Willie Mosconi has been called one of the best pocket pool players. He has set world records in his field and is remembered for the many trick shots that he created. His skills, along with his good looks, combined to make him an icon for the sport.
Willie Mosconi was born in Philadelphia on June 27, 1913. Joseph Mosconi, his father, was a boxer, and Helen O'Reilly was his mother. Willie was first introduced to pool when he was young. He began playing in tournaments at the age of six. This experience led him to become a professional billiards player.
Willie first started to play for cash during the 1930s. He earned between $10,000 and $15,000 a year. His earnings rose dramatically after the Great Depression. Because of his success, his family was able help him through tough times. Gloria, his daughter, was born in 1953. She went on to become an accounting professional. Paul, Paul's son, also became an accounting professional.
In the mid-1950s, Mosconi took a cross-country exhibition tour. During the tour, he met up with a friend named Ralph Greenleaf. Although Greenleaf was not keen to play against Mosconi he agreed. Mosconi had an amazing run while on the tour. He sank 526 consecutive balls during the tour. The record was later confirmed.
Willie Mosconi eventually began writing instructional books about the game. These books included Willie Mosconi on Pocket Billiards (Ziff-Davis Publishing Company, 1948) and Winning Pocket Billiards (Crown Publishers, 1959).
He wrote many articles on the game of billiards. He was appointed as a consultant by the Brunswick Corporation. He also appeared in a variety of television games.
Mosconi was active in promoting the sport, even before he died from a heart attack in 1984. Neben his work at the Brunswick Corporation was he also an active stakes holder in "The Hustler", the 1961 movie that featured Minnesota Fats. He also served as technical advisor to the 1961 movie.
Willie Mosconi is credited with bringing billiards alive for new generations. By the end of his life, he had won thirteen World Championships. He was inducted into Straight Pool Hall of Fame.
Despite his fame, Willie Mosconi hated the life of a pool hall. He would travel all over the country to compete at tournaments. His opponents included Fast Eddie Felson and Minnesota Fats.
He was a true fan. He also wrote articles about pool. He tried to remove it from its association with drunks. He was a founding member of the Billiard Congress of America. He ultimately contributed to the global growth of the sport.
Willie Mosconi taught Paul Newman the art of billiards as a child. He was well-known on television and in movies. One of his most memorable performances was the George Thorogood George Thorogood video for the song Bad to the Bone.
Mosconi died from a heart attack at the age of 64. Ann, his wife of 64 years, remarried.