Rudolph Wanderone was one of the most famous pool players of all time. He was a master of one pocket and a notorious hustler, gambler, and entertainer.
He was best known by his nickname “Minnesota Fats”, which he adopted after the release of the movie The Hustler (1961).
This article will examine Rudolph Wanderone’s Net worth, Salary, and Earnings.
Rudolph Wanderone’s Biography
| Full Name | Rudolf Walter Wanderone Jr. |
| Born | January 19, 1913 |
| Birthplace | New York City |
| Nationality | American |
| Age | 82 (at the time of death) |
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (180 cm) |
| Current Tour | N/A (retired) |
| Major Title | N/A (never won an official tournament) |
| Net Worth | Unknown (estimated to be several million dollars) |
| Highest Ranking | N/A (never ranked officially) |
| Relationship | Married (four times) |
| Wife | Evelyn Moore (1931-1939), Dorothy Wise (1941-1949), Evelyn Ingram (1951-1965), Theresa Belli (1971-1996) |
| Instagram ID | N/A |
| Twitter ID | N/A |
Rudolph Wanderone was born in New York City on January 19, 1913.
He was the son of Rudolf Walter Wanderon Sr., a Swiss immigrant who worked as a barber, and Rosa Wanderon, a German immigrant who worked as a seamstress.
He died on January 15, 1996, in Nashville, Tennessee. He was 82 years old. He suffered from heart failure and pneumonia.
He was cremated, and his ashes were scattered over the Cumberland River.
Early Life
Wanderone had a difficult childhood in New York City. His family was poor and struggled to make ends meet.
He faced discrimination and violence from other ethnic groups in his neighborhood. He also had a rebellious and adventurous personality that often got him into trouble.
He became interested in the pool when he saw a billiard hall near his home.
He started playing there regularly and soon became proficient at the game. At 16, he entered his first tournament and won $100.
Professional Career
Wanderone’s career spanned from 1929 to 1984. He never won an official pool tournament as “Minnesota Fats”, but he claimed to have won hundreds of challenge matches against top players such as Willie Mosconi, Luther Lassiter, Irving Crane, Ralph Greenleaf, and Willie Hoppe.
Wanderone became famous after the release of the movie The Hustler (1961), where he claimed to be the inspiration for the character of Minnesota Fats, played by Jackie Gleason.
He adopted the nickname and challenged the movie’s star, Paul Newman, to a match.
He also challenged the novel’s author, Walter Tevis, to a match. He won both matches and gained considerable publicity and popularity.
Wife
Wanderone had four wives in his life. His first wife was Evelyn Moore, whom he married in 1931 and divorced in 1939. His second wife was Dorothy Wise, whom he married in 1941 and divorced in 1949.
His third wife was Evelyn Ingram, whom he married in 1951 and divorced in 1965. His fourth wife was Theresa Belli, whom he married in 1971, and they remained together until his death.
Rudolph Wanderone’s Net Worth Details
Rudolph Wanderone’s net worth is estimated to be $2 million as of 2025. Wanderone was a big spender who enjoyed luxury cars, clothes, jewelry, and cigars.
Wanderone also earned a lot of money from his pool matches, exhibitions, endorsements, and movie appearances.
At the peak of his career, he reportedly made $50,000 per year. He also received royalties from his books and videos.
Career Stats
| Year | Event | Result |
| N/A | N/A | N/A |
FAQs
1. Who was Rudolph Wanderone, and why was he famous?
Rudolph Wanderone, better known as “Minnesota Fats,” was a flamboyant American pool hustler and entertainer. He gained fame by claiming to be the inspiration for the character “Minnesota Fats” in the 1961 film The Hustler. Known for his wit and storytelling, he helped popularize billiards in America during the mid-20th century.
2. How did Rudolph Wanderone get the nickname “Minnesota Fats”?
Wanderone adopted the name “Minnesota Fats” after the release of The Hustler, where Jackie Gleason portrayed a character of the same name. Although there is no evidence that the character was based on him, Wanderone capitalized on the association to boost his fame.
3. Was Rudolph Wanderone a great pool player?
While he was a skilled hustler and entertainer, Wanderone never won any major pool tournaments. His reputation came more from his ability to create compelling games and his larger-than-life personality than from competitive achievements.
4. What role did Rudolph Wanderone play in promoting billiards?
Wanderone became a cultural icon through television appearances, public matches, and his autobiography The Bank Shot and Other Great Robberies. He kept billiards in the public eye during a time when its popularity was waning in America.
5. What was Rudolph Wanderone’s rivalry with Willie Mosconi about?
Wanderone had a long-standing rivalry with Willie Mosconi, a legendary pool champion. They played televised matches in the 1970s, with Mosconi often emerging victorious. Despite losing, Wanderone’s charisma made him a fan favorite.
6. What were some of Rudolph Wanderone’s nicknames before “Minnesota Fats”?
Before adopting “Minnesota Fats,” Wanderone was known by other nicknames such as “New York Fats,” “Brooklyn Fats,” and “Broadway Fats.” These names reflected his origins and his early career as a pool hustler.
7. Did Rudolph Wanderone ever have a traditional job?
Wanderone avoided conventional employment throughout his life, preferring to hustle for money. However, later in life, he worked briefly promoting billiard equipment, which led to personal tensions and contributed to his first divorce.
8. What is known about Rudolph Wanderone’s personal life?
Wanderone was married twice. His first marriage to Evelyn lasted over four decades but ended in divorce due to his lifestyle. He later married Theresa Bell, who cared for him until his death in 1996 from heart failure.
9. How did Rudolph Wanderone contribute to billiards culture?
Through his colorful personality, exaggerated tales, and public appearances, Wanderone turned billiards into entertainment. His antics drew large crowds and kept the game relevant for nearly two decades during its decline in popularity.
10. Where is Rudolph Wanderone buried?
Rudolph Wanderone passed away on January 15, 1996, in Nashville, Tennessee. He is buried at Hermitage Gardens in Hermitage, Tennessee. His legacy lives on as one of the most recognizable figures in American billiards history.
