Gene LeBell would become involved in a challenge match proposed by boxer and writer Jim Beck to all practitioners of Japanese martial arts. Chuck Norris. 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. Gene LeBell, Famed Stuntman and "Godfather of Grappling," Dies at 89 His notable students include Rousey, WWE Hall of Famer Roddy Piper, and Chuck Norris, among others. 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. In addition to his judo background, LeBell has an extensive background in submission grappling and catch wrestling, and has trained under Lou Thesz, Karl Gotch and Ed "Strangler" Lewis. Gene LeBell was a man who lived a full and adventurous life. Stoked I get to make it this year. 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. A tribute to the late martial artist, stuntman, actor and pro wrestler Gene LeBell. While working at the stunt coordinator for Seagal's film Out for Justice, the two of them met to test Seagal's statement. RIP Gene LeBell - Part II. 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. As wellback in the day..i drove out to ride motos with Gene & some friends at his area in Frazier Park. 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. When he arrived, Gene LeBell learned that he would not be fighting Beck, but instead a much more well-known boxer in Milo Savage. He started training in catch wrestling and boxing from his early childhood, influenced by his mother, "Red Head" Aileen Eaton, a promoter of both sports who owned the Olympic Auditorium in Los Angeles. For 89 years, few did that work better than Judo Gene LeBell. 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 served as the inspiration for Brad Pitt's character in Quentin Tarantino's "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.. 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. 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. Gene LeBell | Profile with News, Stats, Age & Height - Sports Pundit You truly are a one-off, a living legend. 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. The Toughest Man Alive. Mike Smith, Congratulations on this most deserving award for a really great guy. Ivan Gene LeBell (October 9, 1932 - August 9, 2022) was an American martial artist, instructor, stunt performer, and professional wrestler. Gene LeBell was born on October 9, 1932. An additional stipulation prevented LeBell from attempting tackles or takedowns under the waist. Thank you for all you have done for those of us blessed to learn from you. Gene LeBell died in his sleep on August 9 th 22, at age 89, two months to the day shy of his 90 th birthday. LeBell was the third man inside the ring of one of the most famous matches in Japanese history and one that had worldwide attention. Judo is wrestling with handles, he told Black Belt magazine in 1994. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG), Martial artist Bas Rutten poses 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. . AEW, Triple H & WWE acknowledged LeBell's influence. Still, he continued to get regular stunt work on TV. They knew each other and worked together on the Green Hornet. LeBell also worked on over 1,000 movies and TV shows [1] and authored 12 books. Congrats my friend and God Bless. Brandon Recor, Congratulations!!! A pair of red shorts were mixed into the laundry that contained his Gi and turned the uniform a shade of pink. Congratulations my brother!!! Ed Lewis. I wont say rest easy because we just dont see that happening with Gene. August 10, 2022 11:30 am ET. 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. Gene LeBell would ultimately choke his opponent unconscious after a tentative start to the match. He popularized grappling in pro-fighting circles and had a famous run-in with Steven Seagal. I have ridden on the back of his bike for one of his marathon wheelies.Pine Mtn Club so much fun. He had spent time in Japan training at the Kodokan. Gene LeBell - Age, Bio, Faces and Birthday Ivan Gene LeBell (born October 9, 1932) is an American martial artist, instructor, stunt performer, and professional wrestler born in Los Angeles, California. Gene LeBell in 2010 and with Lindsay Wagner on 'The Bionic Woman' in 1976 GI. He won the Amateur Athletic Union National Judo Championships in 1954 and 1955 when he was 22, according to Black Belt Magazine. McCarthy, veteran actress Karen Black and legendary wrestling and martial arts teacher famous for Bruce Lee and Chuck Norris. You always tried to get me to go dirt biking with you but I never gave in. [27] He also did interviews for magazines, newspapers, and radio. Congratulations Uncle Gene! Those are just some of the names that Gene LeBell has trained with, not to mention the countless other celebrities and luminaries hes worked alongside during his decades-long careers as a pioneering mixed martial artist, a professional wrestler, and a stuntman. [8], In 1963, LeBell became involved with a challenge by boxer and writer Jim Beck to the practitioners of Japanese martial arts. LeBell is back in the limelight on the 50th anniversary of what's considered the first notable mixed martial arts fight in the United States, even though the term wasn't used: His Dec. 2, 1963 . Gene LeBell, 89, Judo Champion, Wrestler and Star Stuntman, Dies Professional wrestler Bas Rutten announced LeBell's death via Facebook, writing, "You will be greatly missed Gene, August 10, 2022 1:24pm. Ross Clay, Gene is the most unselfish and most giving person I know. Judo Gene!!! He is highly respected by many martial artists all over the world, and has . Mickey Gilbert, Ill never forget working with Gene in Minneapolis for David Ellis. 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 . [2] He worked on over 1,000 films and TV shows and authored 12 books. Seagal himself denies the entire situation, calling LeBell a sick, pathological scumbag liar, though even Seagals former bodyguard Steven Lambert tells a version of the story that has Seagal attempting to resist LeBells application of the hold before winding up on the ground, though remaining conscious throughout. Gene LeBell won his weight class and the overall championship in 1955 as well. You have been a legend for over 60 years and Im honored each month that I get to see you!!!! Gene LeBell, also known as 'Judo Gene LeBell' is best known for, you guessed it, judo. 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. Few people know the amount of time, energy, dedication, innovation , and pure love you have graced us with in your illustrious career! After getting his black belt, he went to Japan to train in judo at the Kodokan. With a background in judo and jiu-jitsu, LeBell was the mastermind behind some of the greatest fighters in the world. The toughest man alive by Gene LeBell . 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. 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. "[24], Seagal bodyguard and stuntman Steven Lambert, stated he was present and said that a confrontation did happen. LeBell also gained notoriety for the way he dealt with the notoriously eccentric and aggressive Steven Seagal on the set of the 1991 film Out for Justice. Who's The Real "Father Of MMA"? 10 Fighters More Deserving Of The LeBell was 89 years old. It was a fascinating collection of people mourning too, from the world of pro wrestling, mixed martial arts, acting, and beyond. Jim Winburn, Long time coming Papa Gene. Besides being a boxer, Milo Savage also had a background in wrestling. Mike Massa, Congratulations 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.. It was in her promotion that a Texas-born grappler named George Wagner first donned an elaborate robe, dyed his hair blond, walked to the ring with a valet, and became the 1950s television sensation Gorgeous George, the toast of the coast.. It is his 90th birthday and a celebration and memorial for him, Chivichyan said. [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. 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. I love you. 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. It has been an honor to work with you ,and see how much you have done, over the years. Beck engaged in abundant trash-talk, but revealed a very limited knowledge of martial arts, seemingly mistaking judo for karate. Chris Pellitteri, Mr. Gene LeBell ; Thank you for your kindness and wisdom over the years. So well deserved!! At 12 LeBell took up judo. Well deserved. Lance Gilbert, Gene , you are surely deserving of this achievement even though your humility wont allow you to agree with us. [21], The popularity of this incident led LeBell to be counted in 1992 as a potential additional member of Robert Wall's controversial "Dirty Dozen," a group of martial artists willing to answer to a public challenge made by Seagal. Gene LeBell is currently married to Wendy LeBell whom he married in 1977. Plus, does starting Tyrese Maxey versus DeAnthony Melton make a difference on the defensive end? Osu J.J. Perry, Gene, Ill never forget the time on set, when you let me try and choke you out. Did Judo Gene Lebell defeat Bruce Lee? If not, would Bruce Lee - Quora