Trivia

Won four U.S. Open championships and was inducted into the Billiard Congress of America's Hall of Fame in 1980.

Did intricate trick shots for Miller Lite commercials in the 1970s and 1980s and played Duke, a pool shark, in The Color of Money (1986), who opposes Paul Newman's "Fast Eddie" character in one scene.

Former seventh grade school teacher, he later moved into the billiards merchandise business, serving as president and designer for a company making pool cues.

Billiards champion seen in a host of beer commercial ads and training books and videos that taught breaks, bank shots and trick shot techniques to the masses.

Went into the hospital with gallbladder problems in January of 2006 and remained there until his death.

Competed in the 1978 Canadian Open a snooker tournament where he was defeated 9-7 by Tony Knowles who went on to become one of the top players in the 80's.

Was known for a series of pool and snooker challenge matches against snooker superstars Steve Davis in 1987 and Jimmy White the following year. He won the pool events but lost in the snooker events.

Attempted to qualify for the 1988 & 1989 World Snooker Championship where he was whitewashed 10-0 the first year and 10-1 the next.