LeBell was still teaching grappling and doing stunts in his 70s. Who was 'Judo' Gene LeBell? Martial artist, 89, was the - MEAWW [7] Despite his pedigree, he did not get over immediately with audiences but gradually became known for his martial arts background. A tribute to the late martial artist, stuntman, actor and pro wrestler Gene LeBell. The Mandalorian Season 3 Episode 1 Deep Dive, The Biggest Questions About the Seasons Stretch Run, KDs Suns Debut, Load Management, and Five-Year Anniversary of the Rockets-Clippers Tunnel Debacle. "[24], Seagal bodyguard and stuntman Steven Lambert, stated he was present and said that a confrontation did happen. A true legend with a legacy of amazing stunt history. Plus, does starting Tyrese Maxey versus DeAnthony Melton make a difference on the defensive end? Gene LeBell's martial arts career was supported and influenced by his mother "Red Head" Aileen Eaten who was a promoter of both sports and who owned the Olympic Auditorium in Los Angeles. Congratulations Uncle Gene! Gene has trained with numerous other world champion martial artists includingChuck Norris,Bill Wallace, andBenny Urquidez. Gene LeBell Had A Hilarious Response To That Famous Steven - Looper Gene LeBell had three children including stuntman son David LeBell and FBI . Gene LeBell Record, Net Worth, Weight, Age & More. The athletic youngster tested himself with such self-imposed challenges as scaling 60-foot-high lighting stanchions to replace spent bulbs. An agreement was reached for the match to last five rounds, each lasting three minutes. Two hundred of his friends, students, and family gathered at Hayastan MMA Academy in North. He popularized grappling in pro-fighting circles and had a famous run-in with Steven Seagal. He is highly respected by many martial artists all over the world, and has . It must be said at this stage that . Even more appreciated by those of us choked out by you !!! He was born in Los Angeles, California. Stuntman Gene LeBell might not have been around since Hollywood's first fist fight, but his skill has transformed the genre. [27] He also did interviews for magazines, newspapers, and radio. Gary Goltz. After earning these titles, LeBell made the transition to professional wrestling because of the promise of better earnings in the sport. judo. Beck engaged in abundant trash-talk, but revealed a very limited knowledge of martial arts, seemingly mistaking judo for karate. "My . Way to go Uncle Gene!!! I had a 2-stroke so i had to unload at an area specifiedthe 4-strokes rode the streets to the mountains and riding area.As i was driving my bike in my pick-up.Gene passed me standing on the seat of his XR doin a wheelieGene is an Amazing man.Open arms.. to a choke-out! Along the way, his list of big-name collaborators, students, and opponents became as packed as his CV; in addition to Lee, . He believed in me which made me believe in myself. How Do We Solve This Crisis? The Toughest Man Alive. The damage inflicted definitely favored Inoki, who battered Alis legs sufficiently that the Greatest struggled with his mobility in a fight against Ken Norton later that year, but LeBellwho had Inoki slightly ahead on his own scorecard, per the account in journalist Josh Grosss book Ali vs. Inoki: The Forgotten Fight That Inspired Mixed Martial Arts and Launched Sports Entertainmentchose to deduct points for an illegal groin strike, thus affording Ali a split-decision draw that showcased how dull MMA could get without the appropriate rules in place. Logan Holladay, Congratulations to Uncle Gene for a lifetime of stunts and terrorizing the stunt people; either riding dirt bikes or putting them to sleep. A long overdue, but well deserved award. Gene LeBell, the colorful judo champion, wrestler and stuntman who trained Bruce Lee, fought Elvis Presley and John Wayne in the movies and was an inspiration for Brad Pitt's character in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, has died.He was 89. Ron DeSantis presidential prospects, Taft football coach Jeff Kearin steps down in support of school faculty member, Baram and Tioumentsev win World Junior title hours after their coach, Todd Sand, suffers heart attack, Snow collapses roof of Goodwin and Sons, Crestlines only grocery store, Gracie Abrams behind Good Riddance message in Los Angeles sky, Tax filing deadline moves to mid-October for most Californians, Alpine Village shopkeepers get confirmation: theyre being evicted, Ex-sheriffs deputy gets 100 hours of community service for shooting hoax, $31 million goes to San Fernando Valley light-rail line and to engage community, Who will replace ex-LA councilmember Nury Martinez? After winning amateur national competitions in judo, LeBell decided to make the switch to pro wrestling as it offered more lucrative earnings. He has trained several notable students including Bruce Lee, Chuck Norris, and Ronda Rousey. With a background in judo and jiu-jitsu, LeBell was the mastermind behind some of the greatest fighters in the world. (James C. Udel, Variety, 2018), The remarkable Judo Gene LeBell was still teaching grappling and doing stunts well into his 80s. Two hundred of his friends, students, and family gathered at Hayastan MMA Academy in North Hollywood to celebrate his storied life and remember how he touched each of them in a way only LeBell could. Without locking the hold, Seagal side stepped and swung his forearm backwards into his crotch. He was known as one the best stuntmen in his early days and his influence in the worlds of mixed martial arts and wrestling still. They shared their stories about the Toughest Man Alive and Godfather of Grapplings warmth and generosity. Congratulations Gene LeBell! "Judo" Gene LeBell the "Godfather of Grappling" is both a renowned ex-world champion in both wrestling/judo, and one of Hollywood's busiest stuntmen. In June of 1976, LeBell served as the referee during the infamous boxing versus wrestling match between Muhammad Ali and Antonio Inoki in Japan. Lewis, Friendship is born at the moment when one person says to another: What! Is Golden State a sleeping giant? He is there to help you any time any where. (James C. Udel, Variety, 2018), Gene started training in judo at a young age, and at the age of 20 in 1954, he won National AAU Heavyweight Judo Championship and the USA Overall Judo Championship title. As wellback in the day..i drove out to ride motos with Gene & some friends at his area in Frazier Park. David would look at me glassy eyed and say No you dont! Aloha, Brian Keaulana, Congratulations Gene! Lee was especially interested in exploring grappling with help from him and exchanged ideas[19] on various fighting techniques. He learnt that the hard way when he came face to face with 'Judo' Gene Lebell and boasted that he was able to escape any hold that the human body could throw at him. Nicknamed "The Godfather of Grappling", he popularized grappling in professional fighting circles, serving as a precursor to modern mixed martial arts. He is the author of 12 martial arts books. He was also a Nevada and California Athletic Commission judge, including judging UFC 74 (Randy Couture vs. Gabriel Gonzaga) and his website judogene.com is visited by martial arts and film fans all over the globe. Others awarded have been James Cagney, Kirk Douglas, Karl Malden, Cesar Romero, Mickey Rooney, and Sylvester Stallone (movie stars that also did boxing and wrestling). An incredible life being rightfully recognized. All my love and respect Matt Taylor, Aloha Uncle Gene, Mahalo for sharing your secret Hawaiian Hug mahalo for all your knowledge & advice that youve given. Gene LeBell's most famous match was his match with boxer/wrestler Milo Savage. We are all so proud of you, youre a legend. Well done sir! Proud to be your friend! It always put a smile on my face when you would call the SAMP office. Gene LeBell was a man who lived a full and adventurous life. He taught me how to fight, taught me how to ride. On Sunday, Oct. 9, legendary martial artist and stuntman "Judo" Gene LeBell would have turned 90. Youre not only a legend to me but a great, great friend. Youve not only accomplished a great name in our industry but many,many brothers and sister stunt people that admire and love you very much. Congrats my friend and God Bless. Gene taught my three sons how to take every day life in the training under Gene. You are an inspiration!! Former stuntman, wrestling promoter Gene LeBell dead at 89 As a stuntman, Gene has worked on more than 1000 film and television projects during a career that has spanned over 50 years. Its an honor to be your student and friend. Gene LeBell began his martial arts training at the age of 13 and went on to become the "Godfather of Grappling" and is considered by many to be the . Congrats to the amazing living legend John Stoneham, Jr. Congratulations Gene, you know I love you, and Im so very very proud of you. Beck claimed that a boxer could defeat any martial artist in a straight fight and offered $1000 to anyone who could prove otherwise. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG), Martial artist Bas Rutten poses for a photo with Midge LeBell, wife of Judo Gene LeBell, during a celebration of his life on what would have been Genes 90th birthday at Hayastan MMA Academy in North Hollywood Sunday, October 9, 2022. [3][4], In 2000, the United States Ju-Jitsu Federation (USJJF) promoted LeBell to 9th dan in jujitsu and taihojutsu. Love and Respect John C Meier, Gene, I first met you at the Olympic Auditorium many years ago, i cant believe how fast time has past, As a Great stuntman, Actor, Olympian and Teacher being Prolific to this Business you have planted many many seeds in Future Stunt men and stunt women, because of your thoughtful and kind hart this business will be Blessed with talent worthy of calling you Teacher and Friend, Your Long Lost, Brother From Another Mother, and Friend, Love You, Henry Kingi, Uncle GeneI can remember taking your class when I was a young stunt grunt. It was in her promotion that a Texas-born grappler named George Wagner first donned an elaborate robe, dyed his hair blond, walked to the ring with a valet, and became the 1950s television sensation Gorgeous George, the toast of the coast.. You used to practice on your son David and I used to say to him I want to try that too, to be choked out by your dad. Born in Los Angeles in 1932, LeBell was shipped off to a military. Mickey Gilbert, Ill never forget working with Gene in Minneapolis for David Ellis. The boxer's side demanded a stipulation in which the smaller and older Savage (Savage was 39 while LeBell was 31 at the date of the fight) could use any type of punch, while the judoka could not kick, in the apparent belief LeBell was a karateka. He is currently the head grappling coach at Jaco Hybrid Training Center.He is the former head grappling coach at both . In a fifty year career of high falls and fist fights, Gene LeBell has crashed cars, jumped motorcycles, wrestled bears, incited riots and fought some of the deadliest men in the world. His notable students include Rousey, WWE Hall of Famer Roddy Piper, and Chuck Norris, among others. Stunt coordinator Bennie Dobbins begged LeBell to humble Lee, who allegedly beat up on his stuntmen throughout the shows production. Thank you for all you have done for those of us blessed to learn from you. You truly are a one-off, a living legend. The award couldnt be given to a better or greater person, that trained many motion pictures stuntmen in and out of the motion picture Industry. Heavyweight and Overall Judo Championships in 1954, and again in 1955 - long before Judo became an Olympic sport and was broadly appreciated in the western world. R.I.P. legendary wrestler and stunt performer Gene LeBell - The A.V. Club Bruce and I had a bond with the martial arts, and we would get together frequently. At 12 LeBell took up judo. Lance Gilbert, Gene , you are surely deserving of this achievement even though your humility wont allow you to agree with us. At Hayastan MMA Academy, the focus is to teach our students a variety of Martial Art disciplines - We specialize in Judo, Sambo, Wrestling, Gi and No Gi Grappling, Boxing, Kickboxing and MMA. Not long after, he began training judo. Beck engaged in a great deal of pre-fight trash talk, but it was clear that he had very little knowledge of Japanese martial arts even going as far as confusing traditional judo for karate. Seagal himself denies the entire situation, calling LeBell a sick, pathological scumbag liar, though even Seagals former bodyguard Steven Lambert tells a version of the story that has Seagal attempting to resist LeBells application of the hold before winding up on the ground, though remaining conscious throughout. LeBell recalled throwing Lee over his shoulder and running around set as Lee screamed, Put me down or Ill kill you. The pair became friends, and LeBell taught Lee judo and wrestling moves, many of which Lee used in his movies, The Way of The Dragon and Enter the Dragon., He was the best martial artist of his time, LeBell recalled in Black Belt Magazine. The two became close friends, but the actors untimely death stymied LeBells chance for future speaking parts. whose residence contained hours of phone recordings, was acquitted on a murder charge but convicted and sentenced to probation as an accessory, Bryan Danielson Is the Best Hes Ever Been According to Bryan Danielson, Jon Joness Last Stand, Wembys Ceiling, Jokic Backlash, and UFOs With Ariel Helwani and Chuck Klosterman. In a story worthy of the detective novels of Raymond Chandler, LeBell, who drove California pornography magnate Jack Ginsburgs to the murder scene, was acquitted on a murder charge but convicted and sentenced to probation as an accessory for his role in transporting Ginsburgs to the murdera conviction later overturned by the California Court of Appeals in a heavily fact-dependent decision based on careful interpretation of state rules of evidence rather than any new proof of LeBells innocence. As a lifelong student of what we have come to call combat sports, still living and teaching at age 87, LeBell has become one of the world's experts. [10], The loss by Savage, the hometown favorite, caused the crowd to react violently. Did Judo Gene Lebell defeat Bruce Lee? If not, would Bruce Lee - Quora Joseph Davis, Gene is truly a genuine Good person and a great friend. Love ya Gene. You can follow him on Twitter (@MoustacheClubUS) and read more of his work at www.oliverbateman.com. He was known by many as the Godfather of Grappling, and influenced fighters around the world. LeBell also gained notoriety for the way he dealt with the notoriously eccentric and aggressive Steven Seagal on the set of the 1991 film Out for Justice. Gene LeBell was born on October 9, 1932. And in February, 2005 Gene LeBell was promoted to 9th degree black belt in judo by USJJF. [9], Encouraged by Ed Parker,[8] LeBell accepted the challenge and travelled to Salt Lake City to meet Beck. Gene LeBell Dead: Stuntman, Actor And Wrestling Legend Was 89 - Deadline LeBells roots in combat sports ran deep. While men like Wagner and later Freddie Blassie and Dick the Destroyer Beyer would headline Eatons wrestling cards, the young LeBellbereft of a father figurestarted at the very bottom, learning the ropes in the hardest away imaginable, twisted into pretzels by grapplers like the aging Evan Strangler Lewis, from whom LeBell asked to learn the Stranglers signature headlock when LeBell was the tender age of 7. Part of HuffPost Entertainment. thank you so much for all the encouragement over all these decades . A student of catch wrestling titans Lou Thesz, Karl Gotch, and Ed "Strangler" Lewis, LeBell's notable students include Bruce Lee, Chuck Norris, Benny "The Jet" Urquidez, "Rowdy" Roddy Piper and Ronda Rousey. LeBell also worked on over 1,000 movies and TV shows [1] and authored 12 books. Congratulations, Connie P Conrad Palmisano, Congratulations Uncle Gene for receiving the lifetime award. !Thanks for the memories!! God bless. [7] LeBell took up catch wrestling under Ed "Strangler" Lewis at age 7, and later moved to train in judo. Answer (1 of 12): Well It seems to be a bit of a controversy about this. In June 1976, LeBell refereed the infamous boxing-versus-wrestling contest between Muhammad Ali and Antonio Inoki in Tokyo, Japan. After his competitive career, Gene LeBell and his brother Mike would run the National Wrestling Alliance's Los Angeles region between 1968 and 1982. Gene LeBell, 89, Judo Champion, Wrestler and Star Stuntman, Dies Love you brother congratulations! Gene LeBell Record, Net Worth, Weight, Age & More! After spending time training Judo overseas in Japan at the Kodokan, in 1954 the 22 year old Gene Lebell would capture both the heavyweight and the overall Judo Championships. A brief google of you name brings up pages and pages of awesome stories about what youve really accomplished in so many fields. He was set to compete the following day and being a Saturday evening when he received the now colored uniform, he had to compete in the pink uniform. Ivan Judo Gene LeBell (October 9, 1932 August 9, 2022) was an American martial artist, stunt performer, actor, and professional wrestler. Craig Hosking, Congratulations Gene you are a legend! Freddie Blassie, who starred for Aileen Eaton and Mike LeBell for decades, wrote in his autobiography Legends of Wrestling: Listen, You Pencil Neck Geeks that LeBells believability in the ring wasnt what mattered to Mike and Aileenit was his credibility: When the family needed an enforcer to step into the ring with a wrestler who didnt want to go along with the program, all they had to do was open Genes bedroom door and tell him to get into his wrestling gear.. Stunts Unlimited Member Gene LeBell was presented with the Taurus Lifetime Achievement Award on Saturday, May 13th, 2017 for his outstanding contribution to the world of action feature films. I was driving a weenie mobile and Gene was driving a truck and they wanted a near miss, so we did the take and they said we werent close enough we showed em the paint scraped off the sides of the cars and they said, Okay, I guess youre right. I get his patches every year, got em all right here. [21], The popularity of this incident led LeBell to be counted in 1992 as a potential additional member of Robert Wall's controversial "Dirty Dozen," a group of martial artists willing to answer to a public challenge made by Seagal. It was Beck's contention that a boxer would be able to defeat any martial artist in a fight and he put up $1000 to anyone who defeat the boxer in this challenge match. Outside of the fight game, LeBell worked in film & television, appearing in multiple Elvis Presley movies and working on The Green Hornet TV series, where he struck up a friendship with Bruce Lee. Judo Gene LeBell the Godfather of Grappling was both a renowned ex-world champion in both wrestling/judo, and one of Hollywoods busiest stuntmen. In the the Quentin Tarantino film "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood", Bruce Lee was made to look as an arrogant martial arts actor. Long overdue! After his mother remarried, LeBell was raised near L.A.s old Olympic Auditorium. Gene LeBell - Biography - IMDb Featuring "Judo" Gene LeBell's champion student "The Armenian Assassin" Gokor Chivichyan and friends." . Some have pointed out that LeBell making easy work of Lee on set may have inspired the scene in Quentin Tarantinos Once Upon a Time in Hollywood in which Brad Pitt, playing veteran stuntman Cliff Booth, has his way with Bruce Lee (played by actor and martial artist Mike Moh) in an on-set sparring match. On March 18, 1995, the Cauliflower Alley Club again honored LeBell by presenting him with the "Iron Mike Mazurki" award; presented by one of his teachers, legendary professional wrestling champion Lou Thesz. Gene LeBell would become involved in a challenge match proposed by boxer and writer Jim Beck to all practitioners of Japanese martial arts. Instructed through brutal tutorials by professional wrestlers and old-school masters, he developed adult skills by 13. In return, the boxer's camp agreed that he would wear a Judo Gi or uniform, although he ultimately wore a Karate Gi which fit much tighter and was more difficult to grab onto. LeBell later mentored world-class athletes and silver screen legends. Billy Robinson. Tanner Gill, Congrats Uncle Gene!! I was told that all the judo and karate people were not making any money at that time; they were starving, LeBell recalled in that interview. Weve worked together for over (50) years and its been (50) years of pure delight. Well deserved. Gene LeBell, a renowned stuntman who trained Bruce Lee and inspired the likes of Quentin Tarantino, died in his sleep Tuesday morning at his home in Sherman Oaks, California, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The toughest man alive by Gene LeBell . LeBell was 89 years old. Sat 9th Apr 2022 19.30 BST. (Gene LeBell Biography), Born in Los Angeles in 1932, LeBell was shipped off to a military school at age 6 by his full-time working mom after his father died in a surfing accident. Still working on the Pro Wrestling Finishing Holds book techniques to this day! This is very much deserved. We couldnt prouder. You always got the cool moves to Choke em Out .. stay healthy my friend .. Love, Troy Gilbert, Unreal. I tried to get your son some work but hes always at the beach. Gene LeBell, iconic martial arts pioneer, dies at the age of 89 - Daily [28], LeBell was friends with world champion judoka AnnMaria De Mars, and had known her daughter, Olympic judoka, mixed martial artist and professional wrestler Ronda Rousey since her birth. Melanson specializes in catch wrestling, while drawing elements from judo, and focuses his coaching specifically on grappling in mixed martial arts.He is especially known for his guard work, leg locks and triangle chokes. Legend Gene LeBell's Life Is Set To Be Made Into A Book And Film Neil Melanson - Wikipedia Unfortunately, Bruce Lee passed away a few years later in 1973. It was LeBells first movieland lesson: Always let the star win. Ivan Gene LeBell (born October 9, 1932) is an American martial artist, instructor, stunt performer, and professional wrestler born in Los Angeles, California. Along the way, he trained scores of future greats in a variety of disciplines, from Rowdy Roddy Piper in wrestling to Rowdy Ronda Rousey in judo (she, too, eventually wound up in the wrestling business), and even managed to extricate himself from being convicted in the 1976 murder of a private detective who had been digging up dirt on a host of California notables. By the time he transitioned to judo in the early 1950s, LeBell had already spent untold hours in submission holds and on the receiving end of punches from boxers like the great Sugar Ray Robinson at L.A.s famous Main Street Gym. LeBell, Gene [WorldCat Identities] Erik Stabenau, Congratulations Gene. His death was announced by Kellie Cunningham, his trustee and business manager, who did not. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG). [7], LeBell was requested to confirm the story publicly in an interview with Ariel Helwani in 2012, but he avoided answering the question, albeit implying that the incident was true. He was seen in Rousey's corner during matches and celebrated her victories with her. So happy for you. Gregg Smrz, So well deserved! Theres way too much to say to even begin to scratch the surface of the career and life Gene lived, wrote the Stuntmans Association of Motion Pictures in a statement to Variety. LeBells Rolodex is not just one hall of fame roster, but multiple, as hes played integral roles in the worlds of boxing, judo, wrestling, and Hollywood stunt-work. [25], LeBell has earned himself the nicknames "Judo" Gene LeBell, "the Godfather of Grappling" and also "the toughest man alive" for his participation in combat sports.