With a background in judo and jiu-jitsu, LeBell was the mastermind behind some of the greatest fighters in the world. 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. Mike Massa, Congratulations Gene!! McCarthy, veteran actress Karen Black and legendary wrestling and martial arts teacher famous for Bruce Lee and Chuck Norris. Gene LeBell was a man who lived a full and adventurous life. Since Hayastan MMA Academy first opened its door, it has been one of the top gyms in the world. If I have seen further it has been by standing on the shoulders of giants like you!! Most of his notoriety came after the release of his biggest film, Enter the Dragon, that same year. 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. Why Are American Teens So Unhappy? Ivan Gene LeBell (October 9, 1932 - August 9, 2022) was an American martial artist, instructor, stunt performer, and professional wrestler. One day in. [10], The loss by Savage, the hometown favorite, caused the crowd to react violently. 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. Gene LeBell, who died on August 9 at age 89, led a life so expansive that any mere retelling of it would come across like a tall tale, the stuff of Pecos Bill and Paul Bunyanif all of it werent true. 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[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. 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. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him, especially us. So well deserved!! [4] LeBell appeared in three Elvis Presley movies as a minor character who starts a fight with the character played by Presley. 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. Are the Lakers dead? He was a Nevada and California Athletic Commission judge. 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. It is with a heavy heart that we recognize our past member and friend, Mr. Gene LeBell, has passed on. [30], LeBell and Ginsburgs were former friends and business partners of Hall. Two hundred of his friends, students, and family gathered at Hayastan MMA Academy in North. judo. He was born in Los Angeles, California. !Thanks for the memories!! It was agreed that the match would last five 3 three minute rounds. He was highly respected by many martial artists all over the world, and has been considered a ground breaker in many aspects of the art of grappling. On March 18, 1995, the Cauliflower Alley Club again honored LeBell by presenting him with the "Iron Mike Mazurki" award; presented by one of his teachers, legendary professional wrestling champion Lou Thesz. He worked on over 1,000 movies and wrote a dozen books. LeBell was selected from over 200 other applicants to referee the bout. [citation needed], On March 23, 1991, LeBell was awarded the Honorary "Reel" Membership by the Ring of Friendship of the Cauliflower Alley Club. (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. Sat 9th Apr 2022 19.30 BST. He has fought, trained and performed with a dizzying array of some of the most prolific athletes and actors in the world. LeBell is also a writer and has penned a dozen books on martial arts. Its about time!! Stoked I get to make it this year. #246C,Beverly, MA 01915,United States. 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. I was always jealous that you could ride a wheelie so much better than me. [7] In 1954 and 1955, while only 22 years of age, he captured both the heavyweight and overall Amateur Athletic Union National Judo Championships. A notable one was the 'Hot Rod' himself, 'Rowdy' Roddy Piper. LeBell was also hired for stunt work with Lee on The Green Hornet.. Mickey Gilbert, Ill never forget working with Gene in Minneapolis for David Ellis. Well deserved.- Bonnie Happy, Well deserved. I tried to get your son some work but hes always at the beach. 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. The seeds that Gene LeBell helped plant have grown into the modern landscape of mixed martial arts that we know today. Chuck & Charlotte Waters, Special man and amazing human being, so deserving of this recognition. [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. Love you brother congratulations! 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. 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. At four months old (April 1941), the Lee family returned to Hong Kong. if thirty people are watching, let them talk about it. 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. Gene LeBell in 2010 and with Lindsay Wagner on 'The Bionic Woman' in 1976 GI. So they said I could make good money in professional wrestling, which I did. Grand Master Leg Locks by Gokor Chivichyan. [8] Gene also wrestled under a black mask as The Hangman, teaming up with Roy Staggs. He is highly respected by many martial artists all over the world, and has . Gene LeBell had three children including stuntman son David LeBell and FBI agent daughter Monica LeBell Pandis. You always got the cool moves to Choke em Out .. stay healthy my friend .. Love, Troy Gilbert, Unreal. Wear this Award well my friend. But whats the legacy of the blockbuster album? Inside Hall's residence police discovered hours of wire-tapped recordings, some of which led to the resignation of the Beverly Hills police department chief of police. Whats different about the Sixers this year? The program featured several other martial artists including Graciela Casilas, Karen Sheperd, Victor Ledbetter, Steve Sanders, brothers Benny and Reuben Urquidez, and Dave Vaden. The toughest man alive by Gene LeBell . 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! 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. Mike Bohn. The only thing I have against MMA is they dont have a retirement plan. Oliver Lee Bateman is a journalist and sports historian who lives in Pittsburgh. 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. Nick Plantico, Congrats Gene!! LeBell's longtime friend Bas Rutten first revealed the news on Facebook. 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 guys in the business. Sometimes Steven has a tendency to cheese off the wrong people, and you can get hurt doing that. Proud to be your friend! I have ridden on the back of his bike for one of his marathon wheelies.Pine Mtn Club so much fun. An incredible life being rightfully recognized. You deserve every bit of it! This award is only given to a select few. Big hug and a kiss! 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. Our aim is to create a shop for BJJ Students who don't look at Jiu-Jitsu as a sport - but a lifestyle. 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. 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. He taught fighters like Rowdy Roddy Piper, Chuck Norris, and Ronda Rousey how to grapple and regularly trained Bruce Lee. 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 is loved by so many and admired by countless others. Interview with Gene LeBell. Challenge coins, decorated with an image of LeBell, were sold for donations, which raised more than $2,000. His career bore that out. He would also occasionally wrestle in a disguise as The Hangman. 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! Plus, Nadine Smith on the Agendas Behind Wrestling Documentaries. He is currently 89 years old. Karl Gotch. LeBell helped Seagal up. Gene LeBell heard about the proclamation and decided to take Seagal up on the challenge. 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. In 2004, Gene Lebell was promoted to 10th degree black belt in those arts. LeBell has made himself the nicknames "Judo" Gene LeBell, "The Godfather of Grappling" and also "The Toughest Man Alive" for his . 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. He began training catch wrestling at age 7 with Ed "The Strangler" Lewis. LeBell recalled in his 2005 autobiography, The Godfather of Grappling meeting Lee on the set of The Green Hornet TV series. Gene LeBell in 2010 and with Lindsay Wagner on 'The Bionic Woman' in 1976 GI. This match could be argued to be the first televised MMA match in history. thank you so much for all the encouragement over all these decades . Gene LeBell Record, Net Worth, Weight, Age & More. How Do We Solve This Crisis? [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. whose residence contained hours of phone recordings, was acquitted on a murder charge but convicted and sentenced to probation as an accessory, Bryan Danielson Is the Best Hes Ever Been According to Bryan Danielson, Jon Joness Last Stand, Wembys Ceiling, Jokic Backlash, and UFOs With Ariel Helwani and Chuck Klosterman. He is the greatest!! OSU! Hans Gutknecht has been a photojournalist at the Los Angeles Daily News since 1992. LeBell earned the upset win via an osaekomi. According to the Hollywood Reporter, famed stunt performer Gene LeBell died on August 9 at the age of 89. [7][10] Savage even attempted to sweep the judoka in one instance. At 12 LeBell took up judo. 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. Gary Davis, So awesome!!! Craig Frosty Silva, Gene LeBell What can anybody tell you about Gene LeBell? Congrats Rick Avery, Congratulations Uncle Gene! [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. 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. 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. Lewis, Friendship is born at the moment when one person says to another: What! 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. Youre not only a legend to me but a great, great friend. Congratulations very well deserved! After his mother remarried, LeBell was raised near L.A.s old Olympic Auditorium. Influential combat sports icon "Judo" Gene LeBell has died at 89. People gather to celebrate the life of Judo Gene LeBell on what would have been his 90th birthday at Hayastan MMA Academy in North Hollywood Sunday, October 9, 2022. God bless. 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. Enjoyed reading about Gene Lebell? The Toughest Man Alive. The tributes for "Judo" Gene LeBell, who died on August 9, 2022, at age 89, poured in after news of his passing starting circulating. 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. Gene LeBell's net worth is estimated to be approximately $6 million dollars. You were a better reference than SAG! "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. Mary Karcz, Hi Gene, Id just like to Congratulate you on your receiving the Taurus Lifetime Achievement Award. 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. At the insistence of friend and martial artist, Ed Parker, Gene LeBell accepted the challenge match and travelled to Utah to fight Beck. In February 2005, the USJJF made him 9th dan in judo. 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 . 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. Still working on the Pro Wrestling Finishing Holds book techniques to this day! In December 1939, his parents went to Chinatown, San Francisco in California for an international opera tour. 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. 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. Its great having such a role model to look up to. LeBell served as the inspiration for Brad Pitt's character in Quentin Tarantino's "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.. Being 63 years old, LeBell declined to compete or to send a representative, instead suggesting a match against Royce's 82-year-old father, the renowned Hlio Gracie.