 The <unk> 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 <unk> , who , despite having won multiple world championships , was virtually unknown to the general public . Perhaps the greatest <unk> of the film 's popularity was a real @-@ life pool <unk> named Rudolf <unk> . <unk> claimed in an interview at the time of the film 's release that the character of Minnesota <unk> was based on <unk> , who at the time was known as " New York <unk> " . <unk> immediately adopted the Minnesota <unk> nickname and <unk> his association with the film into book and television deals and other ventures . Author Walter <unk> denied for the rest of his life that <unk> 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 <unk> . 
