The belt was immediately seized from the shocked Gene, which in later years would cause him to comment, Well, at least I was the champ for 12 seconds and I retired as champion. (Gene LeBell Biography), Gene went on to fight numerous opponents over the years including practitioners from other fighting arts that scoffed at Genes prowess, however they learned the hard way that Genes superb grappling skills were the real deal. Born in Los Angeles in 1932, LeBell was shipped off to a military. Judo is wrestling with handles, he told Black Belt magazine in 1994. Gene LeBell, also known as 'Judo Gene LeBell' is best known for, you guessed it, judo. Gene LeBell, Famed Stuntman and "Godfather of Grappling," Dies at 89 Then consider checking: 100 Cummings Ctr. Hardcover - January 1, 2004. Beck engaged in a great deal of pre-fight trash talk, but it was clear that he had very little knowledge of Japanese martial arts even going as far as confusing traditional judo for karate. His death was announced by Kellie Cunningham, his trustee and business manager, who did not. 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. Whether through his chokes or his jokes, Gene LeBell has been an inspiration for more people than he will ever realize. He is a two time AAU National Judo Champion and he was a professional wrestling world heavyweight champion . Blessed if you know him, crazy fun guy. Known by many as "the Godfather of Grappling", LeBell helped make the grappling arts like Judo, Wrestling, and Jiu Jitsu popular in professional fighting circles. Congratulations Uncle Gene! Gene LeBell had three children including stuntman son David LeBell and FBI . To his surprise, he learned his opponent would not be Beck but a higher regarded boxer, Milo Savage, who also had a background in amateur wrestling. Chris Pellitteri, Mr. Gene LeBell ; Thank you for your kindness and wisdom over the years. For 89 years, few did that work better than Judo Gene LeBell. I feel honored to say Ive never been choked out by the legend Gene LaBellI consider you a true friend. He worked on over 1,000 movies and wrote a dozen books. They all grew up to be great young men, James is a newspaper writer for various companies, David is a Federal Police Officer and Matthew is an accountant and they all, always talk about the days they train under Gene. Joseph Davis, Gene is truly a genuine Good person and a great friend. Steven Seagal was a highly trained aikido expert and because of this, he would proclaim to the world that he was immune to choking. 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!!! There is no one alive on this planet that deserves this Life Time Achievement Award more than you. 'The Godfather of Grappling' evolved to be a popular figure in the martial arts world after he extended to various other forms of sports, including judo and mixed martial arts. Gene LeBell is currently married to Wendy LeBell whom he married in 1977. He was born in Los Angeles, California. Im proud to be a friend of yours for over 50 years. Gene Lebell, who had an acting and stunt career that stretched from The Adventures of Ozzie . [31], On August 9, 2022, LeBell died in his sleep.[32][33]. LeBell was selected from over 200 other applicants to referee the bout. I feel really fortunate to have had him as a part of my life as it is, and really glad to also been able to tell him what an amazing human being, and what an amazing martial artist, he was straight to his face.. LeBell was also hired for stunt work with Lee on The Green Hornet.. 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. [7], LeBell was requested to confirm the story publicly in an interview with Ariel Helwani in 2012, but he avoided answering the question, albeit implying that the incident was true. He was seen in Rousey's corner during matches and celebrated her victories with her. August 18 | 2022. blackbeltmag.com. Gary Goltz. Ivan Gene LeBell (born October 9, 1932) is an American martial artist, instructor, stunt performer, and professional wrestler born in Los Angeles, California. Influential combat sports icon "Judo" Gene LeBell has died at 89. Ivan "Judo" Gene LeBell (October 9, 1932 - August 9, 2022) was an American martial artist, stunt performer, actor, and professional wrestler. Its about time. He is loved by so many and admired by countless others. Gene LeBell was born on October 9, 1932. ( Aubrey Sitterson, rondarousey.com, 2018). (James C. Udel, Variety, 2018), A fight scene on the sitcom The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet earned LeBell his SAG card. He worked on over 1,000 movies and wrote a dozen books. 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. The Bahamas Wrestling Association: Black Wrestling and the Birth of a Nation. It has been an honor to work with you ,and see how much you have done, over the years. Hey Gene which way to the Beach? Some of his most famous students were, Ronda Rousey, Sugar Ray Robinson,. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG), Former UFC Champion and WWE star Ronda Rousey talks 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. Afterwards, attracted by better potential earnings and the family's legacy in the business, LeBell transitioned to professional wrestling. 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. LeBell has also worked on over 1,000 films and TV shows and has authored 12 books. His first match would be against the highly ranked judoka John Osako. "The great Gene Lebell, toughest man I know, has passed away and left us at the age of 89," Rutten wrote. LeBells wrestling fortunes variedhis brother Mike told Sports Illustrated in 1995 that he had fired Gene on several occasions, noting that sometimes even I thought he was crazybut his career continued its upward trajectory as he moved into the Hollywood stunt work that would see him participating in thousands of projects over the years. 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). Well deserved. You have been a legend for over 60 years and Im honored each month that I get to see you!!!! [29], LeBell was arrested, charged with, and tried for the July 1976 murder of private investigator Robert Duke Hall. Norman Howell, Congratulations Gene LeBell an incredible Honor an so well deserved. 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. 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 . 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! To succeed in the NFL, hell need to be an outlier among outliers. It couldnt go to a better man. You don't earn the nickname 'Judo' without knowing a thing or two about combat; just ask Steven Seagal. 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. Thank you Gene for your friendship over the decades. The late 'Judo' Gene LeBell's 90th birthday is celebrated by 200 LeBell helped Seagal up. 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. LeBell has also worked on over 1,000 films and TV shows and has authored 12 books. Neil Melanson Gene LeBell - Age, Bio, Faces and Birthday This is his wish, to do this, and I promised him that Im going to do this on his birthday, and I keep my promise today.. LeBell established himself as a martial artist long before he moved to Hollywood. !Thanks for the memories!! Instead of being hit first, it was LeBell who would put Bruce Lee in a headlock and carry him around the set. 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? Enjoyed reading about Gene Lebell? Gene LeBell, 89, Judo Champion, Wrestler and Star Stuntman, Dies As soon as he landed, LeBell used a foot sweep to sweep Seagal off the floor, with Seagal landing on his back. [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. LeBell served as the inspiration for Brad Pitt's character in Quentin Tarantino's "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.. McCarthy, veteran actress Karen Black and legendary wrestling and martial arts teacher famous for Bruce Lee and Chuck Norris. It wasnt exactly an elite-level boxer facing down a grappler, but it did offer a variation on the Ultimate Fighting Championship model that LeBells long-time acquaintances, the Gracie family, would partner with Bob Meyrowitz to launch in 1993right down to the initial audience confusion and cautious feeling-out process between the athletes.
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