Celebrities who play pool

Well, if they don't have to be living, I think we got the winner here.

John Kling was possibly the finest catcher ever for the Cubs and had
12 consecutive hits, a record that took 107 years to break.

...in his spare time he became a world billiard champion.

John, with his partner, Benny Allen, also had one of the finest pool
halls in history, the famous Kling and Allen's of Kansas City.
 
JAM said:
Matt Damon and Ben Affleck take the game seriously, as to Mars Callahan and Keith Richards.

Do they compete in tournaments? No. They do, however, play pool often, know how to play, and enjoy the game whenever they can.

President Obama also plays pool and enjoys the game. Does he go out on the tournament trail? No.
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These are some great points Jam, thank you. I would like to add:

I don't think tournaments or leagues define "Pool Players" alone. I think it's a state of mind. Most of us here on AZ are pool enthusiasts at the least. And play pool on a regular basis. And I would think that a lot of us (me included) have spent 1000s of hours by ourselves, practicing drills, and runouts. And play competitively with others (whether for pride, gambling, league or tournaments), and don't just bang the balls around.

I remember channel surfing and seeing Bobby Brown "playing" 8 ball with his son. The son broke, pocketed the 8 on the break, and Bobby (the self proclaimed "Pool Player" started yipping that "You lose, You lose, That's a loss. You pocketed the 8 on the break."

The boy was around 9. Now if anyone asked Bobby, are you a pool player, he would say, and believe yes. But I saw how much he knew about playing pool with his stroke, and ability to "run the balls". He play pool, he isn't a pool player.

That is more what I am talking about...
 
Pete said:
These are some great points Jam, thank you. I would like to add:

I don't think tournaments or leagues define "Pool Players" alone. I think it's a state of mind. Most of us here on AZ are pool enthusiasts at the least. And play pool on a regular basis. And I would think that a lot of us (me included) have spent 1000s of hours by ourselves, practicing drills, and runouts. And play competitively with others (whether for pride, gambling, league or tournaments), and don't just bang the balls around.

I remember channel surfing and seeing Bobby Brown "playing" 8 ball with his son. The son broke, pocketed the 8 on the break, and Bobby (the self proclaimed "Pool Player" started yipping that "You lose, You lose, That's a loss. You pocketed the 8 on the break."

The boy was around 9. Now if anyone asked Bobby, are you a pool player, he would say, and believe yes. But I saw how much he knew about playing pool with his stroke, and ability to "run the balls". He play pool, he isn't a pool player.

That is more what I am talking about...
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Well, I guess I should choose my words more carefully.

Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, as one example, are full-time actors and producers. They did start up a small film production company and love pool so much that they had a separate room with only a pool table in it for them to relax while they were in the office.

Both of them have appeared at several pool functions, charities related to pool, et cetera.

Both of them enjoy playing pool. I consider them "celebrities who play pool," which is the title of this thread.

Sames goes for Keith Richards, who uses to have a requirement that a pool table be set up ahead of time for every single show when they went on tour. Why? Because he enjoyed playing pool. I consider Keith Richards a "celebrity who plays pool."

I could elaborate on the others, but I think you're kind of into a semantics debate here. What I deem as a "celebrity who plays pool" and what you consider it as may differ.
 
How about "Celebrities OTHERS consider Pool Players"?

How about those celebrities who play well (and often) enough that others consider them "pool players"?

-Jerry Orbach (passed) very accomplished, they often wrote scenes of him shooting trick shots into "Law and Order" episodes.

-Peter Falk (passed) I've always heard he could run 100 balls, but in any event many considered him a pretty sporty player.

-Jackie Gleason (passed) probably best known because of the Hustler, but he actually could play a passable game...and played for money as a hobby.

-Joe Rogan...grew up in/around quite a bit of action in NY...reputed to be a strong player by anyone's standard, not just as a celebrity

-Paul Sorvino...more than a casual player

-Ben Affleck/Matt Damon...I heard the same thing, but not sure how good they are...likely better than most off the street, I'm sure.

-Tony Danza...I went to college with a boyhood friend of his from Brooklyn...swears he can really no-kidding play. I remember an episode of Who's the Boss where he plays some 14.1 against a hustler (that tired old script)...definitely knows how to hold a cue.

Fred Astaire (passed) was apparently REALLY good.

WC Fields (passed) made a living out of pool for several years between vaudeville and acting gigs

Bob Hope (passed)...apparently he gambled on it as a youth, shortly after immigrating here (from the UK)

Mars Callahan...a good player, but I really don't consider him a celebrity.
 
Well stated Jam, and I went back and read the heading. I was mistaken by it (my bad there). I just get excited about people who are really into pool, and might be able to help the industry out.

I remember on Bravo they did Celebrity Pool (Joe Rogan won), and thought this might be a great marketing tactic for our world. Then I watched it, it was mostly bad (though Joe shoots a mean stick).

The point I was trying to make is that, most people who have money can and sometimes do have a billiard room within their homes. But it’s not the same thing.

If it seemed like I was trying to start something with you, then I am sorry, I respect you way too much, and don’t play those games. I was only trying to express my perspective as best I could (I’m not a great writer).

Once again, thank you for your views and contribution not only to this thread, but to the AZ community (as I enjoy your writing quite a bit)…

Pete
 
Here are a couple of my favorite celeb sitings around a table...
 

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West Point 1987 said:
How about those celebrities who play well (and often) enough that others consider them "pool players"?

-Jerry Orbach (passed) very accomplished, they often wrote scenes of him shooting trick shots into "Law and Order" episodes.
Click to expand...

Yes, Jerry Orbach. I couldn't remember the name. Thanks, West Point. :smile:
 
Tramp Steamer said:
Yes, Jerry Orbach. I couldn't remember the name. Thanks, West Point. :smile:
Click to expand...

I don't know if I would be considered to be any big celebrity but my band Great White has sold 15 Million Records worldwide and my high run is 71 balls"-)......I am an A to A- player....haven't played a lot lately though due to playing schedule"-). I would love to play Joe Rogan..........
Mark Kendall/Great White
 
West Point 1987 said:
How about those celebrities who play well (and often) enough that others consider them "pool players"?

-Jerry Orbach (passed) very accomplished, they often wrote scenes of him shooting trick shots into "Law and Order" episodes.

-Peter Falk (passed) I've always heard he could run 100 balls, but in any event many considered him a pretty sporty player.

-Jackie Gleason (passed) probably best known because of the Hustler, but he actually could play a passable game...and played for money as a hobby.

-Joe Rogan...grew up in/around quite a bit of action in NY...reputed to be a strong player by anyone's standard, not just as a celebrity

-Paul Sorvino...more than a casual player

-Ben Affleck/Matt Damon...I heard the same thing, but not sure how good they are...likely better than most off the street, I'm sure.

-Tony Danza...I went to college with a boyhood friend of his from Brooklyn...swears he can really no-kidding play. I remember an episode of Who's the Boss where he plays some 14.1 against a hustler (that tired old script)...definitely knows how to hold a cue.

Fred Astaire (passed) was apparently REALLY good.

WC Fields (passed) made a living out of pool for several years between vaudeville and acting gigs

Bob Hope (passed)...apparently he gambled on it as a youth, shortly after immigrating here (from the UK)

Mars Callahan...a good player, but I really don't consider him a celebrity.
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I saw Orbach play a few times. He looked like he was somewhere between A/B speed. I never actually saw him play seriously so it was difficult to gauge but it was clear he "played". I really enjoyed seeing him around and regarded him as one of pool's gems.

Paul Sorvino is a poolroom regular. I'd probably say he's around C speed. He's more bark than bite but he loves the scene and does quite a bit of woofing.

Many Yankees were regulars at Amsterdam Billiards. Cory Lidle was about B-speed and looking like he had the talent to go further until his untimely death. Roger Clemens practiced often before starts and occasionally brought Andy Pettitte and Jorge Posada with him. Strangely, Roger pitches righty and plays pool lefty. Pettitte pitches lefty and plays pool righty. both are probably D players. Posada was no better.

Kiefer Sutherland would show up at Broadway Billiards with an entourage. He's probably around C-speed and clearly has a liking for the game.

Jerry Seinfeld plays around C-class. He was a poolroom regular for a long stretch but as he's grown more reclusive, he's been less visible at the poolrooms. I haven't seen him in several years now.
 
markgw said:
I don't know if I would be considered to be any big celebrity but my band Great White has sold 15 Million Records worldwide and my high run is 71 balls"-)......I am an A to A- player....haven't played a lot lately though due to playing schedule"-). I would love to play Joe Rogan..........
Mark Kendall/Great White
Click to expand...

That's kick-ass! Love me some Great White.
 
In a TV interview, Nora Jones did a scene at a pool table. She evidently looks for a hall in the cities she tours. Her stroke looked pretty good to me.

The funny bit was when the interviewer (female) said she paid her way through college playing pool. (yuk-yuk). Nora just looked at her and said; "Really????". Interviewer, said "Uh...no.".
 
bdorman said:
Another thread has come up with excellent choices of pool players for a "Billiards with the Stars" TV show.

Now we need the "stars."

I don't know of any, but I think the following would be cool.

Sports:
LeBron James, Michael Jordan, etc.
Bret Farve, Aaron Rogers,
Tiger Woods, Phil Michelson (John Schmidt must know of some top golfers who play pool)

Music:
Bono, Bruce Springstein,
Lady Gaga, Adele

Movies:
Harrison Ford, Tommy Lee Jones, Keanu Reeves, Johnny Depp

Clearly, I don't keep up with pop culture...so maybe you have some better ideas -- share 'em.

Someone in Hollywood must know who the pool players are.
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Personally, I don't understand the appeal of watching celebrities do things that aren't what made them celebrities in the first place. This assumes that "celebrities" are people who became famous because they're really good at something: Bono, Harrison Ford, etc., and not people who are famous simply because they want to be: Any/all Kardashians, Palins, New Jersey residents.

I want to watch the former group do the things they're good at, and I don't want to watch the latter group do anything!
 
Knowing how to play the game and knowing how the game is played are different.

When most ask about my pool ... ahem.... problem; I say I'm an aficionado of the game or simply 'I like to play’. It keeps the conversation from being weirder than it usually gets.

What I would pay for a game of pocket billiards in the White House under any administration... the President could even be allowed to play. ;-) All I would want is a couple hours of un-interrupted time.

I think you would be surprised at the number of 'famous' types who can play pretty sporty.
 
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pwd72s said:
In a TV interview, Nora Jones did a scene at a pool table. She evidently looks for a hall in the cities she tours. Her stroke looked pretty good to me.

The funny bit was when the interviewer (female) said she paid her way through college playing pool. (yuk-yuk). Nora just looked at her and said; "Really????". Interviewer, said "Uh...no.".
Click to expand...

I think this is the interview you speak of:

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=2454129n

I know the bar, too. That's Lucy's. I haven't been there in years. They have (had?) two pool tables. One is a standard bar box and the other is nearly 8 feet (largest bar box I've ever seen). Although the East Village is known for having a great presence in NYC bar pool, it's also equally known for being grungy and cheap. Everything, from the tables to the bathrooms are typically in disgusting shape. Lucy's was no exception.
 
Jude Rosenstock said:
I think this is the interview you speak of:

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=2454129n

I know the bar, too. That's Lucy's. I haven't been there in years. They have (had?) two pool tables. One is a standard bar box and the other is nearly 8 feet (largest bar box I've ever seen). Although the East Village is known for having a great presence in NYC bar pool, it's also equally known for being grungy and cheap. Everything, from the tables to the bathrooms are typically in disgusting shape. Lucy's was no exception.
Click to expand...

Bingo! And thanks for the link & insight! :grin:

(edit) This was a good lesson on memory for me. I didn't really remember the interview, what was said, very well. Damn, I'd be a horrible witness in a criminal trial. Especially if I was asked to recall something from several years past.
 
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Thanks for the many replies guys.

The objective is to show famous people shooting pool and having fun. We have to make pool "in style" and cool; part of popular culture.

It could simply be an interview show where the host and guest talk and shoot pool for 30 minutes. You need a host like Charlie Rose who is interested in everything and can get up to speed on a topic very quickly. (He's done great interviews with many of the people mentioned in the thread; I don't think he plays pool and is too busy for another show anyway). Rogan would be very good.

And yes, the guests (and host, for that matter) have to be among the living.
 
Manny Pacquaio plays pretty sport from what I hear. And I remember hearing that Keifer Sutherland plays real strong, and that he used to stake players like Parica for big money.
 
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