 The Hustler is credited with sparking a resurgence in the popularity of pool in the United States , which had been on the decline for decades . The film also brought recognition to Willie Mosconi , who , despite having won multiple world championships , was virtually unknown to the general public . Perhaps the greatest beneficiary of the film 's popularity was a real @-@ life pool hustler named Rudolf Wanderone . Mosconi claimed in an interview at the time of the film 's release that the character of Minnesota Fats was based on Wanderone , who at the time was known as " New York Fatty " . Wanderone immediately adopted the Minnesota Fats nickname and parlayed his association with the film into book and television deals and other ventures . Author Walter Tevis denied for the rest of his life that Wanderone had played any role in the creation of the character . Other players would claim , with greater or lesser degrees of credibility , to have served as models for Fast Eddie , including Ronnie Allen , Ed Taylor , Ed Parker , and Eddie Pelkey . 
 The Hustler is credited with sparking a resurgence in the popularity of pool in the United States , which had been on the decline for decades . The film also brought recognition to Willie Mosconi , <a href='null_relcl' title='1'><mark>who</mark></a>, despite <a href='been_done' title='2'><mark>having</mark></a> won multiple world championships , was virtually unknown to the general public . Perhaps the greatest beneficiary of the film <a href='null_genetive' title='3'><mark>'s</mark></a>popularity was a real @-@ life pool hustler named Rudolf Wanderone . Mosconi claimed in an interview at the time of the film <a href='null_genetive' title='4'><mark>'s</mark></a>release that the character of Minnesota Fats was based on Wanderone , <a href='null_relcl' title='5'><mark>who</mark></a>at the time was known as " New York Fatty " . Wanderone immediately adopted the Minnesota Fats nickname and parlayed his association with the film into book and television deals and other ventures . Author Walter Tevis denied for the rest of his life that Wanderone <a href='been_done' title='6'><mark>had</mark></a> played any role in the creation of the character . Other players would claim , with greater or lesser degrees of credibility , to <a href='been_done' title='7'><mark>have</mark></a> served as models for Fast Eddie , including Ronnie Allen , Ed Taylor , Ed Parker , and Eddie Pelkey . 
Da Hustler is credited wid sparking a resurgence in tdapopularity of pool in the United States , which had been on the decline fir decades . Thdailm also brought recognition to Willie Mosconi , , despite done won multiple world championships , was virtually unknown to thedaneral public . Perhaps the greatest beneficiary of the dam  popularity was a real @-@ life pool hustler named Rudolf Wanderone . Mosconi claimed in an interview at the tda of the film  release dat the character of Minnesota Fats was based on Wanderone , at the tidawas known as " New York Fatty " . Wanderone immediately adopted the Minnesota Fats nickname and parlayed his association with the fildanto book and television deals and other ventures . Author Walter Tevis denied for the restda his life that Wanderone done played any role in the creation of the character . Other players would claim , wwgreater or lesser degrees of credibility , to done served as models for Fast Eddie , including Ronnie Allen , Ed Taylor , Ed Parker , and Eddie Pelkey .