G-E-N-E Capital-L-E-Capital-B-E-L-L. . We couldnt prouder. judo. What Really Happened When Bruce Lee Met Gene LeBell "Judo" Gene LeBell the "Godfather of Grappling" was both a renowned ex-world champion in both wrestling/judo, and one of Hollywood's busiest stuntmen. Gene LeBell chokes out student and he has 'accident' After his mother remarried, LeBell was raised near L.A.s old Olympic Auditorium. [20], LeBell is associated with Gokor Chivichyan's Hayastan MMA Academy where he taught grappling classes. 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As wellback in the day..i drove out to ride motos with Gene & some friends at his area in Frazier Park. Mike Bohn. LeBell helped Seagal up. 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. On August 7, 2004, the World Martial Arts Masters Association promoted him to 10th degree. Gene LeBell, also known as 'Judo Gene LeBell' is best known for, you guessed it, judo. 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. Michael Hilow, Congratulations to the prettiest man in Hollywood, and the reason the phrase Bad Ass was created.. No one is more deserving than my buddy, and everyones Uncle.. Uncle 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. Alan Oliney, Hey Gene, Thanks for being a four-star mentor to so many and thanks for being Gene Lebell. A tribute to the late martial artist, stuntman, actor and pro wrestler Gene LeBell. Gregg Smrz, So well deserved! In return, the boxer's camp agreed that he would wear a Judo Gi or uniform, although he ultimately wore a Karate Gi which fit much tighter and was more difficult to grab onto. Afterwards, attracted by better potential earnings and the family's legacy in the business, LeBell transitioned to professional wrestling. LeBell served as the inspiration for Brad Pitt's character in Quentin Tarantino's "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.. LeBells Rolodex is not just one hall of fame roster, but multiple, as hes played integral roles in the worlds of boxing, judo, wrestling, and Hollywood stunt-work. Well done sir! Congratulations, Connie P Conrad Palmisano, Congratulations Uncle Gene for receiving the lifetime award. They thought of each other has good friends but Gene Lebell said he taught Bruce Lee but Bruce said they shared techniques but not as a teacher/student relationsh. Professional wrestler Bas Rutten announced LeBell's death via Facebook, writing, "You will be greatly missed Gene, He taught fighters like Rowdy Roddy Piper, Chuck Norris, and Ronda Rousey how to grapple and regularly trained Bruce Lee. Tanner Gill, Congrats Uncle Gene!! Tarantino, whose portrayal of an overconfident Lee by actor Mike Moh in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood spurred backlash drew heavily from LeBell when he crafted Brad Pitts character in the film as stuntman Cliff Booth, as LeBell had trained in Japan and studied judo years before Lee became a master. It was a fascinating collection of people mourning too, from the world of pro wrestling, mixed martial arts, acting, and beyond. You are a true living legend! Despite this, a man tried to stab LeBell on the way out and the latter had to be protected by the judokas and professional wrestlers who accompanied him. Gene LeBell, Hollywood Stuntman and Martial Artist, Dies at 89 - Variety 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. Ross Clay, Gene is the most unselfish and most giving person I know. [10] LeBell tried several techniques through the second and third rounds and was finally successful in taking Savage down, but Savage kept defending both standing and on the ground in a very technical manner, seemingly confirming LeBell's theory about his opponent's grappling training. Youve not only accomplished a great name in our industry but many,many brothers and sister stunt people that admire and love you very much. Gene LeBell was chosen for the match out of over 200 candidates. With only one uniform in his luggage, he wore the pink gi in Japan, and beat the competition. 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 . His very first match was against John Osako, one of the highest ranked judokas at the national level. 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. [14], LeBell has opened two martial art schools in cooperation with others and has touted his 1963 match with Milo Savage as the first televised MMA fight in America.[15][16]. The boxer's side demanded a stipulation in which the smaller and older Savage (Savage was 39 while LeBell was 31 at the date of the fight) could use any type of punch, while the judoka could not kick, in the apparent belief LeBell was a karateka. Previously, he was married to Eleanor Martindale between 1975 and 1976, Eileen Murillo (1960), Olga Allen between 1957 until 1959, and Midge LeBell before that. 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. 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. [20], LeBell also appeared in "The World of Martial Arts Budojujitsu". What are you doing? LeBell remembers the helmer lamenting. Remembering Gene LeBell - The Ringer He was set to compete the following day and being a Saturday evening when he received the now colored uniform, he had to compete in the pink uniform. Gene's funeral will be private for immediate family only. You have given so much to our community and film business! I made very good money, and it led me into a career in stunt work.. 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. Then consider checking: 100 Cummings Ctr. Gene LeBell, Famed Stuntman, Martial Artist And Bruce Lee's Teacher 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. However, no context is provided for the encounterup until the fight, Booths martial arts credentials, unlike LeBells, are completely unknown, and he defeats Lee on the feet rather than with wrestling techniques. Lou Thesz. Best Hugh Aodh OBrien, All Rights Reserved.Web design by My Life at Speed Digital Services, Stan Barrett, Paul Newman, and Breaking Land Speed Records, Annual Stunts Unlimited Directory Membership Payment, The Stunts Unlimited Directory Membership 20% Off Promotion, actor and stuntman in Hollywood productions, https://stuntsunlimited.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Jon-Boucher-One-of-my-personal-favorite-Gene-Lebell-television-appearances-as-Tarzan-McGirk-taking-on-the-mysterious-Masked-Marvel-on-an-episode-of-The-Munsters..mp4, In Loving Memory of Judo Gene LeBell, 1932-2022. If I have seen further it has been by standing on the shoulders of giants like you!! He is loved by so many and admired by countless others. August 18 | 2022. blackbeltmag.com. [31], On August 9, 2022, LeBell died in his sleep.[32][33]. (Gene LeBell Biography), LeBell transitioned from amateur to AAU national judo champ in 1954 and catapulted to national attention but as a pro wrestler, playing Hank the Hangman; he made a living by losing every match. Im proud to be a friend of yours for over 50 years. He was 89. [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. A video shown at the memorial featured many of his accomplishments from the stunt and martial arts world, evoking smiles, laughter and tears that had many in the crowd wiping their eyes. 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 Life & Times of Gene LeBell - Black Belt Magazine It has been alleged that at some point LeBell heard about the claim and gave Seagal the opportunity to prove it. We are all so proud of you, youre a legend. Savanah Dawn Lilley, The one and only Uncle Gene! A industry standard, and great human being! 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. ( Aubrey Sitterson, rondarousey.com, 2018). Ronnie and Mary Rondell, Congratulations Uncle Gene! Muhammad Ali. Judo Gene!!! 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 . [citation needed], On March 23, 1991, LeBell was awarded the Honorary "Reel" Membership by the Ring of Friendship of the Cauliflower Alley Club. A brief google of you name brings up pages and pages of awesome stories about what youve really accomplished in so many fields. 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. 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. LeBell has made himself the nicknames "Judo" Gene LeBell, "The Godfather of Grappling" and also "The Toughest Man Alive" for his . After his competitive career, Gene LeBell and his brother Mike would run the National Wrestling Alliance's Los Angeles region between 1968 and 1982. Lee was especially interested in exploring grappling with help from him and exchanged ideas[19] on various fighting techniques. He has fought, trained and performed with a dizzying array of some of the most prolific athletes and actors in the world. He went on to win the both the Heavyweight and overall champion title 1955 as well. 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. Gene LeBell's most famous match was his match with boxer/wrestler Milo Savage. Congrats my friend and God Bless. LeBell was selected from over 200 other applicants to referee the bout. There has also been rumors that the unconscious Seagal may have soiled himself. A professional stuntman and actor, LeBell appeared in over 1,000 films and TV shows, and authored 12 books. The athletic youngster tested himself with such self-imposed challenges as scaling 60-foot-high lighting stanchions to replace spent bulbs. Martial arts legend 'Judo' Gene LeBell dies at 89 - MMA Fighting Whats legacy, anyway? As a stuntman, Gene has worked on more than 1000 film and television projects during a career that has spanned over 50 years. God Bless you Gene and your lovely wife and thanks you for all the things you taught me. God bless. 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. Gene LeBell has three children Monica, Danny, and David. One day in. Martial Art: Take a wild guess.Notable Achievements: "Judo" Gene LeBell has arguably the most impressive MMA resume of anyone on this list, and He had spent time in Japan training at the Kodokan. Confused by William Beaudines direction, LeBell ended up being chomped by a 700-pound bear named Victor. Gene LeBell has had a number of notable students throughout the years, from Hollywood legends like Chuck Norris and Roddy Pipper, to martial arts masters such as Gokor Chivichyan, Karo Parisyan, Ronda Rousey, Neil Melanson, Ed Parker and Benny "The Jet" Urquidez to name a few. 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.. 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. Influential combat sports icon "Judo" Gene LeBell has died at 89. Lewis, Friendship is born at the moment when one person says to another: What! You have definitely earned it for all your contributions to the industry. Stuntman Gene LeBell might not have been around since Hollywood's first fist fight, but his skill has transformed the genre. '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. 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. Sat 9th Apr 2022 19.30 BST. So happy for you. For LeBell, one martial art naturally flowed into another; they were already mixing together in his curious mind. 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. 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. Proud to know you, much love Brent Fletcher, Very proud to have been your student for so many years There is no one prettier than you Sensai You are truly a legend and I can not think of anyone more deserving for this award!!! 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. 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.
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