Minnesota Fats 1985

Legendary pool player Rudolf Wanderone a.k.a. "Minnesota Fats" (1913-1996) talks about his many years perfecting the art of pool playing. From the 1985 television special "Once A Star," which profiled former professional athletes. You can watch the full program here:
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[@CofCGuy]

I worked at the Hermitage Hotel in Nashville, TN from 1986-89. Minnesota was a real character. Very friendly, spent every day in the lobby chatting with guests and employees. A real class act.

[@cherylnewman4357]

fats was a man that come up hard an he did what it took to survive.....he did more than most people do...even if he talked alot. he made his way doing that....most of us are not from his generation an we can't do what he did....he was what the people of the world at that time liked at respected

[@ventwilliams3352]

👍👍👌

[@4687878]

Etta James looks just like him !!

[@TM-pj7yu]

She sure the hell do,does, did

[@michaelbrownlee4857]

It is him.. unless you hate him and are playin against him ha

[@michaelbrownlee4857]

Then it is fictional

[@honeegrrl]

According to the movie Cadillac Records, he was Etta James's father.

[@cliffordyawn2787]

This man could shoot some of the hardest bank shots and made them...it was hard to believe how great he was.

[@rontownsend8235]

I loved this man they called fats, had the chance of meeting up with him three times in my life and he was always a gentleman. Never hustled nobody, just loved the game.

[@matimus100]

Strange comment but slightly homosexual feelings for him is totally ok tho bro

[@rontownsend8235]

@@matimus100 I am far from being homosexual and it is a brotherly love thing

[@Ardee1]

He’s a good guy I love him and willie

[@brikshoe6259]

A lot of people think Mosconi beat Fats every time they played. That simply was not true. Mosconi won more of their matches, including "The Great Pool Shoot-out" in 1978 but Fats got his revenge in 1984, beating Mosconi in "The Resorts International Shoot-out". Fats was never the best tournament player; he would even admit (in his own way) that he was not a tournament player but in his prime, he was considered one the top cash game players. Youngsters got good and Fats got old and then they all started to talk down about him. Gonna happen to them too, that's the way of life.

[@vikingwarrior2311]

Nobody is undefeated in anything we all have teachers and by the way great comment

[@juliorosenberg2222]

Most of the young pool sharks of today could not shine Minnesota Fats shoe's during his priy

[@minnesotafats8140]

I was not a tournament player cuz that’s a carousel , understand? Whatever I do , I do it nice, and I always leave wit da cash, understand? You never seen one like me!!!

[@nomibe2911]

@fenderjaguar1985 Mosconi who worked on the movie said during the time that the character was based on Rudolf. That is why he threatened to sue and changed his mind and ended up changing his name to Minnesota Fats. Walter Tevis would have never admitted that due to the fact the Rudolf would have been entitled to the profits. So he denied it to his dying days and everyone with a brain knew during the time that the character was based on New York Fats aka Rudolf Wanderone.

[@mtnvlifestyles]

my uncle died today.. i learned that he beat Minnesota fats in an exhibition.. Denver Sid

[@soprano803]

thank you for posting. R.I.P. Mr Rudolf Wanderone JR. AKA Double Smart Fats, Triple Smart Fats, New York Fats, Chicago Fats, and the most recognizable name in billiard history-Minnesota Fats. Man, what a character. What a gentleman. What a story teller. Most of all, what a pool player. Read one of his books, The Bank Shot and Other Great Robberies. You'll enjoy every page.

[@loganstroganoff1284]

Damn fats was an og trash talker. I've never been great at pool but I love to play and I can say that all the best hustlers I've ever played are talkers like fats. They won't shut the hell up while they're whipping you at pool. Adds a psychological element to the game that really affects your playing if you let it.

[@teenapage337]

Wow. Fats and Etta James look so much alike. Definitely was father and daughter.

[@MsLB-lm9mu]

Even got the same mannerisms.

[@indiefilms111]

Well at least he helped bring the greatest singer ever to this world. ETTA James We love you..

[@trainmaster0217]

When he got serious he was unbeatable. My idol. R.I.P Fats.

[@pauloftarsus8145]

Minnesota Fats otherwise known as New York fats was definitely a great pool player. But I think what sets him apart was his audacity and his self promotion. He was always like a boxer before a match, promoting animosity, building up the hype, he was a great "showman". That is what people wanted to see, He was a natural born entertainer. He was also so full of himself it was pathetic, he didnt have a humble bone in his body. But all entertainers share that quality, they believe that ANY publicity is good publicity because it keeps you in the spotlight. Personally I think he was one of the great Bullshitters of the Modern age and people loved him for it. But I always give credit where credit is due, he was a great pool player and was a great humanitarian a well, he always helped the underprivileged and donated not only his time but his money as well for good causes. This is one of his great qualities. Even though he was not all what he made himself out to be, for instance the greatest poker player in the world as well. Its hard to be the greatest at one thing let alone five things like he claimed. When confronted about this once he said he was the best "talker" in the world. This is very telling. Like I said before... he was one of the best Bullshit artists of his time. The truth is, he was a great pool player but not thee greatest, their are many you tube videos of him getting destroyed by better players, but he always claimed he was the best "MONEY player" in the game, he never claimed to be the best "tournament player." Furthermore he would play any style of pool, whether it be nine ball eight ball pocket billiards or anything else, he could do it all, that a fact. To bad the pool cues that bear his name are low quality pieces of shit and THAT disappoints me, he must have sold his soul for a couple bucks when he needed it one time or something. At least I am sure of one thing, he didnt do it for nothing, he probably made a fortune :) Thats Minnesota Fats for ya. Comments welcome.

[@carlosatilano]

I have a minnesota fats Cue, graphite, looks awsome but doesnt play that well

[@johnirby493]

The W.C. Fields of pool.

[@peaceman4u]

HE WAS IS ETTA JAMES FATHER!

[@R.L.KRANESCHRADTT]

I got to shake his hand in the hallway outside his room while I was staying on the same floor at the Hermitage(where he lived) in Nashville in the mid 80's, he was on 'fan auto-pilot' but it was a nice moment anyway.😊

[@bksalkrook8716]

legend

[@swolejeezy2603]

Just learned about this man from the Featureman KZbin channel. Neat

[@flyazzva]

he needed to claim his baby etta james

[@allbiz2k10]

I'M 100% PURE!

[@swim.p8631]

One of the best

[@matimus100]

He's a man-child

[@rhinson5263]

Is this really edda james father??

[@3dsmaxrocks699]

His cousin was Elvis. lotta people don't know that fact.

[@fragilediamond3203]

Etta aged like him also

[@xagr8noname209]

What a cool old man

[@bobadork]

the man was as old as dirt and still almost running a 15 rack and not making excuses for his eyes or age! everyone hs bad days but this guys played attitude and I respect that!

[@AhYaOk]

this guy had me rolling on the floor

[@marcusmccoy808]

💯

[@bretwahlberg1146]

Love Minnesota fats

[@matimus100]

Love from Bret everyone 😆

[@docrw]

I use to watch him back in the 70's and he has always been such an arrogant jerk but was such a character too, I miss people that had that hutzpa.

[@hiddengemz955]

Is he Etta James father or not?!

[@bretwahlberg1146]

The best Minnesota fat’s

[@rickdangerous5606]

Moe Norman was the Minnesota Fats of Golf and Minnesota Fats was the Moe Norman of Pool.

[@thomascalahan8494]

🎱💸💸💸💸

[@Betterthangoldandsilver]

Often beating Mosconi? When did that happen? All the footage I've ever seen of their TV matches have Mosconi winning.

[@MeganOHowe]

They likely had matches outside the TV events, on the TV match Mosconi would only play under his rules though which kinda gave Mosconi an advantage

[@brikshoe6259]

Fats won some of their matches but Mosconi won more.

[@GodGotMe762]

Etta James daddy

[@candacerattler128]

Lmao the only reason I’m here!

[@chaniethequeen2588]

@@candacerattler128 Me too.

[@Bladerunner55217]

what if you where the greatest Gin player in the world?? what are you going to do where they don't play gin ..

[@pauloftarsus8145]

drink gin what else?

[@scottbranson7872]

I'm not sold on Rudolf Wanderone, i'll neglect to write what i actually think. He's no standard bearer.

[@BilliusEllison]

He was quite a showman. My Great Uncle, Gus Copulos, 1894-1981 was one of the most feared three cushion players during the 20's. He told me that he played Rudy Wanderone at the Detroit Athletic Club one night. He didn't go by Minnesota Fats at the time. Uncle Gus was able to silence the fat man with his game. Uncle Gus never gained the same notoriety as Wanderone but those who knew the game back then knew of him. Please look him up if any lf you are interested. Thanks.

[@SwagMaster9000]

self proclaimed genius who is "double smart" and even "triple smart" that's a true genius right there

[@yutuberboy]

he lost to mosconi on tv 9ball 8 ball 15 ball

[@johnmooney7552]

Why they call him minnesota fats . hes from New york

[@jamesrocknrolla5606]

There were so many one pocket players that would torture fats. Corn bred red, Harry sexton used to crush him anytime they played. Fats could sell a car to Stevie wonder but he could never run with the elite.

[@ericpetersen8155]

James Rocknrolla - cornbread would have robbed fats. But fats could out talk anyone-even me. ***Fatboy Approved***

[@ShadowHudson2]

1:27 burt reynoldes

[@gskessingerable]

No it wasn't.

[@shaunigothictv1003]

Fats must have been a very rich man as he was able to afford to live in a hotel every night. Great pool player and even better at promoting himself.

[@DatAnydeks]

It's the other way around. Minnesota Fats was a fictitious name in the novel book of which "The Hustler" movie was done. AFTER the movie came out, he legally changed his name to Minnesota Fats.

[@born68]

passing doughnut gas @ 4:05

[@UnitTheory]

lmfao!

[@feleciasmith7791]

I read he had prostate trouble and couldn't have children and that the movies was not all right so is he really Etta James Dad

[@tannerlane9669]

Okay can we stop just believing things because u heard it in a movie

[@dv713]

@Odhinn222 Thank you for the reply and correction. I watched to great pool shootout on TV back in the late 70s and I still have those matches on tape. Mosconi beat fats in every game they played not only straight pool. He beat him in 8 ball, 9 ball, and the gamblers favorite one pocket. I must admit that fats was entertaining and he had a good heart. He took care of animals and was generous. In later matches they teamed up with other champions and fats was the weak link.

[@MrKinghuman]

This man needs a hollywood treatment and add the johnston city tournaments

[@peacefulblonde39]

A straight up hustler! You surely can glorify him for that fact only!

[@bullsnutsoz]

yeah I agree this bloke has American cool

[@tobiashoiss]

You know why? Cause I'm a hundred per cent PURE!

[@eileenscovitch7695]

HE REMINDS ME OF MYSELF WHEN I WAS 8-9, JUST AHEAD OF THE REST. I COULD SEE STUFF THAT 16-18 YR OLD GUYS WERE EXPERIENCING. JUST HAD THE KNACK. THAT WHAT I GET FOR HANGING AND WORKING AROUND WITH MY FATHER AND 7 UNCLES IN THE BALTIMORE/ WASHINGTON AREA. I ALMOST ALWAYS KEPT MY MOUTH SHUT AND MY EARS WIDE OPEN, AND LEARNED ALOT ABOUT LIFE............AND RESPECT FOR YOUR ELDERS.

[@angelalarieudo5049]

Wow Etta James daddy

[@renatabarnes9726]

Minnesota FAts was a fictional character. Jackie Gleason played him in the movie "The Hustler". The author, Walter Tavis, states that he never based the character on Wanderone but Wanderone had apparently seen an opportunity to monetize the name and the legend and did so. I think he was known as "New York Fats" but changed that with the popularity of the movie "The Hustler". Yea, shite.

[@BabyDee4416]

Great man should have stepped up and proved he wasn't Etta's father. Seek an answer then react.

[@matimus100]

He was a manchild

[@realistgooon3tt379]

She do look like him though 🤷🏾‍♀️

[@realistgooon3tt379]

@David Muenchow Stfu fucking asshole UNDERSTAND THAT bitch ass

[@realistgooon3tt379]

@Shell true!!

[@matimus100]

Ok brown 🐑

[@FIVE-0-APOCALYPTO]

Thats not the way i heard it. I heard he was something of a mediocre player compared to pros and simply knew how to match up correctly.

[@praxeologycatallactics1167]

That is not the account given by those who knew him such as Jay Helfert, Freddy Bentivegna, Eddie Taylor, Tuscaloosa Squirrel, Jimmy Moore, and Ronnie Allen. The consensus among those who knew him, like the people I listed earlier, believed that he was a good player but he was about 9-7 under the top One Pocket players of his time.

[@goosebumps2555]

Well.. I knew the guy , so what

[@dv713]

Fats took on the name Minnesota after the movie. Mosconi would beat him like a drum, he was not that good a player but had a great mouth and even got his own TV show called celebrity billiards. Mosconi beat him every type of pool when the challenge finally happened even Fats 1 pocket. Alan Hopkins wanted to play him when Hopkins was world champ and Fats refused.

[@williamdawkins3241]

He's cool, wish me and my father could switch birthdates. From my 86 to his 50 I'd take that in a heartbeat.

[@LuckyMarketGameplay]

"Jackie Gleason 'supposedly' based his character on him in the movie The Hustler". Supposedly huh? I guess that's why the credits say Jackie Gleason as Minnesota Fats >.

[@Cssfiend]

the presenter looks remarkably like woody harrelson

[@timmyg000420]

Great character but nowhere near the player Mosconi was, different league.

[@billysikes1374]

Rudolph never beat anyone, facts are facts

[@praxeologycatallactics1167]

So the stories about him beating Handsome Danny Jones, Weenie Beenie Staton, Tuscaloosa Squirrel, and Richie Florence are false? Oh, and him placing 4th in the first Johnston City tournament is false as well, I guess lol

[@keithwhite2676]

Before the movie, he called himself New York Fats. After the movie he changed it to Minnesota Fats to make it look like the character was based on him, which it wasn't The creator of the character, Walter Tevis, said it wasn't. Fats was a second-tier player but a first-class BS artist who spent his life trying NOT to play good players. When he did play guys like Mosconi, he got slaughtered.

[@C.G91]

Keith White guys like yet you only name 1 player 😂

[@Ghost-_-732]

Yea the movie was not about him but what people don't know is jackie Gleason was a good friend and baste his part of the movie on his friend fats

[@pauloftarsus8145]

true, but he was a better showman and entertainer, and like he said, HE walked away with the cash.

[@ericpetersen8155]

Tevis never officially stated if the Gleason character was Rudolph or not. Likely it was, but that’s speculation. He took the secret to the grave.

[@tw364]

Keith-bullshit, you don't know the story.

[@dv713]

@notbestfriends Absolutely true, Mosconi beat him in every type of pool despite what Fats says and this was well after Mosconi was at his peak. He was a great talker and could make you laugh but his pool skills were not the best. Mosconi won 15 world pool titles Fats won eating contests. Every top player today would wipe him off the table.

[@dv713]

@Odhinn222 Fats caused Mosconi to miss in a world championship match and fats ran 40 and out??? Mosconi did miss a shot to become the youngest ever but it was not because of fats. Where do you get your information from???? Fats was the biggest liar ever but that was about it, entertaining yes, great skill NO.

[@bluehorseshoe5450]

Fats wasn’t a real pool player

[@johnpedersen3458]

'Fats often seen beating Mosconi'...? BWHAHAHA ! ! Does anyone read, or do actual research anymore . . serious question.

[@UnleashTheGreen]

he was always was a bluster of annoyance. and not that good a pool player either.

[@SlickRick4EVER]

UnleashTheGreen - He was an entertainer... nothing else.

[@cloroxbleach-xf5gw]

Are you watching the same video i am

[@Charlesbjtown]

He'd beat you from the grave, playing with the wrong end of cue.

[@UnitTheory]

@@Charlesbjtown lmao good one

[@logictroll242]

Very little skill. A ton of ego.

[@dannymorgan7345]

???? Very little skill....your crazy lol

[@deanadiedrich9304]

Yeah why these loose dudes make the bundle of joy...then move on. to the next! I don't like him...pure to the fame...not humanity!

[@phishfearme2]

i would bet that he and trumpf would get along well - major BS artists

[@bretwahlberg1146]

Love Minnesota fat’s

[@matimus100]

Of course you do 🐑