He repeated this dominant performance in 1955, winning all but one of his 18 matches solely with standing throws. An additional stipulation prevented LeBell from attempting tackles or takedowns under the waist. 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. Hans Gutknecht has been a photojournalist at the Los Angeles Daily News since 1992. LeBell would win the match osaekomi where the practitioner pins the opponent for a specified amount of time earning the victory. 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. [6], Ivan Gene LeBell was born in Los Angeles, California. LeBell was selected from over 200 other applicants to referee the bout.
Remembering Gene LeBell - The Ringer The Alabama passer is one of the smallest QB prospects to be pegged as a first-round pick. Mal, Jo, and Ben get together to talk about where the Mandalorian people are, what adventure awaits Din and Grogu, and much more. 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. Jimmy Roberts, Gene youve always told me Im the best but your THE GREATEST Love ya, Manny Perry, I owe everything to Gene. [7] In 1954 and 1955, while only 22 years of age, he captured both the heavyweight and overall Amateur Athletic Union National Judo Championships. David Burton, Congrats Gene LeBell great job well done Grover Gay, Congrats Gene LeBell! Whats different about the Sixers this year? Few people know the amount of time, energy, dedication, innovation , and pure love you have graced us with in your illustrious career! After winning amateur national competitions in judo, LeBell decided to make the switch to pro wrestling as it offered more lucrative earnings. Blessed if you know him, crazy fun guy. (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. And Thank You for all those Decals and Patches you sent Charlotte and I each Christmas. [4] LeBell appeared in three Elvis Presley movies as a minor character who starts a fight with the character played by Presley. LeBell helped Seagal up. August 10, 2022 1:24pm. 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.. The pink gi was inspired by a trip LeBell took to Japan where a pair of his red socks or shorts made their way into the laundry, turning his white uniform to pink. If I could get my arms around you I would hug you. Lou Thesz. The two became close friends, but the actors untimely death stymied LeBells chance for future speaking parts. Ill never forget that moment, congratulations brother. 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. Congratulations Gene LeBell! In 2004, Gene Lebell was promoted to 10th degree black belt in those arts. (James C. Udel, Variety, 2018), The remarkable Judo Gene LeBell was still teaching grappling and doing stunts well into his 80s. Ross Clay, Gene is the most unselfish and most giving person I know. They shared their stories about the Toughest Man Alive and Godfather of Grapplings warmth and generosity. Youre not only a legend to me but a great, great friend.
LeBell, Gene [WorldCat Identities] Gary Davis, So awesome!!! 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.
Bruce Lee Scene in Once Upon A Time in Hollywood Was Inspired By Gene Tim Gilbert, This tribute is well deserved. Gene LeBell, also known as 'Judo Gene LeBell' is best known for, you guessed it, judo. Why Are American Teens So Unhappy? [8], After returning to the United States, LeBell competed as a heavyweight. !Thanks for the memories!! I love ya man.
Where Are They Now: Stuntman Gene LeBell - Variety 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. Sammy Horowitz, Congratulations Gene, its about time you were acknowledged for your amazing contribution to the stunt world. He is currently 89 years old. developed adult skills by 13. So happy for you. Mike Bohn. A lot of fighters are broke. 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). Gary Goltz. Gene LeBell in 2010 and with Lindsay Wagner on 'The Bionic Woman' in 1976 GI. This match could be argued to be the first televised MMA match in history.
Former stuntman, wrestling promoter Gene LeBell dead at 89 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. Ian Avabe, You Rock a Master of all well deserved Si PJ Hooper Kelly, Congratulations Gene. In addition to spending extensive time in the world of . LeBell died in his sleep early Tuesday morning at his home in Sherman Oaks, his trustee and business manager, Kellie Cunningham, told The Hollywood Reporter. Gene LeBell would become involved in a challenge match proposed by boxer and writer Jim Beck to all practitioners of Japanese martial arts. Gene Lebell, who had an acting and stunt career that stretched from The Adventures of Ozzie . LeBell!!! However, he had one last sports achievement on the horizon: an actual mixed martial arts boutsaid by some to be the first of its kind, though there were boxer-versus-wrestler antecedents in prior decadesin 1963 against middleweight boxing gatekeeper Milo Savage, whose lengthy career was winding down. Sugar Ray Robinson. A large frame surrounded a pink gi his signature judo uniform hung above a doorway leading to the training area. 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved.
The Legendary Gene LeBell Passes Away at 89 - Wrestling Headlines It was agreed that the match would last five 3 three minute rounds. The late 'Judo' Gene LeBell's 90th birthday is celebrated by 200 friends, students, family LeBell's top student, Gokor Chivichyan, held the event at his martial arts academy, remembering a . [8] Gene also wrestled under a black mask as The Hangman, teaming up with Roy Staggs. He popularized grappling in pro-fighting circles and had a famous run-in with Steven Seagal.
Video: Gene LeBell in boxing vs. judo fight in 1963 (James C. Udel, Variety, 2018). He taught fighters like Rowdy Roddy Piper, Chuck Norris, and Ronda Rousey how to grapple and regularly trained Bruce Lee. Craig Frosty Silva, Gene LeBell What can anybody tell you about Gene LeBell? It is alleged that as soon as LeBell placed his arms around Seagal's neck and Seagal said "go" that LeBell choked him unconscious. Since Hayastan MMA Academy first opened its door, it has been one of the top gyms in the world. 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. 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.
Gene LeBell, iconic martial arts pioneer, dies at the age of 89 If you want to do a whizzer throw in wrestling, its the same as an uchimata [inner thigh throw] in judo. He deserves this award. His notable students include Rousey, WWE Hall of Famer Roddy Piper, and Chuck Norris, among others. 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. May we all continue to learn from you and strive to reach the heights youve reached. God bless. 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.. "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. According to Lambert, Seagal explained to LeBell that he did not believe his choke hold was effective, and that he could escape from it. You may have seen his name in the credits of countless movies and television shows dating back to the late 1960's. You may have caught the "Godfather of Grappling" in one of his matches in the world of professional wrestling, you may know him as the "toughest man on the . To quote C.S. We are incredibly sad to report that our hero, dear friend and Stunts Unlimited brother passed away yesterday, August 9th, 2022 at the age of 89. Gene LeBell was born on October 9, 1932. 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. The seeds that Gene LeBell helped plant have grown into the modern landscape of mixed martial arts that we know today. Each speaker spoke fondly of the larger-than-life LeBell, recounting stories and memories of how he inspired them and the love they felt for him. 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. 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. One day in. The grappling club master . 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. [31], On August 9, 2022, LeBell died in his sleep.[32][33].
"Judo" Gene LeBell Tribute - YouTube Who was 'Judo' Gene LeBell? Martial artist, 89, was the - MEAWW The godfather of modern grappling and a legitimate tough guy in his own right, LeBell.
Gene LeBell, Famed Stuntman and "Godfather of Grappling," Dies at 89 Well deserved.- Bonnie Happy, Well deserved. [7] According to fellow BJJ artist Royce Gracie, LeBell was invited to compete in Ultimate Fighting Championship in early 1995, after Gracie stopped participating in its tournaments. You deserve every bit of it! LeBell was 89 years old. In the the Quentin Tarantino film "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood", Bruce Lee was made to look as an arrogant martial arts actor.
Why Gene LeBell's Life Is Like A Movie - TWM+: Sports, Entertainment 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. Interview with Gene LeBell. Lance Gilbert, Gene , you are surely deserving of this achievement even though your humility wont allow you to agree with us.
The Life & Times of Gene LeBell - Black Belt Magazine Roberts, Nobody in the world more respected!! LeBell was 89 years old. Best to You Gene !! LeBell earned the upset win via an osaekomi.
Gene LeBell - Wikipedia Gene LeBell - Age, Bio, Faces and Birthday Thank you, Mr. LeBell! A celebration of his life will be held on his 90thBirthday October 9th, 2022 at the Hayastan Academy led by his student, Black Belt Hall of Fame Member - Gokor Chivichyan. Judo Gene LeBell was famous for his catch wrestling technique that later became an influence in both pro wrestling and mixed martial arts. Answer (1 of 12): Well It seems to be a bit of a controversy about this. To this day you are still teaching and sharing your wealth of knowledge with the next generation! He eventually adopted the role as "policeman" for the promotion, maintaining law and order, especially during matches involving his brother Mike LeBell. You are an inspiration!! Congratulations my brother!!! Gene LeBell is currently married to Wendy LeBell whom he married in 1977. 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.
Gene LeBell Had A Hilarious Response To That Famous Steven - Looper Mr. LeBell died on Aug. 9 at his home in the Sherman Oaks neighborhood of Los Angeles.
Here's What Really Happened When Bruce Lee Fought A - TheThings He is highly respected by many martial artists all over the world, and has . (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG), Former UFC Champion and WWE star Ronda Rousey talks about her friend and mentor Judo Gene LeBell during a celebration of his life on what would have been his 90th birthday at Hayastan MMA Academy in North Hollywood Sunday, October 9, 2022. He taught me how to fight, taught me how to ride. 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. In any case, LeBell was back to work in the movies almost immediately, adding to the movie residuals and Screen Actors Guildbacked retirement that sustained him in his later years. Martial Art: Take a wild guess.Notable Achievements: "Judo" Gene LeBell has arguably the most impressive MMA resume of anyone on this list, and 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. With respect, Missy OMalley-Reynolds, Uncle Gene, Thanks for never burning our house down.
Gene LeBell chokes out student and he has 'accident' David would look at me glassy eyed and say No you dont! He has trained several notable students including Bruce Lee, Chuck Norris, and Ronda Rousey. 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. "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. His mother, Aileen Eaton, promoted fights at the Olympic Auditorium and was the first woman inducted into the International Boxing Hall of . God Bless you Gene and your lovely wife and thanks you for all the things you taught me. You are a true living legend! LeBells years of stunt work and fight choreography also introduced grappling to the world of action movies, where it is now commonplace to see fighters turned actors such as Randy Couture and Gina Carano using submission holds in their action sequences. LeBell demonstrated the choke hold by putting it on Seagal. He worked in. UFC 285 Preview: Can Jon Jones Turn Back the Clock? 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. There he found quick success. We are all so proud of you, youre a legend. This 1982 homevideo production, introduced by Chuck Norris and narrated by John Saxon, featured LeBell as a car thief and mugger who (in the prologue) accosts Mitsuru Yamashita and Budojujitsu creator Al Thomasmuch to LeBell's regret. 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.. 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. Enjoyed reading about Gene Lebell? As a stuntman, LeBell reportedly endured a punch from John Wayne for the 1952 film Big Jim McLain and a kick in the face from Elvis Presley for Blue Hawaii in 1961. LeBell came off the floor by a few feet. More embellished versions include details about Seagal defecating himself. LeBell has made himself the nicknames "Judo" Gene LeBell, "The Godfather of Grappling" and also "The Toughest Man Alive" for his . Gene is survived by his wife Midge, his children Monica and David; stepchildren Danny and Stacey; and grandchildren Daniel, Tyler and Nicholas.
R.I.P. legendary wrestler and stunt performer Gene LeBell - The A.V. Club Love, Greg & Barbie Barnett, Youve been my hero my entire career. After his mother remarried, LeBell was raised near L.A.s old Olympic Auditorium. Well deserved my friend, and sensei! 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. A true legend with a legacy of amazing stunt history. His students in those fields included Roddy Piper, Ronda Rousey, and many others. Steven Seagal was a highly trained aikido expert and because of this, he would proclaim to the world that he was immune to choking. Gene LeBell was a man who lived a full and adventurous life. Influential combat sports icon "Judo" Gene LeBell has died at 89. Gene LeBell Record, Net Worth, Weight, Age & More. 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? Gene's funeral will be private for immediate family only. You were a better reference than SAG! 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. Other recordings discovered had ties to the presidential campaign of Richard Nixon. 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. LeBell was also hired for stunt work with Lee on The Green Hornet.. Well deserved my hat is off to you sir!!! Challenge coins, decorated with an image of LeBell, were sold for donations, which raised more than $2,000. (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. After getting his black belt, he went to Japan to train in judo at the Kodokan. Please enter a valid email and try again.
RIP Gene LeBell - Part II - Black Belt Magazine His death was announced by Kellie Cunningham, his trustee and business manager, who did not. 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.