Pool's Most Famous Fans

Pool or billiards has been a popular game in one form or another for hundreds of years. No one has ever pinpointed just what it is about the game that attracts so many fans, but no one can deny that that watching skilled players make those impossible seeming shots is a truly exciting experience.

But did you know that many famous people throughout history have been fans of both playing and watching the game, including some people who you would never guess were pool fans. Here's a list of famous pool players and enthusiasts that may surprise you.

1. Mark Twain. Twain often wrote about pool, or billiards as it was then called, in letters to friends and speeches. In 1906 he gave a speech in which he said ‘The game of billiards has destroyed my naturally sweet disposition.' He also included a section on billiards in his 1907 autobiography.

2. George Washington. Although Washington did not have a table in his hose he often frequented the homes of friends who did. Washington often played for money and kept detailed records of his wins and losses. The most he ever won was around $1.75, a princely sum in those days.

3. Abraham Lincoln. This famous president owned a billiards table and was reported to be a highly skilled player who often used the game to think out the issues of the day.

4. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Mozart is depicted writing and composing on his billiard table throughout the movie ‘Amadeus'. Many records exist which show this to be true. The famous composer did indeed love the game and often played whilst working on a new piece of music.

5.

Fred Astaire. This Hollywood actor loved pool and was pictured playing celebrity opponents several times. It's also believed that Astaire practiced for six hours every day to prepare for a role playing a pool hustler on TV series Dr Kildare.

6. Paul Newman. This famous actor made pool cool by starring in not one, but two of the most popular sports movies ever. The lauded actor starred in ‘The Hustler' in the 1960's and ‘The Color of Money' in the 1980's. As well as popularising the sport in two separate decades, Newman was also a highly skilled player.

Other famous fans of the game include Marie Antoinette, Winston Churchill, Charles Dickens, Lewis Carroll, Humphrey Bogart and Charles de Gaulle.