Well deserved my friend, and sensei! It was agreed that the match would last five 3 three minute rounds. He has trained with or taught grappling skills to many well-known wrestlers and martial artists, such as Benny "The Jet" Urquidez, Bob Wall, Chuck Norris, Ed Parker, Gokor Chivichyan, Karo Parisyan, "Rowdy" Roddy Piper, Mando Guerrero, Manny Gamburyan. You are a true living legend. His death was announced by Kellie Cunningham, his trustee and business manager, who did not. 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. When I first came to town in 1987, I remember trying to get my hands on one those Stunt Rate breakdown cards you used to make. "[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. They shared their stories about the Toughest Man Alive and Godfather of Grapplings warmth and generosity. Then consider checking: 100 Cummings Ctr. Hardcover - January 1, 2004. 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 talks about Bruce Lee. 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! [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. LeBells roots in combat sports ran deep. Without locking the hold, Seagal side stepped and swung his forearm backwards into his crotch. [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. You always tried to get me to go dirt biking with you but I never gave in. Ron DeSantis presidential prospects, Taft football coach Jeff Kearin steps down in support of school faculty member, Baram and Tioumentsev win World Junior title hours after their coach, Todd Sand, suffers heart attack, Snow collapses roof of Goodwin and Sons, Crestlines only grocery store, Gracie Abrams behind Good Riddance message in Los Angeles sky, Tax filing deadline moves to mid-October for most Californians, Alpine Village shopkeepers get confirmation: theyre being evicted, Ex-sheriffs deputy gets 100 hours of community service for shooting hoax, $31 million goes to San Fernando Valley light-rail line and to engage community, Who will replace ex-LA councilmember Nury Martinez? When he arrived, Gene LeBell learned that he would not be fighting Beck, but instead a much more well-known boxer in Milo Savage. [30], LeBell and Ginsburgs were former friends and business partners of Hall. 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. 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. We are all so proud of you, youre a legend. On Sunday, Oct. 9, legendary martial artist and stuntman "Judo" Gene LeBell would have turned 90. He began training catch wrestling at age 7 with Ed "The Strangler" Lewis. Beck engaged in a great deal of pre-fight trash talk, but it was clear that he had very little knowledge of Japanese martial arts even going as far as confusing traditional judo for karate. The Cauliflower Alley Club presented the award. 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 Record, Net Worth, Weight, Age & More. Well deserved.- Bonnie Happy, Well deserved. LeBell, whom many credit for bringing judo into mixed martial arts, served as a mentor to former UFC champion Ronda Rousey throughout her MMA run, but his roots run much deeper. thank you so much for all the encouragement over all these decades . 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. Still, he continued to get regular stunt work on TV. Gene LeBell's martial arts career was supported and influenced by his mother "Red Head" Aileen Eaten who was a promoter of both sports and who owned the Olympic Auditorium in Los Angeles. LeBell recalled in his 2005 autobiography, The Godfather of Grappling meeting Lee on the set of The Green Hornet TV series. I was always jealous that you could ride a wheelie so much better than me. Lewis, Friendship is born at the moment when one person says to another: What! [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. Something went wrong. LeBell later mentored world-class athletes and silver screen legends. Gene LeBell was chosen for the match out of over 200 candidates. Stoked I get to make it this year. In February 2005, the USJJF made him 9th dan in judo. A pioneer of martial arts, he lived a long and fascinating life. He will always be my Stunt Senei. David would look at me glassy eyed and say No you dont! The boxer's camp even went as far to argue for the stipulation that Savage could use any type of punch, but the judoka could not kick or use takedowns under the waist. In 2004, Gene Lebell was promoted to 10th degree black belt in those arts. "My . 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. August 10, 2022 1:24pm. So, congratulation Gene LeBell from the Winburn families for receiving the Taurus Lifetime Achievement Award. 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. Professional wrestler Bas Rutten announced LeBell's death via Facebook, writing, "You will be greatly missed Gene, Derek spoke with Matthew Biel of MedStar Georgetown University Hospital about rising teenage unhappiness and what we can do to fix it, All You Touch and All You See: Dark Side of the Moon at 50. 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. Mike Massa, Congratulations Gene!! Allen Lopa, Congrats to a legend!! [9], Encouraged by Ed Parker,[8] LeBell accepted the challenge and travelled to Salt Lake City to meet Beck. Lou Thesz. 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. Alan Oliney, Hey Gene, Thanks for being a four-star mentor to so many and thanks for being Gene Lebell. 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. Love ya, Bax Craig Baxley, Sr. Gene LeBell: Bruce Lee in the UFC, Ronda Rousey, if anybody can beat her, Judo in MMA, Jimmy Kimmel, Congratulations Gene..its about time!!! What are you doing? LeBell remembers the helmer lamenting. Is Golden State a sleeping giant? Hans Gutknecht has been a photojournalist at the Los Angeles Daily News since 1992. Craig Hosking, Congratulations Gene you are a legend! (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG), Former UFC Champion and WWE star Ronda Rousey talks 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. Anil Rai, Congratulations Mr. (James C. Udel, Variety, 2018), Gene started training in judo at a young age, and at the age of 20 in 1954, he won National AAU Heavyweight Judo Championship and the USA Overall Judo Championship title. she was the only major female fight promoter in the United States, who was said to be terrorizing the stuntman for a particular scene, background in the Japanese martial art of aikido. LeBell accompanied Ronda Rousey to the cage for some of her MMA matches in recent years, and served as a MMA judge through 2018. 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. It will be donated to St. Jude Childrens Hospital, Southern California, in honor of LeBell. Seagal has later flatly denied the claim and LeBell has not gone as far to 100% confirm, though his student and long time friend Ronda Rousey has stood up for LeBell's honor in interviews. I have ridden on the back of his bike for one of his marathon wheelies.Pine Mtn Club so much fun. LeBell was 89 years old. Ill be there to shake your hand tomorrow. A true legend with a legacy of amazing stunt history. Colleagues, friends and fans (in most cases they qualify as all three) have contributed their congratulations to the living legend that is Judo Gene LeBell. LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA- Famous wrestler, Martial artist Ivan Gene LeBell better known as Gene LeBell, passes away at 89. In a fifty year career of high falls and fist fights, Gene LeBell has crashed cars, jumped motorcycles, wrestled bears, incited riots and fought some of the deadliest men in the world. He worked on over 1,000 movies and wrote a dozen books. [citation needed], On March 23, 1991, LeBell was awarded the Honorary "Reel" Membership by the Ring of Friendship of the Cauliflower Alley Club. Brandon Recor, Congratulations!!! LeBell was also hired for stunt work with Lee on The Green Hornet.. Judo Gene!!! LeBell was still teaching grappling and doing stunts in his 70s. The late 'Judo' Gene LeBell's 90th birthday is celebrated by 200 friends, students, family LeBell's top student, Gokor Chivichyan, held the event at his martial arts academy, remembering a . Scott Wilder, Thank you Sensei for paving the way for martial artists in this biz! Stunt coordinator Bennie Dobbins begged LeBell to humble Lee, who allegedly beat up on his stuntmen throughout the shows production. For most of Eatons time in the business, she was the only major female fight promoter in the United States, possibly even the world. Oops. "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. He is highly respected by many martial artists all over the world, and has . Hey Gene which way to the Beach? Little Mo and Lou, Uncle Gene has been a trusted mentor, ardent Sensei and dear friend to me and countless other stunt people throughout the years. In 1994, LeBell counted kickboxing champion Benny Urquidez and Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioners the Machado brothers among his training partners. I love you. LeBell has also worked on over 1,000 films and TV shows and has authored 12 books. Christian Fletcher, Congratulations Gene! 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. Bruce Lee. [10] Also, according to LeBell and other sources, Savage's gloves contained brass knuckles[9][10] and he had greased up his gi with vaseline to make gripping it more difficult. Gene LeBell has three children Monica, Danny, and David. Chuck & Charlotte Waters, Special man and amazing human being, so deserving of this recognition. McCarthy, veteran actress Karen Black and legendary wrestling and martial arts teacher famous for Bruce Lee and Chuck Norris. Despite this long legacy in the worlds of pro wrestling and MMA, LeBell, always chasing the smart money, never hung around too long on the mat in either sport: Theres only 1 in 1,000 MMA fighters who make money, he told Black Belt magazine in 2014. You can follow him on Twitter (@MoustacheClubUS) and read more of his work at www.oliverbateman.com. He eventually adopted the role as "policeman" for the promotion, maintaining law and order, especially during matches involving his brother Mike LeBell. 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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. In a story worthy of the detective novels of Raymond Chandler, LeBell, who drove California pornography magnate Jack Ginsburgs to the murder scene, was acquitted on a murder charge but convicted and sentenced to probation as an accessory for his role in transporting Ginsburgs to the murdera conviction later overturned by the California Court of Appeals in a heavily fact-dependent decision based on careful interpretation of state rules of evidence rather than any new proof of LeBells innocence. Blessed if you know him, crazy fun guy. Gene LeBell (also called "Judo Gene" and "the Godfather of Grappling") went on to perform stunts in hundreds of movies, train martial artists like Chuck . Ian Avabe, You Rock a Master of all well deserved Si PJ Hooper Kelly, Congratulations Gene. The belt was immediately seized from the shocked Gene, which in later years would cause him to comment, Well, at least I was the champ for 12 seconds and I retired as champion. (Gene LeBell Biography), Gene went on to fight numerous opponents over the years including practitioners from other fighting arts that scoffed at Genes prowess, however they learned the hard way that Genes superb grappling skills were the real deal. 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. So well deserved!! Proud to be your friend! [26], The pink colored judo gi became a trademark of LeBell and was a result of a laundry mixup while preparing for a competition in Japan. You too? Interview with Gene LeBell. Weve worked together for over (50) years and its been (50) years of pure delight. Gene LeBell was a man who lived a full and adventurous life. A pair of red shorts were mixed into the laundry that contained his Gi and turned the uniform a shade of pink. 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. The Bahamas Wrestling Association: Black Wrestling and the Birth of a Nation. Congrats Rick Avery, Congratulations Uncle Gene! Over the course of this six-decade career, LeBell had a hand in training many prominent players in the entertainment, wrestling, and MMA worlds. August 10, 2022 1:24pm. Instructed through brutal tutorials by professional wrestlers and old-school masters, he developed adult skills by 13. 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. We worked out about 10 to 12 times at his place in Los Angeles Chinatown and at my place.. 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. if thirty people are watching, let them talk about it. He won the Amateur Athletic Union National Judo Championships in 1954 and 1955 when he was 22, according to Black Belt Magazine. Ivan Judo Gene LeBell (October 9, 1932 August 9, 2022) was an American martial artist, stunt performer, actor, and professional wrestler. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG). [8] Gene also wrestled under a black mask as The Hangman, teaming up with Roy Staggs. Im honored to know you! Gene LeBell is currently married to Wendy LeBell whom he married in 1977. [2] He was born in Los Angeles. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him, especially us. He was known as one the best stuntmen in his early days and his influence in the worlds of mixed martial arts and wrestling still. 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. Influential combat sports icon "Judo" Gene LeBell has died at 89. [18], LeBell has worked on over 1,000 films, TV shows and commercials as a stuntman or as an actor (including multiple appearances as himself). In the stunt world, I get a pretty doggone good retirement from SAG and AFTRAand I can still work.. It must be said at this stage that . He believed in me which made me believe in myself. 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. Congratulations Gene. He is a two time AAU National Judo Champion and he was a professional wrestling world heavyweight champion . His second best fight was probably his back and forth battle with 80's and 90's martial arts action star Steven Seagal. 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. Congratulations Gene LeBell! He would also occasionally wrestle in a disguise as The Hangman. Along the way, his list of big-name collaborators, students, and opponents became as packed as his CV; in addition to Lee, . [7][8] In return, Savage offered to wear a judogi. Well deserved. "The great Gene Lebell, toughest man I know, has passed away and left us at the age of 89," Rutten wrote. It is with a heavy heart that we recognize our past member and friend, Mr. Gene LeBell, has passed on. 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. 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. 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. Don't miss a beat. It was LeBells first movieland lesson: Always let the star win. (James C. Udel, Variety, 2018), The remarkable Judo Gene LeBell was still teaching grappling and doing stunts well into his 80s. Your positivity and generosity knows no limit. Since Hayastan MMA Academy first opened its door, it has been one of the top gyms in the world. developed adult skills by 13. Not long after, he began training judo. The grappling club master . (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. 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. Ed Lewis. Plus, Nadine Smith on the Agendas Behind Wrestling Documentaries. With love and affection, Sandy Gimpel, Congrats on your big nite!! At 12 LeBell took up judo. An agreement was reached for the match to last five rounds, each lasting three minutes. This scene is loosely based on world class Judoka Gene LeBell .