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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rudolf_Wanderone

hopefully.

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I wasn't there when the novel was written, so I don't claim to know the truth. However, I will throw in as a matter of perspective that I think a lawyer would tell Mr. Tevis to deny any relation between "Minnesota Fats" in the novel and any real person. Mr. Wanderone went by the nick name "New York Fats" prior to the publication of the novel. He changed it to "Minnesota Fats" after it became popular. The general impression that I have gotten is that books and movies always deny any relation to any person living or dead unless they histories/documentaries. I think that if Mr. Tevis publicly admitted that "Minnesota Fats" was based on Rudolph Wanderone it would have given him an open door to make financial claims or complaints on the book and the movie. So, regardless of the reality, it is to Mr. Tevis's interest to deny that the character is based on a real person, even Donald Duck.
The best diplomat I know is a fully charged phaser bank.

Dont know, had my both thumbs broken at the time.
Resistance is impolite, Friendship is mandatory.

Was he any good?

I once played pool with Donald Duck.

Love the Christian, Hate the Dogma

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From the author who wrote the original novel:
"I once saw a fat pool player with a facial tic. I once saw another pool payer who was physically graceful. Both were minor hustlers, as far as I could tell. Both seemed loud and vain with little dignity and grace, unlike my fat pool player. After THE HUSTLER was published, one of them claimed to "be" Minnesota Fats.
"That is ridiculous. I MADE UP Minnesota Fats name and all as surely as Disney made up Donald Duck."
This is from the paperback edition of the novel, by Walter Tevis, dated 1976. Draw your own conclusions.

Yes there was a real Minnasota Fats. I played pool with him in Youngstown Ohio in the mid 1960's. He was promoting a new line of pool tables and was giving an exhibition on the west side of town and toward the end asked if there was anyone who would "like a lesson". I volunteered. I forget his full real name but I believe his first name was Waldo or Walda with a German sounding last name. If I recall or find his name I'll post it. wgsj
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ADDENDUM:
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Since this was posted, I've done a little research and found my memory was lacking. His name was not Waldo or Walda. It was Rudolf. Rudolf Wanderone. According to him, He is was the hustler that the movie was based on. He was called by many nicknames during his hustling days one being Fats. The moviemakers added the Minnesota for some reason and he added it to his for the obvious reason.
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Here's an interesting web page about Fats. . http://www.egyptianaaa.org/SI-MinnesotaFats.htm
Be sure to click on the link "died on January 18, 1996" on the above page.

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Yes, although he's not necessarily "real" in the truest sense of the word. The actual pool player, Minnesota Fats, regularly appeared on Wide World of Sports, alongside other greats such as Steve Miserak. Minnesota legally changed his name to the one made famous in The Hustler. He was a hustler himself & went around pool halls calling himself Minnesota Fats. The legend grew & everyone assumed the character from the movie (Jackie Gleason) was based on him. The name stuck & he later changed it legally. I've heard him argue that the character was loosely based on him in the first place (forget his real name), but this - again - appears to be a hustle.