Few will live a life as extraordinary as Gene LeBell has. He is the greatest!! Ed Lewis. Plus, does starting Tyrese Maxey versus DeAnthony Melton make a difference on the defensive end? Gene LeBell had three children including stuntman son David LeBell and FBI agent daughter Monica LeBell Pandis. Stuntman Gene LeBell might not have been around since Hollywood's first fist fight, but his skill has transformed the genre. Love ya, Buddy Joe Hooker, My dear friend Gene. When he entered the 1954 AAU National Judo championship as a lightly regarded 160-pound heavyweight, he pinned 1952 Pan American Games gold medalist Johnny Osako in his first match, then went on to win both his weight class as well as the overall tournament. The grappling club master . Nick Plantico, Congrats Gene!! According to a 2014 interview in Black Belt, LeBell had no idea the fight would be as significant as later developments in the sport of MMA have made it. Interview with Gene LeBell. This award is only given to a select few. Black Belt EXCLUSIVE. To succeed in the NFL, hell need to be an outlier among outliers. Michael Nesbitt, Congratulations, judo Gene LeBell Tony Epperson, Congratulations! Its about time. He has trained several notable students including Bruce Lee, Chuck Norris, and Ronda Rousey. You have given so much to our community and film business! 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. 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? According to the Hollywood Reporter, famed stunt performer Gene LeBell died on August 9 at the age of 89. His notable students include Rousey, WWE Hall of Famer Roddy Piper, and Chuck Norris, among others. LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA- Famous wrestler, Martial artist Ivan Gene LeBell better known as Gene LeBell, passes away at 89. In the martial arts, he captured the National A.A.U. I have grown up idolizing many of the SU members over the yearsGenes massive career and list of credits is insane. You are a true living legend! "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. Confidential (1997) Batman & Robin (1997), Rush Hour (1998), The Man on the Moon (1999) Men in Black II (2002), Spiderman 2 (2004), Starsky & Hutch (2004), Over his career, LeBell was bludgeoned, shot, run over, karate-chopped (he became friends with Bruce Lee) and drowned for $2,000 per week earning more than most lawyers during those days. He began training catch wrestling at age 7 with Ed "The Strangler" Lewis. Long overdue! 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. However, in his excitement Gene swung the title belt around his head, which accidentally hit one of the wrestling commissioners on the head, causing a nasty gash. "I learned the [LeBell Lock] from a guy named Neil Melanson," Danielson told the WWE website in 2010. Gene taught my three sons how to take every day life in the training under Gene. For a time, he took on a role as "policeman" for the organization, helping to maintain order. Ronnie and Mary Rondell, Congratulations Uncle Gene! I love you Gene and I am very proud of your accomplishments in our business. 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. Tim Gilbert, This tribute is well deserved. He was acquitted and continued performing stunts for the big and small screen, alike. In the the Quentin Tarantino film "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood", Bruce Lee was made to look as an arrogant martial arts actor. Im proud to be a friend of yours for over 50 years. 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 has also worked on over 1,000 films and TV shows and has authored 12 books. If I have seen further it has been by standing on the shoulders of giants like you!! Few people know the amount of time, energy, dedication, innovation , and pure love you have graced us with in your illustrious career! Allen Lopa, Congrats to a legend!! LeBells roots in combat sports ran deep. David would look at me glassy eyed and say No you dont! [citation needed], On March 23, 1991, LeBell was awarded the Honorary "Reel" Membership by the Ring of Friendship of the Cauliflower Alley Club. [25], LeBell has earned himself the nicknames "Judo" Gene LeBell, "the Godfather of Grappling" and also "the toughest man alive" for his participation in combat sports. [9], The match took place on December 2, 1963. I tried to get your son some work but hes always at the beach. LeBell!!! 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. [26], The pink colored judo gi became a trademark of LeBell and was a result of a laundry mixup while preparing for a competition in Japan. 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. 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. Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic both had 40-point games after the Sixers loss against the Mavs. Gene, I appreciate the things youve accomplished in life, and acknowledge your generosity to those you have helped to achieve theirs. 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. 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. Hollywood stuntman and martial artist Gene LeBell has died. 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.. I had a 2-stroke so i had to unload at an area specifiedthe 4-strokes rode the streets to the mountains and riding area.As i was driving my bike in my pick-up.Gene passed me standing on the seat of his XR doin a wheelieGene is an Amazing man.Open arms.. to a choke-out! UFC 285 Preview: Can Jon Jones Turn Back the Clock? Congratulations brother Gene!!! Mike Smith, Congratulations on this most deserving award for a really great guy. His mother, Aileen Eaton, promoted fights at the Olympic Auditorium and was the first woman inducted into the International Boxing Hall of . 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. At 12 LeBell took up judo. Beck engaged in abundant trash-talk, but revealed a very limited knowledge of martial arts, seemingly mistaking judo for karate. Gene LeBell is a legend in the world of MMA and Martial Arts. Bruce and I had a bond with the martial arts, and we would get together frequently. Brad Curran June 8, 2018 Interviews. 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. A pair of red shorts were mixed into the laundry that contained his Gi and turned the uniform a shade of pink. Congratulations Gene LeBell! There has also been rumors that the unconscious Seagal may have soiled himself. Best to You Gene !! Could James Harden Potentially Return to Houston After the Season? 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. AEW Revolution Preview, and Whats Going on With Brock, Bray, Bobby, and Omos? Lee was especially interested in exploring grappling with help from him and exchanged ideas[19] on various fighting techniques. In 2004, Gene Lebell was promoted to 10th degree black belt in those arts. [29], LeBell was arrested, charged with, and tried for the July 1976 murder of private investigator Robert Duke Hall. 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. Part of HuffPost Entertainment. Gene LeBell Record, Net Worth, Weight, Age & More. 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. 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. [9], Encouraged by Ed Parker,[8] LeBell accepted the challenge and travelled to Salt Lake City to meet Beck. 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? His very first match was against John Osako, one of the highest ranked judokas at the national level. [8], In 1963, LeBell became involved with a challenge by boxer and writer Jim Beck to the practitioners of Japanese martial arts. As a stuntman, Gene has worked on more than 1000 film and television projects during a career that has spanned over 50 years. 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. So happy for you. [2] He was born in Los Angeles. Whats legacy, anyway? 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. After winning amateur national competitions in judo, LeBell decided to make the switch to pro wrestling as it offered more lucrative earnings. [2] He worked on over 1,000 films and TV shows and authored 12 books. In addition to spending extensive time in the world of . He was a man that no endeavor was too tall for him to accomplish, Josh Barnett said of LeBell. LeBell has also worked on over 1,000 films and TV shows and has authored 12 books. (James C. Udel, Variety, 2018), A fight scene on the sitcom The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet earned LeBell his SAG card. God bless. I have ridden on the back of his bike for one of his marathon wheelies.Pine Mtn Club so much fun. It must be said at this stage that . Mary Karcz, Hi Gene, Id just like to Congratulate you on your receiving the Taurus Lifetime Achievement Award. Gene LeBell, the colorful judo champion, wrestler and stuntman who trained Bruce Lee, fought Elvis Presley and John Wayne in the movies and was an inspiration for Brad Pitt's character in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, has died.He was 89. 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. Gene was an actor and stuntman in Hollywood productions for over fifty years with more than 150 acting credits and 250 stunt credits. Way to go Uncle Gene!!! 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. Ill toast you from Texas! It is his 90th birthday and a celebration and memorial for him, Chivichyan said. Besides being a boxer, Milo Savage also had a background in wrestling. Bruce Lee's father Lee Hoi-chuen was a famous Cantonese opera singer based in Hong Kong. Neil Melanson is an American submission grappling coach. Not long after, he began training judo. 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. Wrestlers & MMA stars pay tribute to Gene LeBell. If you saw Quentin Tarantino's . The judoka and his team showed their sportsmanship by helping to revive Savage using kappo, as neither the referee nor the ring doctor knew how to resuscitate him. The godfather of modern grappling and a legitimate tough guy in his own right, LeBell. August 10, 2022 1:24pm. This is very much deserved. Gene LeBell's most famous match was his match with boxer/wrestler Milo Savage. 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. He sparred with James Cagney while shooting Blood on the Sun in 1945, allowing the famous actor to dominate the 20-minute skirmish which garnered rave reviews. Chuck Norris. Gene LeBell was promoted to 9th degree in jujitsu and taihojutsu in 2000 by the United States Ju-Jitsu (USJJF) Ju Jitsu Federation. 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. Judo Gene!!! Congratulations & we all love you. May we all continue to learn from you and strive to reach the heights youve reached. I love ya man. And later on, there is discussion of whether or not double-dipping is an acceptable way to eat! A long overdue, but well deserved award. 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. With respect, Missy OMalley-Reynolds, Uncle Gene, Thanks for never burning our house down. Ivan Gene LeBell (born October 9, 1932) is an American martial artist, instructor, stunt performer, and professional wrestler born in Los Angeles, California. Hardcover - January 1, 2004. In 1994, LeBell counted kickboxing champion Benny Urquidez and Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioners the Machado brothers among his training partners. On Sunday, Oct. 9, legendary martial artist and stuntman "Judo" Gene LeBell would have turned 90. 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. More embellished versions include details about Seagal defecating himself. You truly are a one-off, a living legend. (Gene LeBell Biography). I am so glad I was there Live to see it ! So, congratulation Gene LeBell from the Winburn families for receiving the Taurus Lifetime Achievement Award. LeBell was also hired for stunt work with Lee on The Green Hornet.. Gene LeBell won his weight class and the overall championship in 1955 as well. 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. Ronda Rousey, Bryan Danielson, and many more idolized the . Alan Oliney, Hey Gene, Thanks for being a four-star mentor to so many and thanks for being Gene Lebell. What are you doing? LeBell remembers the helmer lamenting. It is with a heavy heart that we recognize our past member and friend, Mr. Gene LeBell, has passed on. 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. (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. (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. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG). The late 'Judo' Gene LeBell's 90th birthday is celebrated by 200 friends, students, family LeBell's top student, Gokor Chivichyan, held the event at his martial arts academy, remembering a . Grand Master Gi Grappling by Gokor Chivichyan. (Gene LeBell Biography), LeBell transitioned from amateur to AAU national judo champ in 1954 and catapulted to national attention but as a pro wrestler, playing Hank the Hangman; he made a living by losing every match. Is Golden State a sleeping giant? Chris Pellitteri, Mr. Gene LeBell ; Thank you for your kindness and wisdom over the years. Challenge coins, decorated with an image of LeBell, were sold for donations, which raised more than $2,000. Its an honor to be your student and friend. You have definitely earned it for all your contributions to the industry. You are a true living legend. Why Are American Teens So Unhappy? Scott Wilder, Thank you Sensei for paving the way for martial artists in this biz! 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. Youre not only a legend to me but a great, great friend. A large frame surrounded a pink gi his signature judo uniform hung above a doorway leading to the training area. [17] Ultimately, nothing came from it. He taught fighters like Rowdy Roddy Piper, Chuck Norris, and Ronda Rousey how to grapple and regularly trained Bruce Lee. Jimmy Roberts, Gene youve always told me Im the best but your THE GREATEST Love ya, Manny Perry, I owe everything to Gene. 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 . A brief google of you name brings up pages and pages of awesome stories about what youve really accomplished in so many fields. [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. ", "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. Tanner Gill, Congrats Uncle Gene!! 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The Creed Franchise Has Stepped Out of Rockys Shadow at Last, With Sylvester Stallone removed from the equation, Creed III is the sternest test yet of Adonis Creeds appealand a new challenge for first-time director Michael B. Jordan, The Clock Is Already Ticking for Kyrie Irving and the Mavs, Dallas now has a costar alongside Luka Doncic but has precious little time to make it all work. A tribute to the late martial artist, stuntman, actor and pro wrestler Gene LeBell. When he arrived, Gene LeBell learned that he would not be fighting Beck, but instead a much more well-known boxer in Milo Savage. Gene LeBell was a man who lived a full and adventurous life. Born in Los Angeles in 1932, LeBell was shipped off to a military. Ian Avabe, You Rock a Master of all well deserved Si PJ Hooper Kelly, Congratulations Gene. Savanah Dawn Lilley, The one and only Uncle Gene! A industry standard, and great human being! I made very good money, and it led me into a career in stunt work.. [6], Ivan Gene LeBell was born in Los Angeles, California. Theres way too much to say to even begin to scratch the surface of the career and life Gene lived, wrote the Stuntmans Association of Motion Pictures in a statement to Variety. He was known by many as the "Godfather of Grappling," and influenced fighters around the world. Plus, Nadine Smith on the Agendas Behind Wrestling Documentaries. 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! Gene LeBell was born on October 9, 1932. LeBell was 89 years old. Gene's funeral will be private for immediate family only. Gene LeBell talks about Bruce Lee. He deserves this award. In a recent conversation with Bob Calhoun, the coauthor of LeBells autobiography The Godfather of Grappling, the judoka, then 87 years old, said he was surprised that Lee didnt try to counter me, so I think he was more surprised than anything else. In the years that followed, Lee worked with LeBell to incorporate grappling into his films, defeating Sammo Hung with an arm bar in Enter the Dragon and Chuck Norriswho would become another long-time collaborator of LeBellsvia chokehold in Way of the Dragon.
