Celebrity Pool

The Hustler The Hustler, which was based on the 1959 book of the same name by Walter Tevis, is a critically acclaimed 1961 American sports drama film directed by Robert Rossen. Paul Newman "Fast Eddie" Felson It stars Paul Newman as "Fast Eddie" Felson, an ambitious, small-time pool hustler determined to beat the legendary champion Jackie Gleason as "Minnesota Fats". The film also stars Piper Laurie as Sarah, George C. Scott as Bert, and Myron McCormick as Charlie. The Hustler explores deeper themes of self-destruction, ego, and character growth beyond the pool table. It was released by 20th Century-Fox on September 25, 1961, and was a major critical and popular success, gaining a reputation as a classic. Its exploration of winning, losing, and character garnered a number of major awards; it is also credited with helping to spark a resurgence in the popularity of pool. Jackie Gleason "Minnesota Fats" In 1997, the Library of Congress selected The Hustler for preservation in the United States National Film Registry as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant". The Academy Film Archive preserved The Hustler in 2003. The Color of Money Paul Newman reprised his role as "Fast Eddie" Felson in the 1986 film The Color of Money, for which he won his one and only Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role. A number of observers and critics have suggested that this Oscar was in belated recognition for his performance in The Hustler. Tom Cruise "Vincent" & Paul Newman "Fast Eddie" The critically acclaimed 1986 sports drama film was directed by Martin Scorsese and stars Paul Newman as "Fast Eddie" Felson, Tom Cruise as "Vincent Lauria", and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio. The film serves as a legacy sequel to the 1961 classic The Hustler. Like the previous film, The Color of Money is based on a novel by Walter Tevis. It received positive reviews from critics, though some considered it inferior as a sequel to The Hustler. It follows an aging "Fast Eddie" Felson (Newman) who takes a talented but arrogant young pool player named "Vincent Lauria" (Cruise) under his wing to teach him the art of the hustle. The plot follows the trio as they hustle pool halls and make their way to a nine-ball tournament in Atlantic City.