AKA Rudolf Walter Wanderone, Jr.

Born: 19-Jan-1913
Birthplace: New York City
Died: 15-Jan-1996
Location of death: Nashville, TN
Cause of death: Heart Failure
Remains: Buried, Hermitage Memorial Gardens, Old Hickory, TN

Gender: Male
Race or Ethnicity: White
Sexual orientation: Straight
Occupation: Sports Figure

Nationality: United States
Executive summary: Billiards opponent of Willie Mosconi

New York Fats changed his name to Minnesota Fats after the 1961 release of The Hustler starring Paul Newman. Wanderone had never been to Minnesota, and Walter Tevis, the author, himself denied that the movie was based on this character, though that is now essentially accepted by the pop culture lexicon. Minnesota became well-known to television audiences after a series of matches with Willie Mosconi were broadcast by ABC Sports (and re-run several times over the years).

Father: (merchant marine)
Wife: Evelyn Inez (m. 1941)

    Swiss Ancestry
    Risk Factors: Obesity

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