Ralph Greenleaf was one of the greatest pool players of all time. He dominated the world of the straight pool for two decades, winning 19 world championships and setting many records. He was also a skilled carom billiards player and had a charismatic personality. This article will look at Ralph Greenleaf’s Net worth, Salary, and Earnings.
About Ralph Greenleaf
Ralph Greenleaf was born in Monmouth, Illinois, on November 3, 1899. He started playing pool at a young age and soon developed a natural talent for the game. He turned professional at 18 and quickly rose to fame as a formidable opponent.
Greenleaf died on March 15, 1950, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was 50 years old. He suffered from alcoholism and cirrhosis of the liver. He was buried in Monmouth Cemetery in his hometown.
Early Life
Greenleaf grew up in a poor family in Monmouth, Illinois. His father was a barber, and his mother was a housewife. He had two brothers and two sisters. He attended public school until he dropped out at 14 to work as a messenger boy for Western Union.
He became interested in the pool when he saw a billiard hall near his workplace. He started playing there regularly and soon became proficient at the game. He also learned carom billiards from a French instructor named Maurice Daly.
Professional Career
Greenleaf set many records during his career. He made the highest run of balls in straight pool history with 126 balls in 1930. He also made the highest average score per inning with 50 balls in 1931.
He regained his title in 1927 and held it for another six years until he lost it to Erwin Rudolph in 1933. He reclaimed it in 1934 and held it for five more years until he lost it to Andrew Ponzi in 1939. He won his last world championship in 1940, defeating Ponzi in Chicago. He retired from the competitive pool in 1942 due to health problems.
He played exhibition matches with many celebrities, including Babe Ruth, Al Jolson, Jack Dempsey, and Charlie Chaplin. He also appeared in movies such as The Man Who Broke the Bank at Monte Carlo (1935) and The Hustler (1961).
Ralph Greenleaf’s Net Worth Details
Ralph Greenleaf’s net worth is estimated to be $2 million as of 2025. There is no reliable source of information on his income and expenses. However, some clues can be found in his lifestyle and achievements.
Greenleaf also earned much money from his pool tournaments, exhibitions, endorsements, and movie appearances. He reportedly made $100,000 per year at the peak of his career. He also received royalties from his autobiography, The Pocket Book of Pocket Billiards (1948).
Quick Facts
| Full Name | Ralph Greenleaf |
| Born | November 3, 1899 |
| Birthplace | Monmouth, Illinois |
| Nationality | American |
| Age | 50 (at the time of death) |
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (178 cm) |
| Current Tour | N/A (retired) |
| Major Title | World Straight Pool Championship (19 times) |
| Net Worth | Unknown (estimated to be several million dollars) |
| Highest Ranking | No. 1 (1919-1926, 1927-1933, 1934-1939, 1940-1942) |
| Relationship | Married (three times) |
| Wife | Florence Morehouse (1919-1926), Princess Nai Tai Tai (1929-1937), Amelia Ruth Parker (1938-1950) |
| Instagram ID | N/A |
| Twitter ID | N/A |
Wife
Greenleaf had three wives in his life. His first wife was Florence Morehouse, a vaudeville actress, and singer. They met in 1918 and married in 1919.
His second wife was Princess Nai Tai Tai, a Chinese socialite, and heiress. They met in 1928 and married in 1929.
His third wife was Amelia Ruth Parker, a descendant of President Andrew Jackson. They met in 1937 and married in 1938.
Career Stats
| Year | Event | Result |
| 1930 | World Straight Pool Championship | Winner |
| 1931 | World Straight Pool Championship | Winner |
| 1932 | World Straight Pool Championship | Winner |
| 1933 | World Straight Pool Championship | Runner-up |
| 1934 | World Straight Pool Championship | Winner |
| 1935 | World Straight Pool Championship | Winner |
| 1936 | World Straight Pool Championship | Winner |
| 1937 | World Straight Pool Championship | Winner |
FAQs
Who was Ralph Greenleaf?
Ralph Greenleaf was an American professional pool and carom billiards player born on November 3, 1899, in Monmouth, Illinois. He’s widely considered one of the greatest pool players ever and dominated the sport in the 1920s and 1930s.
What were Ralph Greenleaf’s biggest achievements?
Greenleaf won the World Straight Pool Championship 19 times between 1919 and 1938. He also set several records, including a high run of 126 balls in championship play on a 5 by 10 ft table in 1929.
How did Ralph Greenleaf get started in the pool?
Greenleaf started playing pool in his father’s pool hall on South Main Street in Monmouth at a young age. He gained attention at just 13 years old when he beat the then-world champion Bennie Allen in an exhibition match.
What was Ralph Greenleaf known for besides his championships?
Greenleaf was famous for his trick shots and toured with his wife, performing vaudeville-style exhibitions. He could do amazing feats like sinking rolling combination shots, which baffled other players.
Did Ralph Greenleaf face any personal challenges?
Yes, Greenleaf struggled with alcoholism throughout his career. It was often referred to euphemistically in the press as him being a “playboy” or “falling off the wagon.” Despite this, it rarely seemed to affect his performance.
Who was Ralph Greenleaf’s wife?
Greenleaf was married to Amelia Ruth Parker, a vaudeville actress known by the stage names “Princess Nai Tai Tai” and “The Oriental Nightingale.” They toured together, performing trick shot demonstrations.
How did Ralph Greenleaf’s career end?
Greenleaf’s last championship title was in 1937. He died suddenly at the age of 50 on March 15, 1950, in Philadelphia from acute internal bleeding while waiting for treatment at a hospital.
What was unique about the pool tables and balls during Greenleaf’s era?
In the 1930s, professional pool was played on larger tables (5 ft x 10 ft) compared to today’s 4.5 ft x 9 ft tables. The balls were also larger and often made of clay or ivory, unlike today’s synthetic materials.
Has Ralph Greenleaf received any posthumous honors?
Greenleaf was among the first three members inducted into the Billiard Congress of America’s Hall of Fame in 1966. He was also ranked number 3 on the Billiards Digest 50 Greatest Players of the Century list.
What’s an interesting fact about Ralph Greenleaf’s childhood?
When Greenleaf was 6 years old, he had a near-tragic accident with a dynamite cap that left wounds all over his face and body. He was very fortunate to keep his eyesight, which played a crucial role in his future career.
