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. Thank you, Mr. LeBell! His mother, Aileen Eaton, was a promoter at the Olympic Auditorium in Los Angeles, where she promoted boxing and wrestling events and raised Gene and his brother Mike all by her lonesome. He is highly respected by many martial artists all over the world, and has . Congrats my friend and God Bless. Well deserved. Nicknamed "The Godfather of Grappling", he popularized grappling in professional fighting circles, serving as a precursor to modern mixed martial arts. He believed in me which made me believe in myself. 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. Seagal, a towering man who had a background in the Japanese martial art of aikido, has long battled with stunt choreographers and fight trainers on setin Shooters, Jonathan Snowden quotes Pride announcer Stephen Quadross story of engaging in an uncomfortable series of wristlock exchanges with Seagal on the set of the 2001 film Exit Woundsbut by most accounts (and there are many), his encounter with LeBell went poorly. Blessed if you know him, crazy fun guy. 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.. [10], The loss by Savage, the hometown favorite, caused the crowd to react violently. However, Tarantino disputes this claim. The Cauliflower Alley Club presented the award. 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. For 89 years, few did that work better than Judo Gene LeBell. Ivan "Judo" Gene LeBell (October 9, 1932 - August 9, 2022) was an American martial artist, stunt performer, actor, and professional wrestler. 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. Congratulations Gene Eric Norris, Gene LeBell is my hero and always has been. Love, Greg & Barbie Barnett, Youve been my hero my entire career. It hurt. LeBell served as the referee for the exhibition match between world heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali and Antonio Inoki on June 26, 1976, at . Congratulations Gene. 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. If I could get my arms around you I would hug you. [citation needed] In addition he also worked on the set of the Green Hornet TV show, in which he developed a friendship with Bruce Lee. 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. Featuring "Judo" Gene LeBell's champion student "The Armenian Assassin" Gokor Chivichyan and friends." . Its about time!! He popularized grappling in pro-fighting circles and had a famous run-in with Steven Seagal. Gene LeBell is a legend in the world of MMA and Martial Arts. It goes to a great man of strength, integrity and honor. I tried to get your son some work but hes always at the beach. Gene LeBell would ultimately choke his opponent unconscious after a tentative start to the match. He began training catch wrestling at age 7 with Ed "The Strangler" Lewis. Jimmy Roberts, Gene youve always told me Im the best but your THE GREATEST Love ya, Manny Perry, I owe everything to Gene. This match could be argued to be the first televised MMA match in history. [7][8] In return, Savage offered to wear a judogi. There has also been rumors that the unconscious Seagal may have soiled himself. Confused by William Beaudines direction, LeBell ended up being chomped by a 700-pound bear named Victor. LeBell passed away on Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022, just two months shy of being a nonagenarian. 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). In 1954, at the age of 20, Gene won the National Heavyweight Judo Championshi and the USA Overall Judo championship title. [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. However, Gene LeBell was a 10th degree judo black belt and one of the toughest men on the planet, so the director knew this wouldn't happen to him. On Sunday, Oct. 9, legendary martial artist and stuntman "Judo" Gene LeBell would have turned 90. 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. Nick Plantico, Congrats Gene!! A pioneer of martial arts, he lived a long and fascinating life. I have grown up idolizing many of the SU members over the yearsGenes massive career and list of credits is insane. Judo Gene LeBell the Godfather of Grappling was both a renowned ex-world champion in both wrestling/judo, and one of Hollywoods busiest stuntmen. An agreement was reached for the match to last five rounds, each lasting three minutes. 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. 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, also known as 'Judo Gene LeBell' is best known for, you guessed it, judo. LeBell has also worked on over 1,000 films and TV shows and has authored 12 books. In addition to spending extensive time in the world of . As a stuntman, Gene has worked on more than 1000 film and television projects during a career that has spanned over 50 years. Savanah Dawn Lilley, The one and only Uncle Gene! A industry standard, and great human being! After, my arms were trembling with strain, you told me to stop and smiled at me, and said kid, dont quit your day job. He worked in. Gene LeBell would become involved in a challenge match proposed by boxer and writer Jim Beck to all practitioners of Japanese martial arts. 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. 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. He was known by many as the Godfather of Grappling, and influenced fighters around the world. After his competitive career, Gene LeBell and his brother Mike would run the National Wrestling Alliance's Los Angeles region between 1968 and 1982. LeBell died in his sleep early Tuesday morning at his home in Sherman Oaks, his trustee and business manager, Kellie Cunningham, told The Hollywood Reporter. 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. So may you rest in power, Gene.. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. [8], In 1963, LeBell became involved with a challenge by boxer and writer Jim Beck to the practitioners of Japanese martial arts. Congratulations & we all love you. Born in Los Angeles in 1932, LeBell was shipped off to a military. The Bahamas Wrestling Association: Black Wrestling and the Birth of a Nation. AEW, Triple H & WWE acknowledged LeBell's influence. 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 is also a writer and has penned a dozen books on martial arts. Stuntman Gene LeBell might not have been around since Hollywood's first fist fight, but his skill has transformed the genre. You truly are a one-off, a living legend. Despite his martial arts credentials, LeBell did not immediately connect with wrestling audiences. Craig Hosking, Congratulations Gene you are a legend! (James C. Udel, Variety, 2018). Bruce and I had a bond with the martial arts, and we would get together frequently. Freddy Bouceigues, No one deserves this more then you uncle Gene. To this day you are still teaching and sharing your wealth of knowledge with the next generation! thank you so much for all the encouragement over all these decades . Ronnie and Mary Rondell, Congratulations Uncle Gene! A pair of red shorts were mixed into the laundry that contained his Gi and turned the uniform a shade of pink. Bruce Lee's father Lee Hoi-chuen was a famous Cantonese opera singer based in Hong Kong. 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. 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. I was always jealous that you could ride a wheelie so much better than me. I love ya man. Besides being a boxer, Milo Savage also had a background in wrestling. Gene LeBell's net worth is estimated to be approximately $6 million dollars. Martial Art: Take a wild guess.Notable Achievements: "Judo" Gene LeBell has arguably the most impressive MMA resume of anyone on this list, and It is his 90th birthday and a celebration and memorial for him, Chivichyan said. LeBell also worked on over 1,000 movies and TV shows [1] and authored 12 books. A student of catch wrestling titans Lou Thesz, Karl Gotch, and Ed "Strangler" Lewis, LeBell's notable students include Bruce Lee, Chuck Norris, Benny "The Jet" Urquidez, "Rowdy" Roddy Piper and Ronda Rousey. After his mother remarried, LeBell was raised near L.A.s old Olympic Auditorium. At 12 LeBell took up judo. Roberts, Nobody in the world more respected!! His death was announced by Kellie Cunningham, his trustee and business manager, who did not. I am so glad I was there Live to see it ! Well done sir! This scene is loosely based on world class Judoka Gene LeBell . We worked out about 10 to 12 times at his place in Los Angeles Chinatown and at my place.. G-E-N-E Capital-L-E-Capital-B-E-L-L. . And Thank You for all those Decals and Patches you sent Charlotte and I each Christmas. We love him! He was born there on November 27, 1940, making him a dual Hong Kong and United States citizen by birth. He taught me how to fight, taught me how to ride. LeBell's conviction for being an accessory was later overturned by the California Courts of Appeal. Lewis, Friendship is born at the moment when one person says to another: What! 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. As wellback in the day..i drove out to ride motos with Gene & some friends at his area in Frazier Park. [7][8], Following his combat sports career, LeBell, along with his brother Mike, ran the National Wrestling Alliance's Los Angeles territory, NWA Hollywood Wrestling, from 1968 to 1982. 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. Well deserved !!! They knew each other and worked together on the Green Hornet. Along the way, he trained scores of future greats in a variety of disciplines, from Rowdy Roddy Piper in wrestling to Rowdy Ronda Rousey in judo (she, too, eventually wound up in the wrestling business), and even managed to extricate himself from being convicted in the 1976 murder of a private detective who had been digging up dirt on a host of California notables. Allen Lopa, Congrats to a legend!! (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. Stoked I get to make it this year. Its great having such a role model to look up to. [4] LeBell appeared in three Elvis Presley movies as a minor character who starts a fight with the character played by Presley. Whats legacy, anyway? Plus, Nadine Smith on the Agendas Behind Wrestling Documentaries. Instructed through brutal tutorials by professional wrestlers and old-school masters, he developed adult skills by 13. It has been alleged that at some point LeBell heard about the claim and gave Seagal the opportunity to prove it. On the day of the match, Savage appeared wearing a karategi instead, much tighter and harder to grab. 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. LeBell accompanied Ronda Rousey to the cage for some of her MMA matches in recent years, and served as a MMA judge through 2018. Over the course of this six-decade career, LeBell had a hand in training many prominent players in the entertainment, wrestling, and MMA worlds. In 2000, the United States Ju-Jitsu Federation (USJJF) promoted him to 9th Dan in jujitsu and taihojutsu. He went on to win the both the Heavyweight and overall champion title 1955 as well. He taught fighters like Rowdy Roddy Piper, Chuck Norris, and Ronda Rousey how to grapple and regularly trained Bruce Lee. Norman Howell, Congratulations Gene LeBell an incredible Honor an so well deserved. His career bore that out. 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. The seeds that Gene LeBell helped plant have grown into the modern landscape of mixed martial arts that we know today. People called him the Toughest Man Alive. 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. Bottles, chairs, and other debris were thrown into the ring. When he arrived, Gene LeBell learned that he would not be fighting Beck, but instead a much more well-known boxer in Milo Savage. AEW Revolution Preview, and Whats Going on With Brock, Bray, Bobby, and Omos? The pictures above are from the TV show Fall Guy and I told Gene I didnt want to hit him on the bike and he said I dont want you to hit me eitheryou may hurt yourself. Congratulations Gene, you earned this award and no one in this world is taking it away from the Toughest man Alive. Jack Gill. Im honored to know you! August 10, 2022 1:24pm. Within seconds, Savage fell unconscious and LeBell was declared the winner. LeBell demonstrated the choke hold by putting it on Seagal. Neil Melanson Christian Fletcher, Congratulations Gene! In any case, LeBell was back to work in the movies almost immediately, adding to the movie residuals and Screen Actors Guildbacked retirement that sustained him in his later years. A lot of fighters are broke. You can follow him on Twitter (@MoustacheClubUS) and read more of his work at www.oliverbateman.com. 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. Brad Curran June 8, 2018 Interviews. Why Are American Teens So Unhappy? The toughest man alive by Gene LeBell . It will be donated to St. Jude Childrens Hospital, Southern California, in honor of LeBell. Gene LeBell in 2010 and with Lindsay Wagner on 'The Bionic Woman' in 1976 GI. He would also occasionally wrestle in a disguise as The Hangman. Gene LeBell was chosen for the match out of over 200 candidates. Awesome Steve Picerni. LeBell judged fights for several decades, but retired from it after Golden Boy Promotions: Liddell vs. Ortiz 3 on November 24, 2018. Cheers! In 1994, LeBell counted kickboxing champion Benny Urquidez and Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioners the Machado brothers among his training partners. He has trained several notable students including Bruce Lee, Chuck Norris, and Ronda Rousey. '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. Michael Nesbitt, Congratulations, judo Gene LeBell Tony Epperson, Congratulations! A professional stuntman and actor, LeBell appeared in over 1,000 films and TV shows, and authored 12 books. [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. [2] He worked on over 1,000 films and TV shows and authored 12 books. 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. American judoka and martial arts instructor (19322022), "The Hangman (wrestler)" redirects here. 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.. 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. 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. Whats different about the Sixers this year? 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. Love ya, Buddy Joe Hooker, My dear friend Gene. Instead of being hit first, it was LeBell who would put Bruce Lee in a headlock and carry him around the set. Voters will soon get a say, As Adderall shortage continues, DEA plans to limit some telemedicine prescriptions, House where JonBenet Ramsey was found dead listed for sale for almost $7M, Columbia University permanently drops SAT, ACT admissions requirement, The Waterbed Doctor: California retailer lays claim to retro bed with nearly 40 years of service, sales, Felonious Florida podcast: Missing teenage girl leads to several cases of child sex trafficking, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. The godfather of modern grappling and a legitimate tough guy in his own right, LeBell. He is currently the head grappling coach at Jaco Hybrid Training Center.He is the former head grappling coach at both . It is alleged that as soon as LeBell placed his arms around Seagal's neck and Seagal said "go" that LeBell choked him unconscious. You deserve every bit of it! I have always been inspired by this quality in you Uncle Gene and I cherish the memories of the many great experiences we have had together. He was a Nevada and California Athletic Commission judge. [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. To prevent a full-blown riot, hometown hero and rated professional boxer Jay Fullmer (brother of boxers Gene and Don Fullmer) entered the ring to congratulate LeBell. Steven Seagal was a highly trained aikido expert and because of this, he would proclaim to the world that he was immune to choking. More embellished versions include details about Seagal defecating himself. Muhammad Ali. Grand Master Leg Locks by Gokor Chivichyan. 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. Way to go Uncle Gene!!! Are the Lakers dead? OSU! Chris Pellitteri, Mr. Gene LeBell ; Thank you for your kindness and wisdom over the years. You have been a legend for over 60 years and Im honored each month that I get to see you!!!! Neil Melanson is an American submission grappling coach. Sugar Ray Robinson. In the martial arts, he captured the National A.A.U. 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.
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