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. "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. LeBell has worked on over 1000 TV Show and Film projects. 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. Born in Los Angeles in 1932, LeBell was shipped off to a military. It couldnt go to a better man. The loss by the hometown boxer nearly caused a riot to breakout and despite the promotions attempt to calm the violence, Gene LeBell was nearly stabbed on the way out of the venue. With a background in judo and jiu-jitsu, LeBell was the mastermind behind some of the greatest fighters in the world. According to the Hollywood Reporter, famed stunt performer Gene LeBell died on August 9 at the age of 89. Our aim is to create a shop for BJJ Students who don't look at Jiu-Jitsu as a sport - but a lifestyle. Many modern-day MMA fans recognize LeBell as the one who is present in many of Rousey's early games, coaching her on. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG), Martial artist Bas Rutten poses for a photo with Midge LeBell, wife of Judo Gene LeBell, during a celebration of his life on what would have been Genes 90th birthday at Hayastan MMA Academy in North Hollywood Sunday, October 9, 2022. In June of 1976, LeBell served as the referee during the infamous boxing versus wrestling match between Muhammad Ali and Antonio Inoki in Japan. Gene LeBell reflects on 50th anniversary of first major American mixed Well deserved my friend, and sensei! He is the greatest!! On the day of the match, Savage appeared wearing a karategi instead, much tighter and harder to grab. Ivan Gene LeBell was born in Los Angeles on Oct. 9, 1932. if thirty people are watching, let them talk about it. He has trained with or taught grappling skills to many well-known wrestlers and martial artists, such as Benny "The Jet" Urquidez, Bob Wall, Chuck Norris, Ed Parker, Gokor Chivichyan, Karo Parisyan, "Rowdy" Roddy Piper, Mando Guerrero, Manny Gamburyan. 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. [9], Encouraged by Ed Parker,[8] LeBell accepted the challenge and travelled to Salt Lake City to meet Beck. Something went wrong. [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. After earning these titles, LeBell made the transition to professional wrestling because of the promise of better earnings in the sport. Gene LeBell Record, Net Worth, Weight, Age & More. 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. Whats legacy, anyway? You too? 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. 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. I love you Gene and I am very proud of your accomplishments in our business. 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. The Legendary Gene LeBell Passes Away at 89 - Wrestling Headlines It was the long-running Lassie series that first tested LeBells mettle. 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. Muhammad Ali. Gene LeBell Honored with Lifetime Achievement Award The Cauliflower Alley Club presented the award. [2] He was born in Los Angeles. 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. 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. Congratulations Uncle Gene! Gene LeBell talks about Bruce Lee. 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. 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. 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. 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. Way to go Uncle Gene!!! People called him the Toughest Man Alive. If I have seen further it has been by standing on the shoulders of giants like you!! Hans Gutknecht has been a photojournalist at the Los Angeles Daily News since 1992. LeBell's conviction for being an accessory was later overturned by the California Courts of Appeal. His death was announced by Kellie Cunningham, his trustee and business manager, who did not. 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. Congratulations! A brief google of you name brings up pages and pages of awesome stories about what youve really accomplished in so many fields. Its about time!! He repeated this dominant performance in 1955, winning all but one of his 18 matches solely with standing throws. He had spent time in Japan training at the Kodokan. While men like Wagner and later Freddie Blassie and Dick the Destroyer Beyer would headline Eatons wrestling cards, the young LeBellbereft of a father figurestarted at the very bottom, learning the ropes in the hardest away imaginable, twisted into pretzels by grapplers like the aging Evan Strangler Lewis, from whom LeBell asked to learn the Stranglers signature headlock when LeBell was the tender age of 7. He was 89. Grand Master Leg Locks by Gokor Chivichyan. Bruce and I had a bond with the martial arts, and we would get together frequently. So happy for you. 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. If I could get my arms around you I would hug you. Congratulations, Connie P Conrad Palmisano, Congratulations Uncle Gene for receiving the lifetime award. LeBells top student, Gokor Chivichyan, hosted the event at his martial arts academy to celebrate the life of his mentor and close friend. Gene Lebell, who had an acting and stunt career that stretched from The Adventures of Ozzie . Proud to be your friend! 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. If you want to do a whizzer throw in wrestling, its the same as an uchimata [inner thigh throw] in judo. Unfortunately, Bruce Lee passed away a few years later in 1973. He is there to help you any time any where. 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. 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.. He is currently 89 years old. Contents Roddy Piper Talks MMA and Judo Gene LeBell G-E-N-E Capital-L-E-Capital-B-E-L-L. . Rick Seaman, Well Geno, they said it couldnt be done but youve done it again. LeBell accompanied Ronda Rousey to the cage for some of her MMA matches in recent years, and served as a MMA judge through 2018. Most of his notoriety came after the release of his biggest film, Enter the Dragon, that same year. Freddy Bouceigues, No one deserves this more then you uncle Gene. Whats different about the Sixers this year? 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. For a time, he took on a role as "policeman" for the organization, helping to maintain order. [31], On August 9, 2022, LeBell died in his sleep.[32][33]. 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!!! [3][4], In 2000, the United States Ju-Jitsu Federation (USJJF) promoted LeBell to 9th dan in jujitsu and taihojutsu. 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. He has fought, trained and performed with a dizzying array of some of the most prolific athletes and actors in the world. Gene LeBell was a man who lived a full and adventurous life. Congratulations & we all love you. Legendary MMA Trainer Gene LeBell Has Passed Away At 89 Its an honor to be your student and friend. Gene LeBell is a legend in the world of MMA and Martial Arts. 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. The late 'Judo' Gene LeBell's 90th birthday is celebrated by 200 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. 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Nicknamed "The Godfather of Grappling", he popularized grappling in professional fighting circles, serving as a precursor to modern mixed martial arts. Scott Wilder, Thank you Sensei for paving the way for martial artists in this biz! They knew each other and worked together on the Green Hornet. Even more appreciated by those of us choked out by you !!! (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. Congrats to the amazing living legend John Stoneham, Jr. Congratulations Gene, you know I love you, and Im so very very proud of you. Along the way, his list of big-name collaborators, students, and opponents became as packed as his CV; in addition to Lee, . Tough Guys Wear Pink in Any Color, Judo Master and Film Stuntman Gene 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. It goes to a great man of strength, integrity and honor. This scene is loosely based on world class Judoka Gene LeBell . Gene LeBell heard about the proclamation and decided to take Seagal up on the challenge. "The great Gene Lebell, toughest man I know, has passed away and left us at the age of 89," Rutten wrote. [30], LeBell and Ginsburgs were former friends and business partners of Hall. Blessed if you know him, crazy fun guy. God Bless you Gene and your lovely wife and thanks you for all the things you taught me. Ian Avabe, You Rock a Master of all well deserved Si PJ Hooper Kelly, Congratulations Gene. Please enter a valid email and try again. He would also occasionally wrestle in a disguise as The Hangman. #246C,Beverly, MA 01915,United States. For LeBell, one martial art naturally flowed into another; they were already mixing together in his curious mind. RIP Gene LeBell - Part II - Black Belt Magazine He worked on over 1,000 movies and wrote a dozen books. Is MJF the Second Coming of CM Punk? You have definitely earned it for all your contributions to the industry. Thank you, Mr. LeBell! [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. Gene LeBell had three children including stuntman son David LeBell and FBI . Gene LeBell was promoted to 9th degree in jujitsu and taihojutsu in 2000 by the United States Ju-Jitsu (USJJF) Ju Jitsu Federation. Gene LeBell, Famed Stuntman, Martial Artist And Bruce Lee's Teacher Afterwards, attracted by better potential earnings and the family's legacy in the business, LeBell transitioned to professional wrestling. 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! (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. 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. 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. 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. Bruce Lee. Weve worked together for over (50) years and its been (50) years of pure delight. Gary Goltz. After an illustrious judo career, Gene tried his hand at professional wrestling, and actually won the heavyweight title in Amarillo, Texas. Christian Fletcher, Congratulations Gene! We couldnt prouder. 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. LeBell would win the match osaekomi where the practitioner pins the opponent for a specified amount of time earning the victory. Interview with Gene LeBell. Gene LeBell would become involved in a challenge match proposed by boxer and writer Jim Beck to all practitioners of Japanese martial arts. 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. Ronnie and Mary Rondell, Congratulations Uncle Gene! ", "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. Seagal, a towering man who had a background in the Japanese martial art of aikido, has long battled with stunt choreographers and fight trainers on setin Shooters, Jonathan Snowden quotes Pride announcer Stephen Quadross story of engaging in an uncomfortable series of wristlock exchanges with Seagal on the set of the 2001 film Exit Woundsbut by most accounts (and there are many), his encounter with LeBell went poorly. Gene LeBell - Wikipedia Professional wrestler Bas Rutten announced LeBell's death via Facebook, writing, "You will be greatly missed Gene, There he found quick success. LeBell, who spent much of his later years overseeing the National Wrestling Alliance in Los Angeles, was even charged with murder when private investigator Robert Duke Hall was killed in 1976. Gene LeBell was born on October 9, 1932. He taught me how to fight, taught me how to ride. One thing I learned was never never mess with Gene LeBell. [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. [7][8] In return, Savage offered to wear a judogi. Gene LeBell Had A Hilarious Response To That Famous Steven - Looper Remembering Gene LeBell - The Ringer R.I.P. legendary wrestler and stunt performer Gene LeBell - The A.V. Club This award is only given to a select few. Love ya, Buddy Joe Hooker, My dear friend Gene. Bruce Lee - Wikipedia 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 chokes out student and he has 'accident' Bottles, chairs, and other debris were thrown into the ring. You are a true living legend! 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. Ill toast you from Texas! Gene LeBell began his martial arts training at the age of 13 and went on to become the Godfather of Grappling and is considered by many to be the father of MMA. Gene LeBell Dies: Stuntman, Actor And Wrestling Legend Who Fought Bruce Gene LeBell, also known as 'Judo Gene LeBell' is best known for, you guessed it, judo. With respect, Missy OMalley-Reynolds, Uncle Gene, Thanks for never burning our house down. 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? (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG). Gene LeBell, Famed Stuntman and "Godfather of Grappling," Dies at 89 Roddy Piper. Alan Oliney, Hey Gene, Thanks for being a four-star mentor to so many and thanks for being Gene Lebell. [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. 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. Gene LeBell, Famed Stuntman and "Godfather of Grappling," Dies at 89 Wrestling, MMA, movie worlds pay tribute to Judo Gene LeBell