You were a better reference than SAG! He will be missed by all who knew and loved him, especially us. [citation needed], While serving as stunt coordinator for the film Out for Justice, starring Steven Seagal, Seagal stated that due to his aikido training he was 'immune' to being choked unconscious. August 10, 2022 1:24pm. Gene LeBell in 2010 and with Lindsay Wagner on 'The Bionic Woman' in 1976 GI. Grand Master Gi Grappling by Gokor Chivichyan. Few will live a life as extraordinary as Gene LeBell has. He was 89. [10], The loss by Savage, the hometown favorite, caused the crowd to react violently. "[21], When Seagal was asked about the incident, he denied the incident took place, calling LeBell a "sick, pathological scumbag liar" and offered the name of a witness who could discredit the other account. Steven Seagal was a highly trained aikido expert and because of this, he would proclaim to the world that he was immune to choking. As soon as he landed, LeBell used a foot sweep to sweep Seagal off the floor, with Seagal landing on his back. After getting his black belt, he went to Japan to train in judo at the Kodokan. Bottles, chairs, and other debris were thrown into the ring. For LeBell, one martial art naturally flowed into another; they were already mixing together in his curious mind. 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 . 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. Never ever have I known a man so talented, having so much wisdom and experience, so giving of his knowledge and skills and yet being so humble. if thirty people are watching, let them talk about it. We love him! He is a two time AAU National Judo Champion and he was a professional wrestling world heavyweight champion . Even more appreciated by those of us choked out by you !!! Jimmy Roberts, Gene youve always told me Im the best but your THE GREATEST Love ya, Manny Perry, I owe everything to Gene. Well deserved.- Bonnie Happy, Well deserved. Congrats to the amazing living legend John Stoneham, Jr. Congratulations Gene, you know I love you, and Im so very very proud of you. 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. He is the author of 12 martial arts books. In December 1939, his parents went to Chinatown, San Francisco in California for an international opera tour. Sammy Horowitz, Congratulations Gene, its about time you were acknowledged for your amazing contribution to the stunt world. Here's an attempt to share some of those posts and tweets from the cross . [10] Also, according to LeBell and other sources, Savage's gloves contained brass knuckles[9][10] and he had greased up his gi with vaseline to make gripping it more difficult. It is with a heavy heart that we recognize our past member and friend, Mr. Gene LeBell, has passed on. AEW Revolution Preview, and Whats Going on With Brock, Bray, Bobby, and Omos? It wasnt exactly an elite-level boxer facing down a grappler, but it did offer a variation on the Ultimate Fighting Championship model that LeBells long-time acquaintances, the Gracie family, would partner with Bob Meyrowitz to launch in 1993right down to the initial audience confusion and cautious feeling-out process between the athletes. [17] Ultimately, nothing came from it. He had spent time in Japan training at the Kodokan. He is loved by so many and admired by countless others. Judo Gene LeBell was famous for his catch wrestling technique that later became an influence in both pro wrestling and mixed martial arts. Challenge coins, decorated with an image of LeBell, were sold for donations, which raised more than $2,000. He deserves this award. Heffay Cadiente, Big congrats Uncle Gene! Sat 9th Apr 2022 19.30 BST. The fun motorcycle rides we used to go on out at the Pig Farm and at your mountain house. LeBell!!! August 18 | 2022. blackbeltmag.com. [2] [7][10] Savage even attempted to sweep the judoka in one instance. [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. The two became close friends, but the actors untimely death stymied LeBells chance for future speaking parts. Neil Melanson is an American submission grappling coach. As wellback in the day..i drove out to ride motos with Gene & some friends at his area in Frazier Park. LeBell was 89 years old. Gregg Smrz, So well deserved! LeBell's longtime friend Bas Rutten first revealed the news on Facebook. The grappling club master . Gene taught my three sons how to take every day life in the training under Gene. (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. [10][11] Nevertheless, LeBell got mount and found the opportunity to execute an armbar, but he opted instead to seek a choke, concluding that Savage would not surrender to a broken arm. The Cauliflower Alley Club presented the award. On August 7, 2004, the World Martial Arts Masters Association promoted him to 10th degree. Part of HuffPost Entertainment. Congratulations Gene Eric Norris, Gene LeBell is my hero and always has been. Our aim is to create a shop for BJJ Students who don't look at Jiu-Jitsu as a sport - but a lifestyle. August 10, 2022 1:24pm. The Toughest Man Alive. Mike Bohn. You always got the cool moves to Choke em Out .. stay healthy my friend .. Love, Troy Gilbert, Unreal. (Gene LeBell Biography). Some of his most famous students were, Ronda Rousey, Sugar Ray Robinson,. Cheers! Previously, he was married to Eleanor Martindale between 1975 and 1976, Eileen Murillo (1960), Olga Allen between 1957 until 1959, and Midge LeBell before that. Jim Winburn, Long time coming Papa Gene. Mickey Gilbert, Ill never forget working with Gene in Minneapolis for David Ellis. I have always been inspired by this quality in you Uncle Gene and I cherish the memories of the many great experiences we have had together. 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. With love and affection, Sandy Gimpel, Congrats on your big nite!! [citation needed] In addition he also worked on the set of the Green Hornet TV show, in which he developed a friendship with Bruce Lee. [4] LeBell appeared in three Elvis Presley movies as a minor character who starts a fight with the character played by Presley. ", "Gene LeBell and Ronda Rousey's golden lineage", "Killer's Impending Parole Scuttled by Extortion Plot", "Los Angeles Stirred by Detective's Mysterious Death", "Judo legend Gene LeBell passes away aged 89 years old", "Gene LeBell, Famed Stuntman and "Godfather of Grappling," Dies at 89", "NWA Hall of Fame Class for 2011 announced", "North American Heavyweight Title (W. Texas)", Seagal vs LeBell resolved Fact, Fiction & Eye-Witness Testimony on the Urban Legend, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Gene_LeBell&oldid=1141444745, NWA "Beat the Champ" Television Champions, Articles lacking reliable references from May 2021, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles needing additional references from May 2021, All articles needing additional references, All Wikipedia articles written in American English, Pages using embedded infobox templates with the title parameter, Articles with unsourced statements from May 2021, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 25 February 2023, at 02:59. [9], The match took place on December 2, 1963. He judged UFC 74 (Randy Couture vs. Gabriel Gonzaga) plus he had a highly popular website visited by martial arts and film fans all over the globe. Ivan Gene LeBell (October 9, 1932 - August 9, 2022) was an American martial artist, instructor, stunt performer, and professional wrestler. LeBell lived long enough to learn submission wrestling from the likes of Ed Strangler Lewis, study judo in postwar Japan, win the first notable mixed martial arts match in 1963 and then referee the much-hyped but disappointing 1976 proto-MMA showdown between boxer Muhammad Ali and wrestler Antonio Inoki, trade fighting tips and blows with a young Bruce Lee on the set of The Green Hornet, allegedly choke out martial-arts action star Steven Seagal on the set of Out for Justice in 1991, and even decline an invitation to the early Ultimate Fighting Championship events when he and 82-year-old jujitsu pioneer Hlio Gracie couldnt settle on a fighting weight. Gene Lebell, who had an acting and stunt career that stretched from The Adventures of Ozzie . Gene LeBell won his weight class and the overall championship in 1955 as well. [20], LeBell also appeared in "The World of Martial Arts Budojujitsu". (James C. Udel, Variety, 2018), The remarkable Judo Gene LeBell was still teaching grappling and doing stunts well into his 80s. Congrats Rick Avery, Congratulations Uncle Gene! LeBells career wasnt without controversy of its own, thoughnot long after refereeing the Ali-Inoki fight in 1976, he was arrested for his role in the murder of private investigator Robert Duke Hall, whose residence contained hours of phone recordings connected to powerful local figures and even the 1972 presidential campaign of Richard Nixon. I feel really fortunate to have had him as a part of my life as it is, and really glad to also been able to tell him what an amazing human being, and what an amazing martial artist, he was straight to his face.. Alan Oliney, Hey Gene, Thanks for being a four-star mentor to so many and thanks for being Gene Lebell. LeBell later mentored world-class athletes and silver screen legends. Over the course of this six-decade career, LeBell had a hand in training many prominent players in the entertainment, wrestling, and MMA worlds. Ronda Rousey. [5], LeBell has been reported as the inspiration for the character of Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt) in Quentin Tarantino's Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. 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. [3][4], In 2000, the United States Ju-Jitsu Federation (USJJF) promoted LeBell to 9th dan in jujitsu and taihojutsu. Ronda Rousey, Bryan Danielson, and many more idolized the . Well done sir! [7][8], Following his combat sports career, LeBell, along with his brother Mike, ran the National Wrestling Alliance's Los Angeles territory, NWA Hollywood Wrestling, from 1968 to 1982. RIP Gene LeBell - Part II. He was acquitted and continued performing stunts for the big and small screen, alike. 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). LeBell also worked on over 1,000 movies and TV shows [1] and authored 12 books. Congratulations Uncle Gene! The combatants were initially cautious, with LeBell being the first in pressing the action by attempting to throw Savage down. You are an inspiration!! LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA- Famous wrestler, Martial artist Ivan Gene LeBell better known as Gene LeBell, passes away at 89. LeBell, who also authored more than 12 books on martial arts that simultaneously chronicled his storied career, is survived by his wife Eleanor, children Monica and David, stepchildren Danny and Stacy, and grandchildren Daniel, Tyler and Nicholas. "[22] After being asked whether he was not going to directly confirm it, LeBell said: "Well, if thirty people are watching, let them talk about it. Seagal, a towering man who had a background in the Japanese martial art of aikido, has long battled with stunt choreographers and fight trainers on setin Shooters, Jonathan Snowden quotes Pride announcer Stephen Quadross story of engaging in an uncomfortable series of wristlock exchanges with Seagal on the set of the 2001 film Exit Woundsbut by most accounts (and there are many), his encounter with LeBell went poorly. Born in Los Angeles in 1932, LeBell was shipped off to a military. Gary Goltz. [26], The pink colored judo gi became a trademark of LeBell and was a result of a laundry mixup while preparing for a competition in Japan. LeBell's students included AnnMaria De Mars, the first American to ever win a gold medal at the World Judo Championships in 1984, and De Mars' daughter, Ronda Rousey, who became the first. LeBell was selected from over 200 other applicants to referee the bout. Please enter a valid email and try again. The only thing that is different is that judo has strangleholds, which arent done in pro wrestling., Although LeBell considered full-time careers as a boxer and a judoka, the lure of better money in pro wrestling and Hollywood stunt productionsas well as connections to both industriesled him into those fields. David would look at me glassy eyed and say No you dont! LeBell authored at least twelve books, including: On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. This set the Japanese crowd livid, as it was considered very insulting, but they somewhat calmed down after LeBell went on to win his division. There is no one alive on this planet that deserves this Life Time Achievement Award more than you. To round out his education in the martial arts, he also began frequenting the Main Street Gym in Los Angeles, where the West Coast's best boxers gathered. Besides being a boxer, Milo Savage also had a background in wrestling. 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. When I first came to town in 1987, I remember trying to get my hands on one those Stunt Rate breakdown cards you used to make. Erik Stabenau, Congratulations Gene. The athletic youngster tested himself with such self-imposed challenges as scaling 60-foot-high lighting stanchions to replace spent bulbs. Jimmy Halty, Congratulations Gene. Proud to be your friend! LeBell, preferring to let others do the talking for him, told MMA journalist Ariel Helwani in 2012 that if thirty people are watching, let them talk about it.. 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. Chris Pellitteri, Mr. Gene LeBell ; Thank you for your kindness and wisdom over the years. Confidential (1997) Batman & Robin (1997), Rush Hour (1998), The Man on the Moon (1999) Men in Black II (2002), Spiderman 2 (2004), Starsky & Hutch (2004), Over his career, LeBell was bludgeoned, shot, run over, karate-chopped (he became friends with Bruce Lee) and drowned for $2,000 per week earning more than most lawyers during those days. LeBell was 89 years old. LeBell, who spent much of his later years overseeing the National Wrestling Alliance in Los Angeles, was even charged with murder when private investigator Robert Duke Hall was killed in 1976. [8] Gene also wrestled under a black mask as The Hangman, teaming up with Roy Staggs. LeBell helped Seagal up. After an illustrious judo career, Gene tried his hand at professional wrestling, and actually won the heavyweight title in Amarillo, Texas. Youre not only a legend to me but a great, great friend. He was born in Los Angeles, California. [18], LeBell has worked on over 1,000 films, TV shows and commercials as a stuntman or as an actor (including multiple appearances as himself). Hollywood stuntman and martial artist Gene LeBell has died. Enjoyed reading about Gene Lebell? Scott Wilder, Thank you Sensei for paving the way for martial artists in this biz! . Thank you, Mr. LeBell! Gene LeBell Record, Net Worth, Weight, Age & More. He sparred with James Cagney while shooting Blood on the Sun in 1945, allowing the famous actor to dominate the 20-minute skirmish which garnered rave reviews. Ya big goofball!!! Within seconds, Savage fell unconscious and LeBell was declared the winner. Seventeen years before the UFC debuted, though, LeBell refereed arguably the most notable mixed martial arts clash of the era, serving as the third man in the ring for the Muhammad AliAntonio Inoki superfight in Tokyo. His notable students include Rousey, WWE Hall of Famer Roddy Piper, and Chuck Norris, among others. To start academies, and then have a lineage of students that he brought up, not just martial arts but also film., Barnett said of his accomplishments, Its really just incredible to see someone be able to tip the scales of the world with just his own hands like that. Ivan Judo Gene LeBell (October 9, 1932 August 9, 2022) was an American martial artist, stunt performer, actor, and professional wrestler. Well deserved my hat is off to you sir!!! By entering your email and clicking Sign Up, you're agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. Mike Smith, Congratulations on this most deserving award for a really great guy. The latter then accepted, but only if LeBell could drop 100 pounds to reach his weight, otherwise he would have to face Royce's brothers, similarly 20 years younger than LeBell though still lighter than him. He was acquitted of the murder charge but convicted as an accessory for driving the convicted murderer, pornographer Jack Ginsburgs, to and from the murder scene. Well deserved my friend, and sensei! He sparred with James Cagney while shooting "Blood on the Sun" in 1945, allowing the famous actor to dominate the 20-minute skirmish which . Wrestlers & MMA stars pay tribute to Gene LeBell. He is the greatest!! Unfortunately, Bruce Lee passed away a few years later in 1973. He was a Nevada and California Athletic Commission judge. LeBell accompanied Ronda Rousey to the cage for some of her MMA matches in recent years, and served as a MMA judge through 2018. LeBell judged fights for several decades, but retired from it after Golden Boy Promotions: Liddell vs. Ortiz 3 on November 24, 2018. They thought of each other has good friends but Gene Lebell said he taught Bruce Lee but Bruce said they shared techniques but not as a teacher/student relationsh. American judoka and martial arts instructor (19322022), "The Hangman (wrestler)" redirects here. If you saw Quentin Tarantino's . Ivan Gene LeBell (born October 9, 1932) is an American martial artist, instructor, stunt performer, and professional wrestler born in Los Angeles, California. Im honored to know you! Hamstrung by rules barring takedowns, strikes on the ground, and submission holds, the fight devolved into a tedious 15-round affair in which Ali taunted and showboated while Inoki crab-walked along the mat, kicking Alis legs. With only one uniform in his luggage, he wore the pink gi in Japan, and beat the competition. Your positivity and generosity knows no limit. Although LeBell would remain undefeated in the sport for eight years, even traveling to Japan in 1955 to further his judo skillsand, following a laundry mishap, adopt the pink gi that became a signature piece of his in-ring lookhis interests were too varied to allow him to focus exclusively on one sport. Whats legacy, anyway? Then consider checking: 100 Cummings Ctr. Gary Davis, So awesome!!! He is currently 89 years old. Christian Fletcher, Congratulations Gene! Still, he continued to get regular stunt work on TV. An incredible life being rightfully recognized. [7] Despite his pedigree, he did not get over immediately with audiences but gradually became known for his martial arts background. For 89 years, few did that work better than Judo Gene LeBell. Mr. LeBell died on Aug. 9 at his home in the Sherman Oaks neighborhood of Los Angeles. Chuck & Charlotte Waters, Special man and amazing human being, so deserving of this recognition. It was agreed that the match would last five 3 three minute rounds. Working with Gene on many television and films, I learned how to take judo and marital art punches and kicks and fly through the air, crazing through various objects to the ground . Ivan "Judo" Gene LeBell (October 9, 1932 - August 9, 2022) was an American martial artist, stunt performer, actor, and professional wrestler. So, congratulation Gene LeBell from the Winburn families for receiving the Taurus Lifetime Achievement Award. J.N. Anil Rai, Congratulations Mr. Savanah Dawn Lilley, The one and only Uncle Gene! A industry standard, and great human being! It always put a smile on my face when you would call the SAMP office. Rick Seaman, Well Geno, they said it couldnt be done but youve done it again. (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. So to be a martial artist of his degree in the art of Judo is incredible; to be a pro wrestler of that level, incredible; but then to go into stunts and the motorcycle riding and the acting and everything else. LeBells roots in combat sports ran deep. He has fought, trained and performed with a dizzying array of some of the most prolific athletes and actors in the world. 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. For most of Eatons time in the business, she was the only major female fight promoter in the United States, possibly even the world. Ill be there to shake your hand tomorrow. Those are just some of the names that Gene LeBell has trained with, not to mention the countless other celebrities and luminaries hes worked alongside during his decades-long careers as a pioneering mixed martial artist, a professional wrestler, and a stuntman. In 2000, the United States Ju-Jitsu Federation (USJJF) promoted him to 9th Dan in jujitsu and taihojutsu. Ill toast you from Texas! He is highly respected by many martial artists all over the world, and has . Tim Gilbert, This tribute is well deserved. Love ya, Bax Craig Baxley, Sr. Gene LeBell: Bruce Lee in the UFC, Ronda Rousey, if anybody can beat her, Judo in MMA, Jimmy Kimmel, Congratulations Gene..its about time!!! It was a fascinating collection of people mourning too, from the world of pro wrestling, mixed martial arts, acting, and beyond. Known by many as "the Godfather of Grappling", LeBell helped make the grappling arts like Judo, Wrestling, and Jiu Jitsu popular in professional fighting circles. People gather to celebrate the life of Judo Gene LeBell on what would have been his 90th birthday at Hayastan MMA Academy in North Hollywood Sunday, October 9, 2022. According to the Hollywood Reporter, famed stunt performer Gene LeBell died on August 9 at the age of 89.
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