Cliff Thorburn

Biography

Cliff Thorburn (born 16 January 1948) is a Canadian retired professional snooker player. Nicknamed 'The Grinder' because of his slow, determined style of play, he won the World Snooker Championship in 1980, defeating Alex Higgins 18–16 in the final. He is generally recognised as the sport's first world champion from outside the United Kingdom—since Australian Horace Lindrum's 1952 title is usually disregarded—and he remains the only world champion from the Americas. He was runner-up in two other world championships, losing 21–25 to John Spencer in the 1977 final and 6–18 to Steve Davis in the 1983 final. At the 1983 tournament, Thorburn became the first player to make a maximum break in a World Championship match, achieving the feat in his second-round encounter with Terry Griffiths.

Known For

Gods of Snooker

When Snooker Ruled the World

Jimmy White - The One & Only

Alex Higgins: I'm No Angel

Ronnie's Snooker Hotshots

Steve Davis Presents: The Greatest Snooker Trickshots

All Movies (10)

• One Day at the Crucible2021
• Tony Drago: Fun & Torture2014
• Jimmy White - The One & Only2008 · as Self
• Ronnie's Snooker Hotshots2004 · as Self
• When Snooker Ruled the World2002 · as Self
• Best of Friends - The Official Story of Gary Lineker & Willie Thorne1992
• Alex Higgins: I'm No Angel1991 · as Self
• The Positive Touch1988
• Snooker Century Breakers1984
• Steve Davis Presents: The Greatest Snooker Trickshots— · as Self

All TV Shows (1)

• Gods of Snooker2021 · as Self - World Champion 1980