into my brain.