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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 . For 89 years, few did that work better than Judo Gene LeBell. 2005, Learn how and when to remove this template message, contest between Muhammad Ali and Antonio Inoki, Golden Boy Promotions: Liddell vs. Ortiz 3, NWA Central States Heavyweight Championship, George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame, NWA "Beat the Champ" Television Championship, NWA North American Heavyweight Championship, "IBK International Kyokushin Budokai Blak Belts", "Roots of Fight Brings Us the Story of "Judo" Gene LeBell MMA Pioneer and Terrifying Old Man", "Could Gene LeBell beat up Bruce Lee? I am so glad I was there Live to see it ! (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG), Former UFC Champion and WWE star Ronda Rousey talks 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. Thank you Gene for your friendship over the decades. It was LeBells first movieland lesson: Always let the star win. Gene LeBell Record, Net Worth, Weight, Age & More. Stuntman Gene LeBell might not have been around since Hollywood's first fist fight, but his skill has transformed the genre. It has been an honor to work with you ,and see how much you have done, over the years. He is, and always has been, a perfect example of what a professional stuntman should be and continues to teach and hand down his vast knowledge to all young and old who want to learn. His career bore that out. The boxer's camp even went as far to argue for the stipulation that Savage could use any type of punch, but the judoka could not kick or use takedowns under the waist. Ill toast you from Texas! Mike Bohn. According to the Hollywood Reporter, famed stunt performer Gene LeBell died on August 9 at the age of 89. Freddy Bouceigues, No one deserves this more then you uncle Gene. In addition to his judo background, LeBell has an extensive background in submission grappling and catch wrestling, and has trained under Lou Thesz, Karl Gotch and Ed "Strangler" Lewis. [2] He worked on over 1,000 films and TV shows and authored 12 books. Thank you, Mr. LeBell! LeBell established himself as a martial artist long before he moved to Hollywood. His first match would be against the highly ranked judoka John Osako. From TV shows like Mission: Impossible, Batman, and Reno 911! to movies including, The Towering Inferno, RoboCop, Total Recall and Independence Day, LeBell was a go-to stunt coordinator for decades. (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. 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. LeBell was also a judo and grappling prodigy. Sat 9th Apr 2022 19.30 BST. Challenge coins, decorated with an image of LeBell, were sold for donations, which raised more than $2,000. developed adult skills by 13. "LeBell parlayed his pain-inducing skills into careers in martial arts, professional wrestling and Hollywood stunt work, making him the ultimate a**-kicking Renaissance man. Ross Clay, Gene is the most unselfish and most giving person I know. Love ya, Buddy Joe Hooker, My dear friend Gene. It has been alleged that at some point LeBell heard about the claim and gave Seagal the opportunity to prove it. thank you so much for all the encouragement over all these decades . Jimmy Halty, Congratulations Gene. It was the long-running Lassie series that first tested LeBells mettle. An agreement was reached for the match to last five rounds, each lasting three minutes. Even more appreciated by those of us choked out by you !!! 'The Godfather of Grappling' evolved to be a popular figure in the martial arts world after he extended to various other forms of sports, including judo and mixed martial arts. 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. LeBell recalled in his 2005 autobiography, The Godfather of Grappling meeting Lee on the set of The Green Hornet TV series. Love ya Gene. LeBell was the third man inside the ring of one of the most famous matches in Japanese history and one that had worldwide attention. I love you Gene and I am very proud of your accomplishments in our business. Despite this long legacy in the worlds of pro wrestling and MMA, LeBell, always chasing the smart money, never hung around too long on the mat in either sport: Theres only 1 in 1,000 MMA fighters who make money, he told Black Belt magazine in 2014. 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. So happy for you. In December 1939, his parents went to Chinatown, San Francisco in California for an international opera tour. We ask all these burning questions, and more! Brad Curran June 8, 2018 Interviews. LeBell would win the match osaekomi where the practitioner pins the opponent for a specified amount of time earning the victory. 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. Without locking the hold, Seagal side stepped and swung his forearm backwards into his crotch. Gene LeBell heard about the proclamation and decided to take Seagal up on the challenge. Andy Gill, Congratulations Gene !!! Neil Melanson is an American submission grappling coach. 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. 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 Burton, Congrats Gene LeBell great job well done Grover Gay, Congrats Gene LeBell! Gene LeBell is a legend in the world of MMA and Martial Arts. LeBell was selected from over 200 other applicants to referee the bout. Michael Nesbitt, Congratulations, judo Gene LeBell Tony Epperson, Congratulations! A video shown at the memorial featured many of his accomplishments from the stunt and martial arts world, evoking smiles, laughter and tears that had many in the crowd wiping their eyes. Enjoyed reading about Gene Lebell? The seeds that Gene LeBell helped plant have grown into the modern landscape of mixed martial arts that we know today. In one scene, Brad Pitt plays a stuntman (Cliff Booth) and beats up Bruce Lee on the set of The Green Hornet in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. Roberts, Nobody in the world more respected!! I thought I was the only one. Seems like yesterday, lifes crazy like that, huh? The toughest man alive by Gene LeBell . 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. 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. They all grew up to be great young men, James is a newspaper writer for various companies, David is a Federal Police Officer and Matthew is an accountant and they all, always talk about the days they train under Gene. In June 1976, LeBell refereed the infamous boxing-versus-wrestling contest between Muhammad Ali and Antonio Inoki in Tokyo, Japan. Gene LeBell had thousands of students over the years. RIP Gene LeBell - Part II. (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. [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. According to a 2014 interview in Black Belt, LeBell had no idea the fight would be as significant as later developments in the sport of MMA have made it. 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. Featuring "Judo" Gene LeBell's champion student "The Armenian Assassin" Gokor Chivichyan and friends." . To quote C.S. The Alabama passer is one of the smallest QB prospects to be pegged as a first-round pick. We couldnt prouder. BJJ Fanatics was started by a pair of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belts who know that nothing is more important for a fellow fanatic than their time on the mat. Chris Pellitteri, Mr. Gene LeBell ; Thank you for your kindness and wisdom over the years. We are all so proud of you, youre a legend. Gene LeBell Did It All Over a legendary career as a judoka, pro wrestler, and Hollywood stuntman, LeBell was a pioneer in mixed martial arts and choreographed violenceand one of the toughest. 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. He is the author of 12 martial arts books. 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. I love you. [20], LeBell is associated with Gokor Chivichyan's Hayastan MMA Academy where he taught grappling classes. Alan Oliney, Hey Gene, Thanks for being a four-star mentor to so many and thanks for being Gene Lebell. Congratulations, Connie P Conrad Palmisano, Congratulations Uncle Gene for receiving the lifetime award. Im honored to know you! [8], After returning to the United States, LeBell competed as a heavyweight. Sammy Horowitz, Congratulations Gene, its about time you were acknowledged for your amazing contribution to the stunt world. This scene is loosely based on world class Judoka Gene LeBell . Martial Art: Take a wild guess.Notable Achievements: "Judo" Gene LeBell has arguably the most impressive MMA resume of anyone on this list, and What are you doing? LeBell remembers the helmer lamenting. Inside Hall's residence police discovered hours of wire-tapped recordings, some of which led to the resignation of the Beverly Hills police department chief of police. The Toughest Man Alive. LeBell even awarded Piper a legitimate Black Belt in Judo . (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG), AnnMaria De Mars (L), with her daughter former UFC Champion and WWE star Ronda Rousey and Rouseys daughter Po, pose 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. Plus, does starting Tyrese Maxey versus DeAnthony Melton make a difference on the defensive end? AEW, Triple H & WWE acknowledged LeBell's influence. Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), The late Judo Gene LeBells 90th birthday is celebrated by 200 friends, students, family, Year after the slap, Chris Rock punches back in new special, At least 5 hurt, suspect at large in San Pedro shooting, Snowed-in Crestline residents make the best of it with volunteers, booze, San Bernardino mountain residents grow worried as they cant access medicine, supplies, Gene LeBell, iconic martial arts pioneer, dies at the age of 89, How Victor Henry found himself making his UFC debut Saturday at age 34, She will hurt you: Ronda Rousey, 24, owns it in MMA ring, UFC 199: Mauro Ranallo, Bas Rutten offer Inside MMA perspectives, UFC heavyweight Josh Barnett looks to keep climbing ranks, California Republicans give a boost to Florida Gov. LeBell has worked on over 1000 TV Show and Film projects. Despite this, a man tried to stab LeBell on the way out and the latter had to be protected by the judokas and professional wrestlers who accompanied him. On Sunday, Oct. 9, legendary martial artist and stuntman "Judo" Gene LeBell would have turned 90. Eager to claim the $1,000 purseId fight my grandmother for $1,000, but shed have beaten me, LeBell saidthe judoka found himself facing not Beck but Savage, who not only was an accomplished professional boxer but a man with a solid knowledge of wrestling fundamentals. Brandon Recor, Congratulations!!! The athletic youngster tested himself with such self-imposed challenges as scaling 60-foot-high lighting stanchions to replace spent bulbs. He is currently 89 years old. At the insistence of friend and martial artist, Ed Parker, Gene LeBell accepted the challenge match and travelled to Utah to fight Beck. And later on, there is discussion of whether or not double-dipping is an acceptable way to eat! 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. Hey Gene which way to the Beach? Congratulations my brother!!! So may you rest in power, Gene.. LeBell is also a writer and has penned a dozen books on martial arts. After his mother remarried, LeBell was raised near L.A.s old Olympic Auditorium. Still working on the Pro Wrestling Finishing Holds book techniques to this day! Professional wrestler Bas Rutten announced LeBell's death via Facebook, writing, "You will be greatly missed Gene, You don't earn the nickname 'Judo' without knowing a thing or two about combat; just ask Steven Seagal. The pictures above are from the TV show Fall Guy and I told Gene I didnt want to hit him on the bike and he said I dont want you to hit me eitheryou may hurt yourself. Congratulations Gene, you earned this award and no one in this world is taking it away from the Toughest man Alive. Jack Gill. Today we will take a look at just a fraction of it. 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. [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. Gene has trained with numerous other world champion martial artists includingChuck Norris,Bill Wallace, andBenny Urquidez. Aloha, Brian Keaulana, Congratulations Gene! LeBell!!! He is highly respected by many martial artists all over the world, and has . [8], In 1963, LeBell became involved with a challenge by boxer and writer Jim Beck to the practitioners of Japanese martial arts. [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. LeBell helped Seagal up. Long overdue! He started training in catch wrestling and boxing from his early childhood, influenced by his mother, "Red Head" Aileen Eaton, a promoter of both sports who owned the Olympic Auditorium in Los Angeles. So well deserved!! A pioneer of martial arts, he lived a long and fascinating life. [31], On August 9, 2022, LeBell died in his sleep.[32][33]. 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. 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. On August 7, 2004, the World Martial Arts Masters Association promoted him to 10th degree. LeBell judged fights for several decades, but retired from it after Golden Boy Promotions: Liddell vs. Ortiz 3 on November 24, 2018. In his book Shooters: The Toughest Men in Professional Wrestling, long-time MMA journalist Jonathan Snowden described LeBell as a horrible professional wrestler from a technical perspective, a tough guy who looked soft in the ring and remained stuck on the undercard of his brother Mike LeBells wrestling events, wrestling under his own name or beneath a mask as the Hangman. He did claim to have won the NWA World Heavyweight Championship in 1960 from Pat OConnor in a match in Dory Funks Amarillo, Texas, territory, repeating this assertion to both Black Belt and Sports Illustrated, but the victory was almost certainly part of a wrestling story line, with LeBell accidentally striking the Texas wrestling commissioner with the belt and forcing its immediate return to OConnor. For a time, he took on a role as "policeman" for the organization, helping to maintain order. He believed in me which made me believe in myself. Bob Debbie Hennessey, Congrats Gene. . Gene LeBell was promoted to 9th degree in jujitsu and taihojutsu in 2000 by the United States Ju-Jitsu (USJJF) Ju Jitsu Federation. [2] He was born in Los Angeles. 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. Born in Los Angeles in 1932, LeBell was shipped off to a military. So, congratulation Gene LeBell from the Winburn families for receiving the Taurus Lifetime Achievement Award. [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. Tanner Gill, Congrats Uncle Gene!! While working at the stunt coordinator for Seagal's film Out for Justice, the two of them met to test Seagal's statement. This match could be argued to be the first televised MMA match in history. (Gene LeBell Biography). judo. You have definitely earned it for all your contributions to the industry. [4] LeBell appeared in three Elvis Presley movies as a minor character who starts a fight with the character played by Presley. "[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. August 10, 2022 1:24pm. Few will live a life as extraordinary as Gene LeBell has. Lance Gilbert, Gene , you are surely deserving of this achievement even though your humility wont allow you to agree with us. Part of HuffPost Entertainment. "My name is Gene LeBell. (James C. Udel, Variety, 2018). On Sunday, Oct. 9, legendary martial artist and stuntman Judo Gene LeBell would have turned 90. In addition to Bruce Lee and Chuck Norris, LeBell also tutored the likes of Roddy Piper (who claimed in his autobiography to have received a black belt in judo from LeBell, though this is likely as spurious as the impossible-to-verify Golden Gloves championship he was sometimes reported as having won), Olympic bronze medalist judoka and future UFC and WWE star Ronda Rousey (who always cited him as an important mentor), American judo champion and instructor Gokor Chivichyan, and Chivichyans Armenian American judo student Karo Parisyan, one of the first notable judo practitioners in the UFC.