They knew each other and worked together on the Green Hornet. [13] He also continued to work in professional wrestling intermittently, wrestling his final match on August 29, 1981, against Peter Maivia for NWA Hollywood Wrestling. Gene LeBell (also called "Judo Gene" and "the Godfather of Grappling") went on to perform stunts in hundreds of movies, train martial artists like Chuck . I have grown up idolizing many of the SU members over the yearsGenes massive career and list of credits is insane. Gene LeBell heard about the proclamation and decided to take Seagal up on the challenge. May we all continue to learn from you and strive to reach the heights youve reached. 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. The Savage camp claimed they did not know the difference. Tough Guys Wear Pink in Any Color, Judo Master and Film Stuntman Gene An incredible life being rightfully recognized. I love ya man. Ronnie and Mary Rondell, Congratulations Uncle Gene! Chuck & Charlotte Waters, Special man and amazing human being, so deserving of this recognition. If I could get my arms around you I would hug you. . [7] Despite his pedigree, he did not get over immediately with audiences but gradually became known for his martial arts background. Judo Gene LeBell the Godfather of Grappling was both a renowned ex-world champion in both wrestling/judo, and one of Hollywoods busiest stuntmen. So happy for you. 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. Well done sir! Proud to be your friend! [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. Judo Gene!!! Way to go Uncle Gene!!! Hardcover - January 1, 2004. They shared their stories about the Toughest Man Alive and Godfather of Grapplings warmth and generosity. 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. "My name is Gene LeBell. Gary Goltz. A pair of red shorts were mixed into the laundry that contained his Gi and turned the uniform a shade of pink. AEW Revolution Preview, and Whats Going on With Brock, Bray, Bobby, and Omos? His notable students include Rousey, WWE Hall of Famer Roddy Piper, and Chuck Norris, among others. (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! Craig Hosking, Congratulations Gene you are a legend! Oops. [10], The loss by Savage, the hometown favorite, caused the crowd to react violently. Don't miss a beat. In 2004, Gene Lebell was promoted to 10th degree black belt in those arts. 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. [7][9] The unusual stipulations convinced LeBell the Savage camp, far from being ignorant about martial arts, had trained Savage in judo in order to defend against LeBell's throws. David would look at me glassy eyed and say No you dont! The Ploys and Tactics Behind Oscar Campaigning, A Secret Laundromat Meetup, New Jersey Episode 4, and Potomac Reunion Part 2. He will always be my Stunt Senei. 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.. Freddie Blassie. Rick Seaman, Well Geno, they said it couldnt be done but youve done it again. He was born there on November 27, 1940, making him a dual Hong Kong and United States citizen by birth. Interview with Gene LeBell. 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! thank you so much for all the encouragement over all these decades . Along with the awards received for feats in judo and grappling, LeBell was the 2005 recipient of the Frank Gotch Award in celebration of the positive recognition he brought to the sport of wrestling. [31], On August 9, 2022, LeBell died in his sleep.[32][33]. You have been a legend for over 60 years and Im honored each month that I get to see you!!!! Congratulations & we all love you. Gene LeBell, who died on August 9 at age 89, led a life so expansive that any mere retelling of it would come across like a tall tale, the stuff of Pecos Bill and Paul Bunyanif all of it werent true. Could Gene LeBell, the 'real life Cliff Booth', beat up Bruce Lee? Aloha, Brian Keaulana, Congratulations Gene! 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 earned the upset win via an osaekomi. 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. 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. After getting his black belt, he went to Japan to train in judo at the Kodokan. Your positivity and generosity knows no limit. '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. Anil Rai, Congratulations Mr. He was acquitted and continued performing stunts for the big and small screen, alike. Who was 'Judo' Gene LeBell? Martial artist, 89, was the - MEAWW UFC news: 'Judo' Gene LeBell dead at 89; MMA community mourns Hollywood stuntman and martial artist Gene LeBell has died. Gene LeBell Passes Away At Age 89 - Ringside News He has fought, trained and performed with a dizzying array of some of the most prolific athletes and actors in the world. You deserve every bit of it! Answer (1 of 12): Well It seems to be a bit of a controversy about this. After his mother remarried, LeBell was raised near L.A.s old Olympic Auditorium. Love ya, Buddy Joe Hooker, My dear friend Gene. Are the Lakers dead? 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. The combatants were initially cautious, with LeBell being the first in pressing the action by attempting to throw Savage down. You were a better reference than SAG! 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 is also a writer and has penned a dozen books on martial arts. Andy Gill, Congratulations Gene !!! Gene taught my three sons how to take every day life in the training under Gene. Professional wrestler Bas Rutten announced LeBell's death via Facebook, writing, "You will be greatly missed Gene, When he entered the 1954 AAU National Judo championship as a lightly regarded 160-pound heavyweight, he pinned 1952 Pan American Games gold medalist Johnny Osako in his first match, then went on to win both his weight class as well as the overall tournament. Thank you for all you have done for those of us blessed to learn from you. The godfather of modern grappling and a legitimate tough guy in his own right, LeBell. [12] Finally, he performed a left harai goshi in the fourth round and followed by locking a rear naked choke. Ivan Judo Gene LeBell (October 9, 1932 August 9, 2022) was an American martial artist, stunt performer, actor, and professional wrestler. In addition to spending extensive time in the world of . The two became close friends, but the actors untimely death stymied LeBells chance for future speaking parts. It is with a heavy heart that we recognize our past member and friend, Mr. Gene LeBell, has passed on. Stoked I get to make it this year. 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. Michael Nesbitt, Congratulations, judo Gene LeBell Tony Epperson, Congratulations! Congrats to the amazing living legend John Stoneham, Jr. Congratulations Gene, you know I love you, and Im so very very proud of you. LeBell!!! I love you Gene and I am very proud of your accomplishments in our business. His first match would be against the highly ranked judoka John Osako. He is currently 89 years old. LeBell has also worked on over 1,000 films and TV shows and has authored 12 books. 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 guys in the business. [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. Hey Gene which way to the Beach? [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. Michael Hilow, Congratulations to the prettiest man in Hollywood, and the reason the phrase Bad Ass was created.. No one is more deserving than my buddy, and everyones Uncle.. Uncle Gene! His mother, Aileen Eaton, promoted fights at the Olympic Auditorium and was the first woman inducted into the International Boxing Hall of . LeBells wrestling fortunes variedhis brother Mike told Sports Illustrated in 1995 that he had fired Gene on several occasions, noting that sometimes even I thought he was crazybut his career continued its upward trajectory as he moved into the Hollywood stunt work that would see him participating in thousands of projects over the years. Congrats my friend and God Bless. 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. 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. judo. LeBell has worked on over 1000 TV Show and Film projects. It is his 90th birthday and a celebration and memorial for him, Chivichyan said. According to the Hollywood Reporter, famed stunt performer Gene LeBell died on August 9 at the age of 89. Michael Hughes, Thank you for being such an influence and inspiration to MANY! It has been alleged that at some point LeBell heard about the claim and gave Seagal the opportunity to prove it. Sugar Ray Robinson. You have definitely earned it for all your contributions to the industry. With respect, Missy OMalley-Reynolds, Uncle Gene, Thanks for never burning our house down. More embellished versions include details about Seagal defecating himself. There he found quick success. Gene LeBell has had a number of notable students throughout the years, from Hollywood legends like Chuck Norris and Roddy Pipper, to martial arts masters such as Gokor Chivichyan, Karo Parisyan, Ronda Rousey, Neil Melanson, Ed Parker and Benny "The Jet" Urquidez to name a few. Derek spoke with Matthew Biel of MedStar Georgetown University Hospital about rising teenage unhappiness and what we can do to fix it, All You Touch and All You See: Dark Side of the Moon at 50. However, Gene LeBell was a 10th degree judo black belt and one of the toughest men on the planet, so the director knew this wouldn't happen to him. 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. Gene LeBell talks about Bruce Lee. The Toughest Man Alive: Gene LeBell: 9780953176670: Amazon.com: Books And Thank You for all those Decals and Patches you sent Charlotte and I each Christmas. Gene LeBell, Famed Stuntman, Martial Artist And Bruce Lee's Teacher Beck engaged in abundant trash-talk, but revealed a very limited knowledge of martial arts, seemingly mistaking judo for karate. [citation needed], On March 23, 1991, LeBell was awarded the Honorary "Reel" Membership by the Ring of Friendship of the Cauliflower Alley Club. Nicknamed "The Godfather of Grappling", he popularized grappling in professional fighting circles, serving as a precursor to modern mixed martial arts. The Life & Legend of "Judo" Gene LeBell - POST Wrestling He also had 8 grandchildren. Gene LeBell, 89, Judo Champion, Wrestler and Star Stuntman, Dies So, congratulation Gene LeBell from the Winburn families for receiving the Taurus Lifetime Achievement Award. Love, Greg & Barbie Barnett, Youve been my hero my entire career. Beck claimed that a boxer could defeat any martial artist in a straight fight and offered $1000 to anyone who could prove otherwise. Congratulations brother Gene!!! An agreement was reached for the match to last five rounds, each lasting three minutes. RIP Gene LeBell - Part II - Black Belt Magazine 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. 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. wrote the Stuntmans Association of Motion Pictures in a statement to Variety, whose portrayal of an overconfident Lee by actor Mike Moh in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood spurred backlash. Few people know the amount of time, energy, dedication, innovation , and pure love you have graced us with in your illustrious career! Congratulations, Connie P Conrad Palmisano, Congratulations Uncle Gene for receiving the lifetime award. Confused by William Beaudines direction, LeBell ended up being chomped by a 700-pound bear named Victor. 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. A pioneer of martial arts, he lived a long and fascinating life. Gene LeBell, also known as 'Judo Gene LeBell' is best known for, you guessed it, judo. He was 89. Stunt coordinator Bennie Dobbins begged LeBell to humble Lee, who allegedly beat up on his stuntmen throughout the shows production. Ian Avabe, You Rock a Master of all well deserved Si PJ Hooper Kelly, Congratulations Gene. [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). Along the way, his list of big-name collaborators, students, and opponents became as packed as his CV; in addition to Lee, . (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. McCarthy, veteran actress Karen Black and legendary wrestling and martial arts teacher famous for Bruce Lee and Chuck Norris. The grappling club master . Wear this Award well my friend. 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. 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. He was highly respected by many martial artists all over the world, and has been considered a ground breaker in many aspects of the art of grappling. I have ridden on the back of his bike for one of his marathon wheelies.Pine Mtn Club so much fun. ", "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. In the the Quentin Tarantino film "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood", Bruce Lee was made to look as an arrogant martial arts actor. Gene has trained with numerous other world champion martial artists includingChuck Norris,Bill Wallace, andBenny Urquidez. 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. Gene LeBell died in his sleep on August 9 th 22, at age 89, two months to the day shy of his 90 th birthday. 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. I tried to get your son some work but hes always at the beach. To prevent a full-blown riot, hometown hero and rated professional boxer Jay Fullmer (brother of boxers Gene and Don Fullmer) entered the ring to congratulate LeBell. Grand Master Gi Grappling by Gokor Chivichyan. To his surprise, he learned his opponent would not be Beck but a higher regarded boxer, Milo Savage, who also had a background in amateur wrestling. LeBell served as the referee for the exhibition match between world heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali and Antonio Inoki on June 26, 1976, at . When he arrived, Gene LeBell learned that he would not be fighting Beck, but instead a much more well-known boxer in Milo Savage. 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. The toughest man alive by Gene LeBell . [9], The match took place on December 2, 1963. Congratulations Gene. In June 1976, LeBell refereed the infamous boxing-versus-wrestling contest between Muhammad Ali and Antonio Inoki in Tokyo, Japan. 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. He is a two time AAU National Judo Champion and he was a professional wrestling world heavyweight champion . Gene LeBell is currently married to Wendy LeBell whom he married in 1977. Gene LeBell has had a number of notable students throughout the years, from Hollywood legends like Chuck Norris and Roddy Pipper, to martial arts masters such as Gokor Chivichyan, Karo Parisyan, Ronda Rousey, Neil Melanson, Ed Parker and Benny "The Jet" Urquidez to name a few. Bryan Danielson's LeBell Lock was named after the legendary grappler. You can follow him on Twitter (@MoustacheClubUS) and read more of his work at www.oliverbateman.com. Little Mo and Lou, Uncle Gene has been a trusted mentor, ardent Sensei and dear friend to me and countless other stunt people throughout the years. J.N. To this day you are still teaching and sharing your wealth of knowledge with the next generation! LeBell was also hired for stunt work with Lee on The Green Hornet.. [29], LeBell was arrested, charged with, and tried for the July 1976 murder of private investigator Robert Duke Hall. On Sunday, Oct. 9, legendary martial artist and stuntman Judo Gene LeBell would have turned 90. 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. !Thanks for the memories!! He went on to win the both the Heavyweight and overall champion title 1955 as well. The athletic youngster tested himself with such self-imposed challenges as scaling 60-foot-high lighting stanchions to replace spent bulbs. Gene LeBell had three children including stuntman son David LeBell and FBI . Well deserved my hat is off to you sir!!! Nicknamed "The Godfather of Grappling", he popularized grappling in professional fighting circles, serving as a precursor to modern mixed martial arts. 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. Lee was especially interested in exploring grappling with help from him and exchanged ideas[19] on various fighting techniques. As soon as he landed, LeBell used a foot sweep to sweep Seagal off the floor, with Seagal landing on his back. Is Golden State a sleeping giant? Few will live a life as extraordinary as Gene LeBell has. Mickey Gilbert, Ill never forget working with Gene in Minneapolis for David Ellis. 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. 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. 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. Steven Seagal was a highly trained aikido expert and because of this, he would proclaim to the world that he was immune to choking. A notable one was the 'Hot Rod' himself, 'Rowdy' Roddy Piper. Awesome Steve Picerni. "I learned the [LeBell Lock] from a guy named Neil Melanson," Danielson told the WWE website in 2010. The only thing I have against MMA is they dont have a retirement plan. Congratulations Gene Eric Norris, Gene LeBell is my hero and always has been. 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. LeBell is back in the limelight on the 50th anniversary of what's considered the first notable mixed martial arts fight in the United States, even though the term wasn't used: His Dec. 2, 1963 . [6], Ivan Gene LeBell was born in Los Angeles, California. Instructed through brutal tutorials by professional wrestlers and old-school masters, he developed adult skills by 13. In the martial arts, he captured the National A.A.U. The late 'Judo' Gene LeBell's 90th birthday is celebrated by 200 However, Tarantino disputes this claim. After earning these titles, LeBell made the transition to professional wrestling because of the promise of better earnings in the sport. Whats different about the Sixers this year? The legendary story of Steven Seagal and 'Judo' Gene Lebell Instead of being hit first, it was LeBell who would put Bruce Lee in a headlock and carry him around the set. Erik Stabenau, Congratulations Gene. In 1994, LeBell counted kickboxing champion Benny Urquidez and Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioners the Machado brothers among his training partners. This award is only given to a select few. 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. Gene LeBell was born on October 9, 1932. [7] In 1954 and 1955, while only 22 years of age, he captured both the heavyweight and overall Amateur Athletic Union National Judo Championships. Well deserved. Judo is wrestling with handles, he told Black Belt magazine in 1994. After his competitive career, Gene LeBell and his brother Mike would run the National Wrestling Alliance's Los Angeles region between 1968 and 1982. [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. Plus, does starting Tyrese Maxey versus DeAnthony Melton make a difference on the defensive end? Ill be there to shake your hand tomorrow. We are all so proud of you, youre a legend. Former stuntman, wrestling promoter Gene LeBell dead at 89 It hurt. Nick Plantico, Congrats Gene!! #246C,Beverly, MA 01915,United States. 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? Along with many others, speakers included Ronda Rousey, former UFC champion, WWE professional wrestler, actress and Olympic Judo medalist; Bas Rutten, former UFC Heavyweight Champion and a three-time King of Pancrase world champion; catch wrestler, former UFC Heavyweight Champion, former Openweight King of Pancrase world champion, and Bellator fighter; and AnnMaria De Mars, first American to win a gold medal at the World Judo Championships. Gene LeBell's net worth is estimated to be approximately $6 million dollars.