In 1954, at the age of 20, Gene won the National Heavyweight Judo Championshi and the USA Overall Judo championship title. Almost everyone present to honor him wore a Gene LeBell tee-shirt, and his widow Midge sported a sweater covered in patches that LeBell made over the years to give out to fans for souvenirs. We cant have blood! Gaffer tape stanched the bleeding, and LeBell managed six more takes. LeBell is also a writer and has penned a dozen books on martial arts. He worked in. The Mandalorian Season 3 Episode 1 Deep Dive, The Biggest Questions About the Seasons Stretch Run, KDs Suns Debut, Load Management, and Five-Year Anniversary of the Rockets-Clippers Tunnel Debacle. His very first match was against John Osako, one of the highest ranked judokas at the national level. To succeed in the NFL, hell need to be an outlier among outliers. "I learned the [LeBell Lock] from a guy named Neil Melanson," Danielson told the WWE website in 2010. An additional stipulation prevented LeBell from attempting tackles or takedowns under the waist. Ross Clay, Gene is the most unselfish and most giving person I know. Wrestling, MMA, movie worlds pay tribute to Judo Gene LeBell [10] Also, according to LeBell and other sources, Savage's gloves contained brass knuckles[9][10] and he had greased up his gi with vaseline to make gripping it more difficult. [17] Ultimately, nothing came from it. McCarthy, veteran actress Karen Black and legendary wrestling and martial arts teacher famous for Bruce Lee and Chuck Norris. There is no one alive on this planet that deserves this Life Time Achievement Award more than you. I made very good money, and it led me into a career in stunt work.. Tanner Gill, Congrats Uncle Gene!! [20], LeBell also appeared in "The World of Martial Arts Budojujitsu". 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 talks about Bruce Lee. Gene LeBell heard about the proclamation and decided to take Seagal up on the challenge. August 10, 2022 11:30 am ET. After, my arms were trembling with strain, you told me to stop and smiled at me, and said kid, dont quit your day job. Voters will soon get a say, As Adderall shortage continues, DEA plans to limit some telemedicine prescriptions, House where JonBenet Ramsey was found dead listed for sale for almost $7M, Columbia University permanently drops SAT, ACT admissions requirement, The Waterbed Doctor: California retailer lays claim to retro bed with nearly 40 years of service, sales, Felonious Florida podcast: Missing teenage girl leads to several cases of child sex trafficking, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. In a fifty year career of high falls and fist fights, Gene LeBell has crashed cars, jumped motorcycles, wrestled bears, incited riots and fought some of the deadliest men in the world. On Sunday, Oct. 9, legendary martial artist and stuntman "Judo" Gene LeBell would have turned 90. Hollywood stuntman and martial artist Gene LeBell has died. He is there to help you any time any where. There he found quick success. Its about time!! 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). (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. Well deserved my friend, and sensei! Gene LeBell - Wikipedia God bless. LeBell has also worked on over 1,000 films and TV shows and has authored 12 books. The fun motorcycle rides we used to go on out at the Pig Farm and at your mountain house. Nicknamed "The Godfather of Grappling", he popularized grappling in professional fighting circles, serving as a precursor to modern mixed martial arts. (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. [14], LeBell has opened two martial art schools in cooperation with others and has touted his 1963 match with Milo Savage as the first televised MMA fight in America.[15][16]. I love you Gene and I am very proud of your accomplishments in our business. But whats the legacy of the blockbuster album? UFC news: 'Judo' Gene LeBell dead at 89; MMA community mourns Why Are American Teens So Unhappy? I feel honored to say Ive never been choked out by the legend Gene LaBellI consider you a true friend. People called him the Toughest Man Alive. Bruce Lee's father Lee Hoi-chuen was a famous Cantonese opera singer based in Hong Kong. Gene LeBell Had A Hilarious Response To That Famous Steven - Looper Roddy Piper. Gene LeBell had three children including stuntman son David LeBell and FBI . Awesome Steve Picerni. For a time, he took on a role as "policeman" for the organization, helping to maintain order. Interview with Gene LeBell. Congratulations Gene LeBell! Gene LeBell, iconic martial arts pioneer, dies at the age of 89 - Daily 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. A pioneer of martial arts, he lived a long and fascinating life. The program featured several other martial artists including Graciela Casilas, Karen Sheperd, Victor Ledbetter, Steve Sanders, brothers Benny and Reuben Urquidez, and Dave Vaden. Well deserved.- Bonnie Happy, Well deserved. [23] LeBell's trainee Ronda Rousey, assured Seagal was the one lying and said: "If [Seagal] says anything bad about Gene to my face, I'd have to make him crap his pants a second time. In June 1976, LeBell refereed the infamous boxing-versus-wrestling contest between Muhammad Ali and Antonio Inoki in Tokyo, Japan. 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. 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. He will always be my Stunt Senei. He repeated this dominant performance in 1955, winning all but one of his 18 matches solely with standing throws. It hurt. Best Hugh Aodh OBrien, All Rights Reserved.Web design by My Life at Speed Digital Services, Stan Barrett, Paul Newman, and Breaking Land Speed Records, Annual Stunts Unlimited Directory Membership Payment, The Stunts Unlimited Directory Membership 20% Off Promotion, actor and stuntman in Hollywood productions, https://stuntsunlimited.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Jon-Boucher-One-of-my-personal-favorite-Gene-Lebell-television-appearances-as-Tarzan-McGirk-taking-on-the-mysterious-Masked-Marvel-on-an-episode-of-The-Munsters..mp4, In Loving Memory of Judo Gene LeBell, 1932-2022. [citation needed] In addition he also worked on the set of the Green Hornet TV show, in which he developed a friendship with Bruce Lee. Ronda Rousey, Bryan Danielson, and many more idolized the . 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. Love ya, Bax Craig Baxley, Sr. Gene LeBell: Bruce Lee in the UFC, Ronda Rousey, if anybody can beat her, Judo in MMA, Jimmy Kimmel, Congratulations Gene..its about time!!! 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. Some of his most famous students were, Ronda Rousey, Sugar Ray Robinson,. Featuring "Judo" Gene LeBell's champion student "The Armenian Assassin" Gokor Chivichyan and friends." . LeBell's longtime friend Bas Rutten first revealed the news on Facebook. So they said I could make good money in professional wrestling, which I did. LeBell was also a judo and grappling prodigy. Lance Gilbert, Gene , you are surely deserving of this achievement even though your humility wont allow you to agree with us. Stuntman Gene LeBell might not have been around since Hollywood's first fist fight, but his skill has transformed the genre. 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. 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. [3][4], In 2000, the United States Ju-Jitsu Federation (USJJF) promoted LeBell to 9th dan in jujitsu and taihojutsu. Chris Pellitteri, Mr. Gene LeBell ; Thank you for your kindness and wisdom over the years. He would also occasionally wrestle in a disguise as The Hangman. Instead of being hit first, it was LeBell who would put Bruce Lee in a headlock and carry him around the set. 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. (Gene LeBell Biography). 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. Whats different about the Sixers this year? Present-day UFC fans probably best remember him from his time spent wielding a stopwatch in the corner of his protege, Ronda Rousey, while wrestling fans might know his name from when Daniel Bryan used to call his finisher the LeBell Lock. But despite that, the MMA pioneer isnt a household name, which is a shame, because if youre a fan of combat sports, he absolutely should be. Christian Fletcher, Congratulations Gene! 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. A half-century ago, Pink Floyd unleashed a classic that still lingers on the Billboard charts and in college dorms to this day. Gene LeBell's net worth is estimated to be approximately $6 million dollars. On the day of the match, Savage appeared wearing a karategi instead, much tighter and harder to grab. August 10, 2022 1:24pm. Congratulations! 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. 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. Youre not only a legend to me but a great, great friend. Congrats my friend and God Bless. 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. Gene LeBell Record, Net Worth, Weight, Age & More. Interview with Gene LeBell - Kung-fu Kingdom American judoka and martial arts instructor (19322022), "The Hangman (wrestler)" redirects here. 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. Gene LeBell is currently married to Wendy LeBell whom he married in 1977. 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. His talent in his field was known worldwide and those that got to know him knew he had a heart that matched that talent, the groups statement added. I have ridden on the back of his bike for one of his marathon wheelies.Pine Mtn Club so much fun. He was 89. 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. Lewis, Friendship is born at the moment when one person says to another: What! 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 . Ya big goofball!!! LeBell, who also authored more than 12 books on martial arts that simultaneously chronicled his storied career, is survived by his wife Eleanor, children Monica and David, stepchildren Danny and Stacy, and grandchildren Daniel, Tyler and Nicholas. Ivan Gene LeBell was born in Los Angeles on Oct. 9, 1932. He is currently 89 years old. When he arrived, Gene LeBell learned that he would not be fighting Beck, but instead a much more well-known boxer in Milo Savage. Sugar Ray Robinson. Allen Lopa, Congrats to a legend!! After his mother remarried, LeBell was raised near L.A.s old Olympic Auditorium. [29], LeBell was arrested, charged with, and tried for the July 1976 murder of private investigator Robert Duke Hall. judo. 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. Legendary MMA Trainer Gene LeBell Has Passed Away At 89 The only thing I have against MMA is they dont have a retirement plan. [7][8] In return, Savage offered to wear a judogi. David Burton, Congrats Gene LeBell great job well done Grover Gay, Congrats Gene LeBell! (James C. Udel, Variety, 2018), Gene started training in judo at a young age, and at the age of 20 in 1954, he won National AAU Heavyweight Judo Championship and the USA Overall Judo Championship title. August 10, 2022 1:24pm. Grand Master Gi Grappling by Gokor Chivichyan. If you want to do a whizzer throw in wrestling, its the same as an uchimata [inner thigh throw] in judo. 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. However, the writing was on the wall for Savage: LeBell threw and then mounted the boxer in the second round, although he couldnt secure a finish, then hip-tossed him in the fourth round before using a gi choke to render his foe unconsciousmuch to the displeasure of the crowd, which was unused to seeing people choked in this way. Gene taught my three sons how to take every day life in the training under Gene. In the the Quentin Tarantino film "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood", Bruce Lee was made to look as an arrogant martial arts actor. The Toughest Man Alive. Anil Rai, Congratulations Mr. "[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. You too? [10], The loss by Savage, the hometown favorite, caused the crowd to react violently. Seagal himself denies the entire situation, calling LeBell a sick, pathological scumbag liar, though even Seagals former bodyguard Steven Lambert tells a version of the story that has Seagal attempting to resist LeBells application of the hold before winding up on the ground, though remaining conscious throughout. And Thank You for all those Decals and Patches you sent Charlotte and I each Christmas. This match could be argued to be the first televised MMA match in history. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him, especially us. Stoked I get to make it this year. Gene LeBell was born on October 9, 1932. LeBell even awarded Piper a legitimate Black Belt in Judo . If I could get my arms around you I would hug you. Judo Gene LeBell the Godfather of Grappling was both a renowned ex-world champion in both wrestling/judo, and one of Hollywoods busiest stuntmen. With respect, Missy OMalley-Reynolds, Uncle Gene, Thanks for never burning our house down. [10][11] Nevertheless, LeBell got mount and found the opportunity to execute an armbar, but he opted instead to seek a choke, concluding that Savage would not surrender to a broken arm. How Do We Solve This Crisis? At four months old (April 1941), the Lee family returned to Hong Kong. [6], Ivan Gene LeBell was born in Los Angeles, California. Gene Lebell, who had an acting and stunt career that stretched from The Adventures of Ozzie . Gene LeBell - Alchetron, The Free Social Encyclopedia [2] LeBell's conviction for being an accessory was later overturned by the California Courts of Appeal. 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. 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. 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. Gene LeBell had three children including stuntman son David LeBell and FBI agent daughter Monica LeBell Pandis. Not long after, he began training judo. 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. (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. Those were great times !! He was set to compete the following day and being a Saturday evening when he received the now colored uniform, he had to compete in the pink uniform. For 89 years, few did that work better than Judo Gene LeBell. This is very much deserved. 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. 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. Answer (1 of 12): Well It seems to be a bit of a controversy about this. Freddie Blassie. "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. His death was announced by Kellie Cunningham, his trustee and business manager, who did not. August 18 | 2022. blackbeltmag.com. 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 . R.I.P. legendary wrestler and stunt performer Gene LeBell - The A.V. Club Video: Gene LeBell in boxing vs. judo fight in 1963 Erik Stabenau, Congratulations Gene. The two became close friends, but the actors untimely death stymied LeBells chance for future speaking parts. Plus, Nadine Smith on the Agendas Behind Wrestling Documentaries. Could James Harden Potentially Return to Houston After the Season? 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. [28], LeBell was friends with world champion judoka AnnMaria De Mars, and had known her daughter, Olympic judoka, mixed martial artist and professional wrestler Ronda Rousey since her birth. I was driving a weenie mobile and Gene was driving a truck and they wanted a near miss, so we did the take and they said we werent close enough we showed em the paint scraped off the sides of the cars and they said, Okay, I guess youre right. I get his patches every year, got em all right here. LeBell was never a main-event star in wrestling and by even the most generous assessment wasnt exactly a crowd-pleaser in the ring. Gene LeBell - Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia In addition to spending extensive time in the world of . 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. 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. You have definitely earned it for all your contributions to the industry. His notable students include Rousey, WWE Hall of Famer Roddy Piper, and Chuck Norris, among others. After winning amateur national competitions in judo, LeBell decided to make the switch to pro wrestling as it offered more lucrative earnings. 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. He worked on over 1,000 movies and wrote a dozen books. He is highly respected by many martial artists all over the world, and has . His career bore that out. [8], After returning to the United States, LeBell competed as a heavyweight. This set the Japanese crowd livid, as it was considered very insulting, but they somewhat calmed down after LeBell went on to win his division. He won the Amateur Athletic Union National Judo Championships in 1954 and 1955 when he was 22, according to Black Belt Magazine. [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. Jimmy Halty, Congratulations Gene. Gary Goltz. 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. You always tried to get me to go dirt biking with you but I never gave in. He was acquitted and continued performing stunts for the big and small screen, alike. According to the Hollywood Reporter, famed stunt performer Gene LeBell died on August 9 at the age of 89. He was a Nevada and California Athletic Commission judge. Most of his notoriety came after the release of his biggest film, Enter the Dragon, that same year. AEW, Triple H & WWE acknowledged LeBell's influence. It goes to a great man of strength, integrity and honor. For most of Eatons time in the business, she was the only major female fight promoter in the United States, possibly even the world. As a stuntman, Gene has worked on more than 1000 film and television projects during a career that has spanned over 50 years. Bruce Lee. Hardcover - January 1, 2004. The Life & Legend of "Judo" Gene LeBell - POST 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 . Thank you Gene for your friendship over the decades. LeBell authored at least twelve books, including: On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Today we will take a look at just a fraction of it. 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. Congrats Rick Avery, Congratulations Uncle Gene! OSU! The Bahamas Wrestling Association: Black Wrestling and the Birth of a Nation. He is loved by so many and admired by countless others. 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. The back and forth match between the boxer and the grappler/judoka was an early precursor to the mixed martial arts battles that millions of fans enjoy today. Humbled to be 1 of many. Heavyweight and Overall Judo Championships in 1954, and again in 1955 - long before Judo became an Olympic sport and was broadly appreciated in the western world. 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. LeBell is said to have placed his arms around Seagal's neck, and once Seagal said "go", proceeded to choke him unconscious, with Seagal losing control of his bowels. More embellished versions include details about Seagal defecating himself. Gene LeBell - IMDb Over the course of this six-decade career, LeBell had a hand in training many prominent players in the entertainment, wrestling, and MMA worlds. 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. 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. His mother, Aileen Eaton, promoted fights at the Olympic Auditorium and was the first woman inducted into the International Boxing Hall of . LeBell accompanied Ronda Rousey to the cage for some of her MMA matches in recent years, and served as a MMA judge through 2018. 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. He was born there on November 27, 1940, making him a dual Hong Kong and United States citizen by birth.