Appleman was born on July 15, 1945, in Brooklyn, New York, to parents of Ashkenazi Jewish descent.

He received his undergraduate degree in mathematics from Ohio State University, where he was a member of Alpha Epsilon Pi.

[citation needed] Appleman later moved to Washington, D.C., where he worked as a coordinator in a drug rehabilitation clinic.

[3][4][5][6] In his long career as a professional poker player, he has won four bracelets and has finished in the money of the $10,000 no limit hold'em Main Event in 1987 (8th),[7] 1989 (22nd),[8] 1990 (20th),[9] and 2000 (9th).

[10] In 2008, Appleman appeared on NBC's Poker After Dark show in the episode "Mayfair Club."