Hollywood stuntman and martial artist Gene LeBell has died. The athletic youngster tested himself with such self-imposed challenges as scaling 60-foot-high lighting stanchions to replace spent bulbs. Lou Thesz. Savanah Dawn Lilley, The one and only Uncle Gene! A industry standard, and great human being! Despite his martial arts credentials, LeBell did not immediately connect with wrestling audiences. 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. Gene LeBell was born on October 9, 1932. Karl Gotch. You always tried to get me to go dirt biking with you but I never gave in. Well done sir! Colleagues, friends and fans (in most cases they qualify as all three) have contributed their congratulations to the living legend that is Judo Gene LeBell. 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.. Gene LeBell - MMA & Wrestling Pioneer - Passes Away At 89 - TheMix.net He taught fighters like Rowdy Roddy Piper, Chuck Norris, and Ronda Rousey how to grapple and regularly trained Bruce Lee. Well deserved my hat is off to you sir!!! Sat 9th Apr 2022 19.30 BST. People called him the Toughest Man Alive. Love, Greg & Barbie Barnett, Youve been my hero my entire career. Ivan Gene LeBell was born in Los Angeles on Oct. 9, 1932. In 2004, Gene Lebell was promoted to 10th degree black belt in those arts. The simplest version of the tale has Seagal boasting that he couldnt be choked out, and LeBell, then in his 50s and significantly smaller than the 6-foot-4 actor, going behind the star, then taking him to the ground and choking him out. August 10, 2022 11:30 am ET. Gene LeBell, Famed Stuntman and "Godfather of Grappling," Dies at 89 The late 'Judo' Gene LeBell's 90th birthday is celebrated by 200 Martial arts legend 'Judo' Gene LeBell dies at 89 - MMA Fighting You too? There he found quick success. On Sunday, Oct. 9, legendary martial artist and stuntman "Judo" Gene LeBell would have turned 90. Mike Bohn. I made very good money, and it led me into a career in stunt work.. LeBell was never a main-event star in wrestling and by even the most generous assessment wasnt exactly a crowd-pleaser in the ring. By the time he transitioned to judo in the early 1950s, LeBell had already spent untold hours in submission holds and on the receiving end of punches from boxers like the great Sugar Ray Robinson at L.A.s famous Main Street Gym. 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. Oops. Gene LeBell - Age, Bio, Faces and Birthday It hurt. 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. 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. [20], LeBell also appeared in "The World of Martial Arts Budojujitsu". 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! LeBell, Gene [WorldCat Identities] It goes to a great man of strength, integrity and honor. LeBell accompanied Ronda Rousey to the cage for some of her MMA matches in recent years, and served as a MMA judge through 2018. Could James Harden Potentially Return to Houston After the Season? It was the long-running Lassie series that first tested LeBells mettle. LeBell has worked on over 1000 TV Show and Film projects. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. It has been alleged that at some point LeBell heard about the claim and gave Seagal the opportunity to prove it. developed adult skills by 13. Its an honor to be your student and friend. 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. For similar uses, see, MMA History Gene Lebell VS Milo Savage, 1963, The Godfather of Grappling (authorised biography of LeBell) by "Judo" Gene LeBell, Bob Calhoun, George Foon, and Noelle Kim. Gene LeBell - Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia For most of Eatons time in the business, she was the only major female fight promoter in the United States, possibly even the world. Bruce Lee Scene in Once Upon A Time in Hollywood Was Inspired By Gene In June 1976, LeBell refereed the infamous boxing-versus-wrestling contest between Muhammad Ali and Antonio Inoki in Tokyo, Japan. After his mother remarried, LeBell was raised near L.A.s old Olympic Auditorium. With respect, Missy OMalley-Reynolds, Uncle Gene, Thanks for never burning our house down. You always got the cool moves to Choke em Out .. stay healthy my friend .. Love, Troy Gilbert, Unreal. He was known by many as the Godfather of Grappling, and influenced fighters around the world. Gene's funeral will be private for immediate family only. It will be donated to St. Jude Childrens Hospital, Southern California, in honor of LeBell. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG), Former UFC Heavyweight Champion Josh Barnett, talks about Judo Gene LeBell during a celebration of LeBells life on what would have been his 90th birthday at Hayastan MMA Academy in North Hollywood Sunday, October 9, 2022. He was born in Los Angeles, California. Former stuntman, wrestling promoter Gene LeBell dead at 89 Melanson specializes in catch wrestling, while drawing elements from judo, and focuses his coaching specifically on grappling in mixed martial arts.He is especially known for his guard work, leg locks and triangle chokes. 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. Heffay Cadiente, Big congrats Uncle Gene! Congrats my friend and God Bless. LeBell was 89 years old. It is with a heavy heart that we recognize our past member and friend, Mr. Gene LeBell, has passed on. In the martial arts, he captured the National A.A.U. He taught me how to fight, taught me how to ride. [8], After returning to the United States, LeBell competed as a heavyweight. 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. Gene LeBell has three children Monica, Danny, and David. The seeds that Gene LeBell helped plant have grown into the modern landscape of mixed martial arts that we know today. After, my arms were trembling with strain, you told me to stop and smiled at me, and said kid, dont quit your day job. I love you Gene and I am very proud of your accomplishments in our business. 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. [2] He worked on over 1,000 films and TV shows and authored 12 books. To quote C.S. 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. According to Lambert, Seagal explained to LeBell that he did not believe his choke hold was effective, and that he could escape from it. Gregg Smrz, So well deserved! AEW Revolution Preview, and Whats Going on With Brock, Bray, Bobby, and Omos? Im honored to know you! Without locking the hold, Seagal side stepped and swung his forearm backwards into his crotch. Ill never forget that moment, congratulations brother. Congrats to the amazing living legend John Stoneham, Jr. Congratulations Gene, you know I love you, and Im so very very proud of you. Steve Boyum, Absolutely couldnt go to a better candidate. Gene LeBell - IMDb Bruce and I had a bond with the martial arts, and we would get together frequently. Are the Lakers dead? We worked out about 10 to 12 times at his place in Los Angeles Chinatown and at my place.. Michael Hughes, Thank you for being such an influence and inspiration to MANY! Meet the real life Cliff Booth from 'Once Upon a Time in Hollywood', "Gene LeBell vs Milo Savage: Gene LeBell Saved Martial Arts", "Matches Gene LeBell Wrestlers Database CAGEMATCH - the Internet Wrestling Database", "TOUGH GUYS WEAR PINK IN ANY COLOR, JUDO MASTER AND FILM STUNTMAN GENE LEBELL IS ONE HARD HOMBRE", Gene LeBell talks Steven Seagal s-ing himself, https://www.mmafighting.com/strikeforce/2012/3/11/2858055/judo-gene-lebell-ronda-rousey-mma-judging-choking-out-steven-segal, Steven Seagal denies Gene LeBell made him poop his pants, "Ronda Rousey: 'If Steven Seagal says anything about Gene LeBell to my face, I'll make him crap his pants', "Truth Finally Revealed on Seagal and LeBell According to Actual Eyewitness Steven Lambert Testimony! (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. An incredible life being rightfully recognized. He worked on over 1,000 movies and wrote a dozen books. In 1954, at the age of 20, Gene won the National Heavyweight Judo Championshi and the USA Overall Judo championship title. 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. 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. Instead of being hit first, it was LeBell who would put Bruce Lee in a headlock and carry him around the set. He is currently the head grappling coach at Jaco Hybrid Training Center.He is the former head grappling coach at both . His second best fight was probably his back and forth battle with 80's and 90's martial arts action star Steven Seagal. Scott Wilder, Thank you Sensei for paving the way for martial artists in this biz! As soon as he landed, LeBell used a foot sweep to sweep Seagal off the floor, with Seagal landing on his back. McCarthy, veteran actress Karen Black and legendary wrestling and martial arts teacher famous for Bruce Lee and Chuck Norris. "[24], Seagal bodyguard and stuntman Steven Lambert, stated he was present and said that a confrontation did happen. [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. Why Are American Teens So Unhappy? 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. Then consider checking: 100 Cummings Ctr. 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. In June of 1976, LeBell served as the referee during the infamous boxing versus wrestling match between Muhammad Ali and Antonio Inoki in Japan. Anil Rai, Congratulations Mr. It is alleged that as soon as LeBell placed his arms around Seagal's neck and Seagal said "go" that LeBell choked him unconscious. 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. You don't earn the nickname 'Judo' without knowing a thing or two about combat; just ask Steven Seagal. Answer (1 of 12): Well It seems to be a bit of a controversy about this. 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. Those were great times !! 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. Gene LeBell's martial arts career was supported and influenced by his mother "Red Head" Aileen Eaten who was a promoter of both sports and who owned the Olympic Auditorium in Los Angeles. All my love and respect Matt Taylor, Aloha Uncle Gene, Mahalo for sharing your secret Hawaiian Hug mahalo for all your knowledge & advice that youve given. Gene LeBell, a renowned stuntman who trained Bruce Lee and inspired the likes of Quentin Tarantino, died in his sleep Tuesday morning at his home in Sherman Oaks, California, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The Alabama passer is one of the smallest QB prospects to be pegged as a first-round pick. "Judo" Gene LeBell | The Godfather of Grappling Some have pointed out that LeBell making easy work of Lee on set may have inspired the scene in Quentin Tarantinos Once Upon a Time in Hollywood in which Brad Pitt, playing veteran stuntman Cliff Booth, has his way with Bruce Lee (played by actor and martial artist Mike Moh) in an on-set sparring match. Gene LeBell's net worth is estimated to be approximately $6 million dollars. LeBell would win the match osaekomi where the practitioner pins the opponent for a specified amount of time earning the victory. Oliver Lee Bateman is a journalist and sports historian who lives in Pittsburgh. Gene LeBell in 2010 and with Lindsay Wagner on 'The Bionic Woman' in 1976 GI. 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. [4] LeBell appeared in three Elvis Presley movies as a minor character who starts a fight with the character played by Presley. You truly are a one-off, a living legend. With a background in judo and jiu-jitsu, LeBell was the mastermind behind some of the greatest fighters in the world. God Bless you Gene and your lovely wife and thanks you for all the things you taught me. 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. [9], Encouraged by Ed Parker,[8] LeBell accepted the challenge and travelled to Salt Lake City to meet Beck. A large frame surrounded a pink gi his signature judo uniform hung above a doorway leading to the training area. In the the Quentin Tarantino film "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood", Bruce Lee was made to look as an arrogant martial arts actor. Genes feature film appearances include Blue Hawaii (1965), Planet of the Apes (1968), Raging Bull (1980), Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins (1985), Bad Guys (1986), Hard to Kill (1990), Die Hard 2 (1990), Patriot Games (1992), Ed Wood (1994), L.A. [29], LeBell was arrested, charged with, and tried for the July 1976 murder of private investigator Robert Duke Hall. [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. Im proud to be a friend of yours for over 50 years. 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. Please enter a valid email and try again. Not long after, he began training judo. 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. "I learned the [LeBell Lock] from a guy named Neil Melanson," Danielson told the WWE website in 2010. LeBell was still teaching grappling and doing stunts in his 70s. Awesome Steve Picerni. Gene LeBell was chosen for the match out of over 200 candidates. You were a better reference than SAG! (James C. Udel, Variety, 2018). 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. Tarantino, whose portrayal of an overconfident Lee by actor Mike Moh in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood spurred backlash drew heavily from LeBell when he crafted Brad Pitts character in the film as stuntman Cliff Booth, as LeBell had trained in Japan and studied judo years before Lee became a master. 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. 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 died in his sleep early Tuesday morning at his home in Sherman Oaks, his trustee and business manager, Kellie Cunningham, told The Hollywood Reporter. He has fought, trained and performed with a dizzying array of some of the most prolific athletes and actors in the world. He was known by many as the "Godfather of Grappling," and influenced fighters around the world. "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. Ivan "Judo" Gene LeBell (October 9, 1932 - August 9, 2022) was an American martial artist, stunt performer, actor, and professional wrestler. 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. 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. Freddie Blassie. As wellback in the day..i drove out to ride motos with Gene & some friends at his area in Frazier Park. . FLASH SALE - Buy 1 video get 40% OFF - COUPON40, Buy 2 videos get 43% OFF - COUPON43, Buy 3 or more videos get 45% OFF - COUPON45. It always put a smile on my face when you would call the SAMP office. An additional stipulation prevented LeBell from attempting tackles or takedowns under the waist. A brief google of you name brings up pages and pages of awesome stories about what youve really accomplished in so many fields. Gene LeBell Dead: Stuntman, Actor And Wrestling Legend Was 89 - Deadline Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic both had 40-point games after the Sixers loss against the Mavs. Stunt coordinator Bennie Dobbins begged LeBell to humble Lee, who allegedly beat up on his stuntmen throughout the shows production. It is his 90th birthday and a celebration and memorial for him, Chivichyan said. Bryan Danielson's LeBell Lock was named after the legendary grappler. The promoters were looking for karate and judo bumsvery distinct striking and grappling specialties, though LeBell knew the basics of karateto fight a boxer, whom LeBell assumed would be Jim Beck, a highly regarded amateur who had called out the practitioners of those sports. 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. Thank you Gene for your friendship over the decades. Matt and Craig talk Oscar tactics and more, then later end the show with a prediction about Chris Rocks live comedy special on Netflix, Rachel and Callie also talk all the Bravo news of the week, By submitting your email, you agree to our. 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. If you want to do a whizzer throw in wrestling, its the same as an uchimata [inner thigh throw] in judo. While working with rising martial arts star Bruce Lee on the set of The Green Hornet, LeBell was instructed by the stunt coordinator to subdue the actorwho was said to be terrorizing the stuntman for a particular sceneand did so by quickly grabbing Lee in a firemans carry and running around the set with him.
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