[7][8] In return, Savage offered to wear a judogi. Ross Clay, Gene is the most unselfish and most giving person I know. All my love and respect Pat Romano, Ya ya Uncle Gene , to one of the Gilberts favorite people . Ivan Judo Gene LeBell (October 9, 1932 August 9, 2022) was an American martial artist, stunt performer, actor, and professional wrestler. It always put a smile on my face when you would call the SAMP office. [8], After returning to the United States, LeBell competed as a heavyweight. We love him! 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.
Interview with Gene LeBell - Kung-fu Kingdom Ronda Rousey. He was born there on November 27, 1940, making him a dual Hong Kong and United States citizen by birth. LeBell was also a judo and grappling prodigy. 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. He was born in Los Angeles, California. 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. In addition to spending extensive time in the world of . In addition to Bruce Lee and Chuck Norris, LeBell also tutored the likes of Roddy Piper (who claimed in his autobiography to have received a black belt in judo from LeBell, though this is likely as spurious as the impossible-to-verify Golden Gloves championship he was sometimes reported as having won), Olympic bronze medalist judoka and future UFC and WWE star Ronda Rousey (who always cited him as an important mentor), American judo champion and instructor Gokor Chivichyan, and Chivichyans Armenian American judo student Karo Parisyan, one of the first notable judo practitioners in the UFC. American judoka and martial arts instructor (19322022), "The Hangman (wrestler)" redirects here. 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. And later on, there is discussion of whether or not double-dipping is an acceptable way to eat! 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.
Wrestling, MMA, movie worlds pay tribute to Judo Gene LeBell Plus, Nadine Smith on the Agendas Behind Wrestling Documentaries. For most of Eatons time in the business, she was the only major female fight promoter in the United States, possibly even the world. He won the Amateur Athletic Union National Judo Championships in 1954 and 1955 when he was 22, according to Black Belt Magazine. Ya big goofball!!! A half-century ago, Pink Floyd unleashed a classic that still lingers on the Billboard charts and in college dorms to this day. Im proud to be a friend of yours for over 50 years. 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. He was a Nevada and California Athletic Commission judge. Well deserved my hat is off to you sir!!! I made very good money, and it led me into a career in stunt work.. The grappling club master . [17] Ultimately, nothing came from it.
Home | hayastanmma 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. Sat 9th Apr 2022 19.30 BST. Extant fight footage shows a stocky LeBell, probably 60 to 70 pounds heavier than he was when he debuted in judo, cautiously circling and then struggling to throw the much smaller man, who exhibited sound wrestling defense. Humbled to be 1 of many. Congratulations very well deserved! Big hug and a kiss! [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. Ivan Gene LeBell (born October 9, 1932) is an American martial artist, instructor, stunt performer, and professional wrestler born in Los Angeles, California. Mike Massa, Congratulations Gene!! Sugar Ray Robinson. 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. Few people know the amount of time, energy, dedication, innovation , and pure love you have graced us with in your illustrious career! Freddie Blassie.
Gene LeBell Dies: Stuntman, Actor And Wrestling Legend Who Fought Bruce AEW Revolution Preview, and Whats Going on With Brock, Bray, Bobby, and Omos? You used to practice on your son David and I used to say to him I want to try that too, to be choked out by your dad. Steven Seagal was a highly trained aikido expert and because of this, he would proclaim to the world that he was immune to choking. You always got the cool moves to Choke em Out .. stay healthy my friend .. Love, Troy Gilbert, Unreal. 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. [10], The loss by Savage, the hometown favorite, caused the crowd to react violently. Allen Lopa, Congrats to a legend!! He is highly respected by many martial artists all over the world, and has . Outside of the fight game, LeBell worked in film & television, appearing in multiple Elvis Presley movies and working on The Green Hornet TV series, where he struck up a friendship with Bruce Lee. Congratulations my brother!!! He believed in me which made me believe in myself. The Savage camp claimed they did not know the difference. Over the course of this six-decade career, LeBell had a hand in training many prominent players in the entertainment, wrestling, and MMA worlds. Gene LeBell talks about Bruce Lee.
Who's The Real "Father Of MMA"? 10 Fighters More Deserving Of The Hans Gutknecht has been a photojournalist at the Los Angeles Daily News since 1992. Chris Pellitteri, Mr. Gene LeBell ; Thank you for your kindness and wisdom over the years. 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. Jimmy Halty, Congratulations Gene.
Legendary MMA Trainer Gene LeBell Has Passed Away At 89 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. [4] LeBell appeared in three Elvis Presley movies as a minor character who starts a fight with the character played by Presley. LeBell also gained notoriety for the way he dealt with the notoriously eccentric and aggressive Steven Seagal on the set of the 1991 film Out for Justice. 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. We ask all these burning questions, and more! He is currently the head grappling coach at Jaco Hybrid Training Center.He is the former head grappling coach at both . [6], Ivan Gene LeBell was born in Los Angeles, California. Freddie Blassie, who starred for Aileen Eaton and Mike LeBell for decades, wrote in his autobiography Legends of Wrestling: Listen, You Pencil Neck Geeks that LeBells believability in the ring wasnt what mattered to Mike and Aileenit was his credibility: When the family needed an enforcer to step into the ring with a wrestler who didnt want to go along with the program, all they had to do was open Genes bedroom door and tell him to get into his wrestling gear.. He worked on over 1,000 movies and wrote a dozen books. In return, the boxer's camp agreed that he would wear a Judo Gi or uniform, although he ultimately wore a Karate Gi which fit much tighter and was more difficult to grab onto. 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, Famed Stuntman and "Godfather of Grappling," Dies at 89 A martial artist and judo champion, he taught Bruce Lee, fought in an early mixed martial arts fight and served as an. 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. Mary Karcz, Hi Gene, Id just like to Congratulate you on your receiving the Taurus Lifetime Achievement Award. Professional wrestler Bas Rutten announced LeBell's death via Facebook, writing, "You will be greatly missed Gene, Black Belt EXCLUSIVE. [9], Encouraged by Ed Parker,[8] LeBell accepted the challenge and travelled to Salt Lake City to meet Beck. 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. Each speaker spoke fondly of the larger-than-life LeBell, recounting stories and memories of how he inspired them and the love they felt for him. LeBell demonstrated the choke hold by putting it on Seagal. Ill be there to shake your hand tomorrow. Judo Gene!!!
Gene LeBell - Wikipedia Ivan Gene LeBell (October 9, 1932 - August 9, 2022) was an American martial artist, instructor, stunt performer, and professional wrestler. [3][4], In 2000, the United States Ju-Jitsu Federation (USJJF) promoted LeBell to 9th dan in jujitsu and taihojutsu. 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. Love you brother congratulations! Nicknamed "The Godfather of Grappling", he popularized grappling in professional fighting circles, serving as a precursor to modern mixed martial arts. Heffay Cadiente, Big congrats Uncle Gene! Best to You Gene !! LeBell was never a main-event star in wrestling and by even the most generous assessment wasnt exactly a crowd-pleaser in the ring. Today we will take a look at just a fraction of it. In 1954, at the age of 20, Gene won the National Heavyweight Judo Championshi and the USA Overall Judo championship title. Ron DeSantis presidential prospects, Taft football coach Jeff Kearin steps down in support of school faculty member, Baram and Tioumentsev win World Junior title hours after their coach, Todd Sand, suffers heart attack, Snow collapses roof of Goodwin and Sons, Crestlines only grocery store, Gracie Abrams behind Good Riddance message in Los Angeles sky, Tax filing deadline moves to mid-October for most Californians, Alpine Village shopkeepers get confirmation: theyre being evicted, Ex-sheriffs deputy gets 100 hours of community service for shooting hoax, $31 million goes to San Fernando Valley light-rail line and to engage community, Who will replace ex-LA councilmember Nury Martinez? Your positivity and generosity knows no limit. [31], On August 9, 2022, LeBell died in his sleep.[32][33]. Gene was an actor and stuntman in Hollywood productions for over fifty years with more than 150 acting credits and 250 stunt credits. So may you rest in power, Gene.. David Burton, Congrats Gene LeBell great job well done Grover Gay, Congrats Gene LeBell! RIP Gene LeBell - Part II. Since Hayastan MMA Academy first opened its door, it has been one of the top gyms in the world.
Gene LeBell Record, Net Worth, Weight, Age & More! Ill toast you from Texas! According to Lambert, Seagal explained to LeBell that he did not believe his choke hold was effective, and that he could escape from it. 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. In December 1939, his parents went to Chinatown, San Francisco in California for an international opera tour. 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. 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. Along the way, his list of big-name collaborators, students, and opponents became as packed as his CV; in addition to Lee, . LeBell recalled throwing Lee over his shoulder and running around set as Lee screamed, Put me down or Ill kill you. The pair became friends, and LeBell taught Lee judo and wrestling moves, many of which Lee used in his movies, The Way of The Dragon and Enter the Dragon., He was the best martial artist of his time, LeBell recalled in Black Belt Magazine. Roddy Piper. "Judo" Gene LeBell the "Godfather of Grappling" was both a renowned ex-world champion in both wrestling/judo, and one of Hollywood's busiest stuntmen. Karl Gotch. 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. Some of his vast television credits includeThe Jack Benny Program (1962), The Man from U.N.C.L.E (1965) The Green Hornet (1965), Mission: Impossible (1966), I Spy (1965), The Wild Wild West (1965), Bonanza (1968), Kung Fu (1972), Beretta (1975), Starsky and Hutch (1975), Fantasy Island (1979), The Greatest American Hero (1981), Married with Children (1987), Baywatch (1989), The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (1992), Walker Texas Ranger (1993), That 70s Show (1998), The X-Files (2000), The Shield (2002), Reno 911 (2003), 24 (2010) and Jimmy Kimmel Live. Thank you, Mr. LeBell! Mr. LeBell died on Aug. 9 at his home in the Sherman Oaks neighborhood of Los Angeles.
RIP Gene LeBell - Part II - Black Belt Magazine In the martial arts, he captured the National A.A.U. The Hollywood Reporter: Gene LeBell, Famed Stuntman and Godfather of Grappling, Dies at 89, Deadline: Gene LeBell Dies: Stuntman, Actor And Wrestling Legend Who Fought Bruce Lee & Chuck Norris Onscreen Was 89, MMA Fighting: Toughest man I know: Pros react to pioneer Judo Gene LeBells death, The Huffington Post: Gene LeBell, Famed Stuntman, Martial Artist And Bruce Lees Teacher Dies At 89.
Former stuntman, wrestling promoter Gene LeBell dead at 89 Gene LeBell, 89, Judo Champion, Wrestler and Star Stuntman, Dies He was a Nevada and California Athletic Commission judge. Sometimes Steven has a tendency to cheese off the wrong people, and you can get hurt doing that. [10] LeBell tried several techniques through the second and third rounds and was finally successful in taking Savage down, but Savage kept defending both standing and on the ground in a very technical manner, seemingly confirming LeBell's theory about his opponent's grappling training. developed adult skills by 13.
Gene LeBell Passes Away At Age 89 - Ringside News Ivan Gene LeBell was born in Los Angeles on Oct. 9, 1932.
Gene LeBell - Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia LeBell was still teaching grappling and doing stunts in his 70s. As a stuntman, LeBell reportedly endured a punch from John Wayne for the 1952 film Big Jim McLain and a kick in the face from Elvis Presley for Blue Hawaii in 1961.
Gene LeBell - Alchetron, The Free Social Encyclopedia Most of his notoriety came after the release of his biggest film, Enter the Dragon, that same year. 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. With only one uniform in his luggage, he wore the pink gi in Japan, and beat the competition. He would also occasionally wrestle in a disguise as The Hangman. 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. Plus, does starting Tyrese Maxey versus DeAnthony Melton make a difference on the defensive end? Still, he continued to get regular stunt work on TV. You truly are a one-off, a living legend. Youre not only a legend to me but a great, great friend. Judo Gene LeBell the Godfather of Grappling was both a renowned ex-world champion in both wrestling/judo, and one of Hollywoods busiest stuntmen. You deserve every bit of it! Afterwards, attracted by better potential earnings and the family's legacy in the business, LeBell transitioned to professional wrestling. He deserves this award. After spending time training Judo overseas in Japan at the Kodokan, in 1954 the 22 year old Gene Lebell would capture both the heavyweight and the overall Judo Championships. After earning these titles, LeBell made the transition to professional wrestling because of the promise of better earnings in the sport. [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. 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. As a stuntman, Gene has worked on more than 1000 film and television projects during a career that has spanned over 50 years. Weve worked together for over (50) years and its been (50) years of pure delight. 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. 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.
Neil Melanson - Wikipedia He repeated this dominant performance in 1955, winning all but one of his 18 matches solely with standing throws.
Gene LeBell, Famed Stuntman and "Godfather of Grappling," Dies at 89 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. I have ridden on the back of his bike for one of his marathon wheelies.Pine Mtn Club so much fun. 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 - IMDb In 2004, Gene Lebell was promoted to 10th degree black belt in those arts. I love you Gene and I am very proud of your accomplishments in our business. Roberts, Nobody in the world more respected!! According to the Hollywood Reporter, famed stunt performer Gene LeBell died on August 9 at the age of 89. So well deserved!! [21] He was quoted as saying: "When we had a little altercation or difference of opinion, there were thirty stuntmen and cameramen that were watching. In 2000, the United States Ju-Jitsu Federation (USJJF) promoted him to 9th Dan in jujitsu and taihojutsu.
"Judo" Gene LeBelle Passes Away At Age 89 | Rajah.com [9], The match took place on December 2, 1963. You have definitely earned it for all your contributions to the industry. You can follow him on Twitter (@MoustacheClubUS) and read more of his work at www.oliverbateman.com. You don't earn the nickname 'Judo' without knowing a thing or two about combat; just ask Steven Seagal. Gene LeBell's most famous match was his match with boxer/wrestler Milo Savage. His first match would be against the highly ranked judoka John Osako. He was acquitted and continued performing stunts for the big and small screen, alike. (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.