[9], Encouraged by Ed Parker,[8] LeBell accepted the challenge and travelled to Salt Lake City to meet Beck. It has been an honor to work with you ,and see how much you have done, over the years. thank you so much for all the encouragement over all these decades . To this day you are still teaching and sharing your wealth of knowledge with the next generation! [4] LeBell appeared in three Elvis Presley movies as a minor character who starts a fight with the character played by Presley. Enjoyed reading about Gene Lebell? 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. [9], The match took place on December 2, 1963. Gregg Smrz, So well deserved! Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic both had 40-point games after the Sixers loss against the Mavs. 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. Alan Oliney, Hey Gene, Thanks for being a four-star mentor to so many and thanks for being Gene Lebell. He deserves this award. 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. You truly are a one-off, a living legend. [7][8] In return, Savage offered to wear a judogi. The toughest man alive by Gene LeBell . 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. Gene has trained with numerous other world champion martial artists includingChuck Norris,Bill Wallace, andBenny Urquidez. Plus, Nadine Smith on the Agendas Behind Wrestling Documentaries. 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. J.N. Gene LeBell was promoted to 9th degree in jujitsu and taihojutsu in 2000 by the United States Ju-Jitsu (USJJF) Ju Jitsu Federation. 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. For LeBell, one martial art naturally flowed into another; they were already mixing together in his curious mind. (Gene LeBell Biography), Born in Los Angeles in 1932, LeBell was shipped off to a military school at age 6 by his full-time working mom after his father died in a surfing accident. A pioneer of martial arts, he lived a long and fascinating life. You are a true living legend. After his mother remarried, LeBell was raised near L.A.s old Olympic Auditorium. Along with the awards received for feats in judo and grappling, LeBell was the 2005 recipient of the Frank Gotch Award in celebration of the positive recognition he brought to the sport of wrestling. He is the greatest!! Along the way, his list of big-name collaborators, students, and opponents became as packed as his CV; in addition to Lee, . Instructed through brutal tutorials by professional wrestlers and old-school masters, he developed adult skills by 13. At the insistence of friend and martial artist, Ed Parker, Gene LeBell accepted the challenge match and travelled to Utah to fight Beck. Oliver Lee Bateman is a journalist and sports historian who lives in Pittsburgh. [8], After returning to the United States, LeBell competed as a heavyweight. "[22] After being asked whether he was not going to directly confirm it, LeBell said: "Well, if thirty people are watching, let them talk about it. OSU! Sometimes Steven has a tendency to cheese off the wrong people, and you can get hurt doing that. LeBell was still teaching grappling and doing stunts in his 70s. [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. It was Beck's contention that a boxer would be able to defeat any martial artist in a fight and he put up $1000 to anyone who defeat the boxer in this challenge match. It goes to a great man of strength, integrity and honor. The Cauliflower Alley Club presented the award. 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. Bryan Danielson's LeBell Lock was named after the legendary grappler. Gene LeBell Did It All 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. He is currently the head grappling coach at Jaco Hybrid Training Center.He is the former head grappling coach at both . He taught fighters like Rowdy Roddy Piper, Chuck Norris, and Ronda Rousey how to grapple and regularly trained Bruce Lee. 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. In 2000, the United States Ju-Jitsu Federation (USJJF) promoted him to 9th Dan in jujitsu and taihojutsu. Not long after, he began training judo. Lou Thesz. Its about time!! Hamstrung by rules barring takedowns, strikes on the ground, and submission holds, the fight devolved into a tedious 15-round affair in which Ali taunted and showboated while Inoki crab-walked along the mat, kicking Alis legs. 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. 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. 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. Martial Art: Take a wild guess.Notable Achievements: "Judo" Gene LeBell has arguably the most impressive MMA resume of anyone on this list, and His talent in his field was known worldwide and those that got to know him knew he had a heart that matched that talent, the groups statement added. LeBell even awarded Piper a legitimate Black Belt in Judo . [20], LeBell also appeared in "The World of Martial Arts Budojujitsu". LeBell served as the referee for the exhibition match between world heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali and Antonio Inoki on June 26, 1976, at . On August 7, 2004, the World Martial Arts Masters Association promoted him to 10th degree. Ivan Gene LeBell (born October 9, 1932) is an American martial artist, instructor, stunt performer, and professional wrestler born in Los Angeles, California. Freddy Bouceigues, No one deserves this more then you uncle Gene. He is highly respected by many martial artists all over the world, and has . LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA- Famous wrestler, Martial artist Ivan Gene LeBell better known as Gene LeBell, passes away at 89. Instead of being hit first, it was LeBell who would put Bruce Lee in a headlock and carry him around the set. 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. RIP Gene LeBell - Part II. He worked on over 1,000 movies and wrote a dozen books. 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. Beck claimed that a boxer could defeat any martial artist in a straight fight and offered $1000 to anyone who could prove otherwise. A tribute to the late martial artist, stuntman, actor and pro wrestler Gene LeBell. [8], In 1963, LeBell became involved with a challenge by boxer and writer Jim Beck to the practitioners of Japanese martial arts. To succeed in the NFL, hell need to be an outlier among outliers. 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. Love ya, Buddy Joe Hooker, My dear friend Gene. 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.. 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. LeBell also worked on over 1,000 movies and TV shows [1] and authored 12 books. Gene LeBell Record, Net Worth, Weight, Age & More. Bob Debbie Hennessey, Congrats Gene. Gene LeBell was born on October 09, 1932 in Los Angeles, California, United States, is Stunts, Actor, Miscellaneous Crew. 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. Interview with Gene LeBell. Congratulations very well deserved! Gene was an actor and stuntman in Hollywood productions for over fifty years with more than 150 acting credits and 250 stunt credits. Congratulations Gene. 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. The program featured several other martial artists including Graciela Casilas, Karen Sheperd, Victor Ledbetter, Steve Sanders, brothers Benny and Reuben Urquidez, and Dave Vaden. While working at the stunt coordinator for Seagal's film Out for Justice, the two of them met to test Seagal's statement. After his competitive career, Gene LeBell would go on to become a martial arts instructor, a professional wrestler, stunt performer and actor in Los Angeles. Judo is wrestling with handles, he told Black Belt magazine in 1994. God bless. Will Bowman, Well deserved! 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. Please enter a valid email and try again. [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. There he found quick success. Proud to be your friend! Gene LeBell had thousands of students over the years. At four months old (April 1941), the Lee family returned to Hong Kong. You are a true living legend! Other recordings discovered had ties to the presidential campaign of Richard Nixon. LeBell's longtime friend Bas Rutten first revealed the news on Facebook. [2] He worked on over 1,000 films and TV shows and authored 12 books. All my love and respect Pat Romano, Ya ya Uncle Gene , to one of the Gilberts favorite people . [12] Finally, he performed a left harai goshi in the fourth round and followed by locking a rear naked choke. 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. Bruce and I had a bond with the martial arts, and we would get together frequently. Gene LeBell has three children Monica, Danny, and David. The grappling club master . It was a fascinating collection of people mourning too, from the world of pro wrestling, mixed martial arts, acting, and beyond. In 2004, Gene Lebell was promoted to 10th degree black belt in those arts. God Bless you Gene and your lovely wife and thanks you for all the things you taught me. He taught me how to fight, taught me how to ride. However, Tarantino disputes this claim. I love you Gene and I am very proud of your accomplishments in our business. Heavyweight and Overall Judo Championships in 1954, and again in 1955 - long before Judo became an Olympic sport and was broadly appreciated in the western world. So, congratulation Gene LeBell from the Winburn families for receiving the Taurus Lifetime Achievement Award. 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! 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 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. Best to You Gene !! LeBell is also a writer and has penned a dozen books on martial arts. 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. 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. Neil Melanson He is currently 89 years old. You always tried to get me to go dirt biking with you but I never gave in. Thank you Gene for your friendship over the decades. We are all so proud of you, youre a legend. 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. Within seconds, Savage fell unconscious and LeBell was declared the winner.

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