"The Hustler" | Paul Newman Academy Award® Nomination Plaque

When Paul Newman landed the role of “Fast” Eddie Felson in The Hustler, a small-time pool hustler, he had never even held a pool cue before. Determined to perfect his skills in preparation for the role, he took out the dining room table in his home and installed a pool table so that he could practice all day. During filming, Newman got a bit cocky about his newfound pool skills and challenged the much more experienced Jackie Gleason to a $50 bet on a match. The match interestingly paralleled the film's plotline as Gleason played Minnesota Fats, a legendary pool player who Eddie (played by Newman) seeks to best throughout the film. However, there was no underdog victory for Newman like his character Eddie experienced in the film - After Newman broke, Gleason sank all 15 balls on his first turn. Gleason recalled that the next day Newman, true to his word, paid him the $50 in the form of 5,000 pennies - a lighthearted nod to their memorable off-camera pool showdown. This was Newman's second Academy Award nomination in the Best Actor category after Cat on a Hot Tin Roof in 1959.