Steve Mizerak
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Steve Mizerak (October 12, 1944 - May 29, 2006) was a world champion pool player dominant during the 1970s and early 1980s in the game of 14.1 continuous.
Born in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, he earned a teaching degree and taught school for thirteen years before he became famous outside of pool after appearing in a humorous commercial for Miller Lite beer in which he proclaimed that you can "really work up a thirst even when you're just showing off," and later as an actor in the 1986 film The Color of Money.
He owned and operated pool halls in the West Palm Beach-Lake Park, Florida area during the 1990s and 2000s. He founded the "Senior Tour" in 1996 for players 50 years of age and older and often hosted Senior Tour events at his pool hall in Lake Park.
Mizerak suffered a stroke in 2001 which left him with physical challenges that prevented him from playing pool competitively. He was inducted into the BCA Hall of Fame in 1980.
He is survived by his wife Karen, two sons, and two grandchildren.
[edit] Career titles
- 1970 US Open 14.1 Pocket Billiards Championship (d. Luther Lassiter)
- 1971 US Open 14.1 Pocket Billiards Championship (d. Joe Balsis)
- 1972 US Open 14.1 Pocket Billiards Championship (d. Danny DeLiberto)
- 1973 US Open 14.1 Pocket Billiards Championship (d. Luther Lassiter)
- 1982 PPPA World Pocket Billiard Championship (14.1)
- 1983 PPPA World Pocket Billiard Championship (14.1)
- 1988 PBA U.S. Open 14.1
- 1997 Grand Casino Biloxi Classic
