UFC 285 Preview: Can Jon Jones Turn Back the Clock? Ivan "Judo" Gene LeBell (October 9, 1932 - August 9, 2022) was an American martial artist, stunt performer, actor, and professional wrestler. [3][4], In 2000, the United States Ju-Jitsu Federation (USJJF) promoted LeBell to 9th dan in jujitsu and taihojutsu. Scott Wilder, Thank you Sensei for paving the way for martial artists in this biz! Billy Robinson. Well deserved my friend, and sensei! Congratulations Gene LeBell! 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. 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. Lou Thesz. Ronda Rousey. Whats different about the Sixers this year? Gregg Smrz, So well deserved! You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Sat 9th Apr 2022 19.30 BST. 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. Gene LeBell is a legend in the world of MMA and Martial Arts. To this day you are still teaching and sharing your wealth of knowledge with the next generation! Allen Lopa, Congrats to a legend!! Working with Gene on many television and films, I learned how to take judo and marital art punches and kicks and fly through the air, crazing through various objects to the ground . developed adult skills by 13. J.N. 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. One day in. He taught fighters like Rowdy Roddy Piper, Chuck Norris, and Ronda Rousey how to grapple and regularly trained Bruce Lee. He is currently the head grappling coach at Jaco Hybrid Training Center.He is the former head grappling coach at both . LeBell lived long enough to learn submission wrestling from the likes of Ed Strangler Lewis, study judo in postwar Japan, win the first notable mixed martial arts match in 1963 and then referee the much-hyped but disappointing 1976 proto-MMA showdown between boxer Muhammad Ali and wrestler Antonio Inoki, trade fighting tips and blows with a young Bruce Lee on the set of The Green Hornet, allegedly choke out martial-arts action star Steven Seagal on the set of Out for Justice in 1991, and even decline an invitation to the early Ultimate Fighting Championship events when he and 82-year-old jujitsu pioneer Hlio Gracie couldnt settle on a fighting weight. LeBell!!! When he arrived, Gene LeBell learned that he would not be fighting Beck, but instead a much more well-known boxer in Milo Savage. 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. His death was announced by Kellie Cunningham, his trustee and business manager, who did not. BJJ Fanatics was started by a pair of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belts who know that nothing is more important for a fellow fanatic than their time on the mat. You always tried to get me to go dirt biking with you but I never gave in. 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. [citation needed], On March 23, 1991, LeBell was awarded the Honorary "Reel" Membership by the Ring of Friendship of the Cauliflower Alley Club. LeBell came off the floor by a few feet. If you saw Quentin Tarantino's . 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. So well deserved!! He was known by many as the Godfather of Grappling, and influenced fighters around the world. In one scene, Brad Pitt plays a stuntman (Cliff Booth) and beats up Bruce Lee on the set of The Green Hornet in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. Gene LeBell, the colorful judo champion, wrestler and stuntman who trained Bruce Lee, fought Elvis Presley and John Wayne in the movies and was an inspiration for Brad Pitt's character in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, has died.He was 89. Could Gene LeBell, the 'real life Cliff Booth', beat up Bruce Lee? Nick Plantico, Congrats Gene!! "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. So they said I could make good money in professional wrestling, which I did. 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? He popularized grappling in pro-fighting circles and had a famous run-in with Steven Seagal. As a stuntman, Gene has worked on more than 1000 film and television projects during a career that has spanned over 50 years. LeBell demonstrated the choke hold by putting it on Seagal. His second best fight was probably his back and forth battle with 80's and 90's martial arts action star Steven Seagal. Congratulations Gene. 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. It was agreed that the match would last five 3 three minute rounds. Steven Seagal was a highly trained aikido expert and because of this, he would proclaim to the world that he was immune to choking. Roddy Piper. 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. Hardcover - January 1, 2004. LeBell later mentored world-class athletes and silver screen legends. 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. Gene's funeral will be private for immediate family only. He worked in. Well deserved. 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. Please enter a valid email and try again. [27] He also did interviews for magazines, newspapers, and radio. Chris Pellitteri, Mr. Gene LeBell ; Thank you for your kindness and wisdom over the years. At the insistence of friend and martial artist, Ed Parker, Gene LeBell accepted the challenge match and travelled to Utah to fight Beck. The judoka and his team showed their sportsmanship by helping to revive Savage using kappo, as neither the referee nor the ring doctor knew how to resuscitate him. Its about time. LeBell served as the referee for the exhibition match between world heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali and Antonio Inoki on June 26, 1976, at . It was LeBells first movieland lesson: Always let the star win. Plus, does starting Tyrese Maxey versus DeAnthony Melton make a difference on the defensive end? Love you brother congratulations! LeBell was also a judo and grappling prodigy. Im honored to know you! Ian Avabe, You Rock a Master of all well deserved Si PJ Hooper Kelly, Congratulations Gene. [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. Answer (1 of 12): Well It seems to be a bit of a controversy about this. 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. Gene LeBell - Wikipedia The Cauliflower Alley Club presented the award. 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. He is there to help you any time any where. People gather to celebrate the life of Judo Gene LeBell on what would have been his 90th birthday at Hayastan MMA Academy in North Hollywood Sunday, October 9, 2022. 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. 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. He was born there on November 27, 1940, making him a dual Hong Kong and United States citizen by birth. In the the Quentin Tarantino film "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood", Bruce Lee was made to look as an arrogant martial arts actor. Gene Lebell, who had an acting and stunt career that stretched from The Adventures of Ozzie . Whether through his chokes or his jokes, Gene LeBell has been an inspiration for more people than he will ever realize. At four months old (April 1941), the Lee family returned to Hong Kong. He had spent time in Japan training at the Kodokan. Gene LeBell - Alchetron, The Free Social Encyclopedia Gene LeBell Had A Hilarious Response To That Famous Steven - Looper He believed in me which made me believe in myself. He won the Amateur Athletic Union National Judo Championships in 1954 and 1955 when he was 22, according to Black Belt Magazine. Gene LeBell's most famous match was his match with boxer/wrestler Milo Savage. 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. 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. If you want to do a whizzer throw in wrestling, its the same as an uchimata [inner thigh throw] in judo. [7][10] Savage even attempted to sweep the judoka in one instance. If I could get my arms around you I would hug you. 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. Influential combat sports icon "Judo" Gene LeBell has died at 89. Nicknamed "The Godfather of Grappling", he popularized grappling in professional fighting circles, serving as a precursor to modern mixed martial arts. 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. Why Are American Teens So Unhappy? So happy for you. An incredible life being rightfully recognized. The Ploys and Tactics Behind Oscar Campaigning, A Secret Laundromat Meetup, New Jersey Episode 4, and Potomac Reunion Part 2. [7] According to fellow BJJ artist Royce Gracie, LeBell was invited to compete in Ultimate Fighting Championship in early 1995, after Gracie stopped participating in its tournaments. Tanner Gill, Congrats Uncle Gene!! [10], The loss by Savage, the hometown favorite, caused the crowd to react violently. A tribute to the late martial artist, stuntman, actor and pro wrestler Gene LeBell. Well done sir! We love him! 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. David Burton, Congrats Gene LeBell great job well done Grover Gay, Congrats Gene LeBell! Osu J.J. Perry, Gene, Ill never forget the time on set, when you let me try and choke you out. It was the long-running Lassie series that first tested LeBells mettle. He was a man that no endeavor was too tall for him to accomplish, Josh Barnett said of LeBell. Gene LeBell had three children including stuntman son David LeBell and FBI agent daughter Monica LeBell Pandis. Sandra Brumfield Avo, Gene is as it has been said amongst the fight world..is the Toughest Man. He is the author of 12 martial arts books. Heffay Cadiente, Big congrats Uncle Gene! The toughest man alive by Gene LeBell . Enjoyed reading about Gene Lebell? [28], LeBell was friends with world champion judoka AnnMaria De Mars, and had known her daughter, Olympic judoka, mixed martial artist and professional wrestler Ronda Rousey since her birth. [4] LeBell appeared in three Elvis Presley movies as a minor character who starts a fight with the character played by Presley. Gene LeBell, iconic martial arts pioneer, dies at the age of 89 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. The Alabama passer is one of the smallest QB prospects to be pegged as a first-round pick. I had a 2-stroke so i had to unload at an area specifiedthe 4-strokes rode the streets to the mountains and riding area.As i was driving my bike in my pick-up.Gene passed me standing on the seat of his XR doin a wheelieGene is an Amazing man.Open arms.. to a choke-out! Video: Gene LeBell in boxing vs. judo fight in 1963 Almost everyone present to honor him wore a Gene LeBell tee-shirt, and his widow Midge sported a sweater covered in patches that LeBell made over the years to give out to fans for souvenirs. Gene LeBell, also known as 'Judo Gene LeBell' is best known for, you guessed it, judo. [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. A lot of fighters are broke. Legendary MMA Trainer Gene LeBell Has Passed Away At 89 "Judo" Gene LeBell Tribute - YouTube 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. Without locking the hold, Seagal side stepped and swung his forearm backwards into his crotch. And later on, there is discussion of whether or not double-dipping is an acceptable way to eat! Inside Hall's residence police discovered hours of wire-tapped recordings, some of which led to the resignation of the Beverly Hills police department chief of police. Well deserved my hat is off to you sir!!! In December 1939, his parents went to Chinatown, San Francisco in California for an international opera tour. 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. 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 . Something went wrong. A long overdue, but well deserved award. 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. Unfortunately, Bruce Lee passed away a few years later in 1973. 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. AEW Revolution Preview, and Whats Going on With Brock, Bray, Bobby, and Omos? The Hollywood Reporter: Gene LeBell, Famed Stuntman and Godfather of Grappling, Dies at 89, Deadline: Gene LeBell Dies: Stuntman, Actor And Wrestling Legend Who Fought Bruce Lee & Chuck Norris Onscreen Was 89, MMA Fighting: Toughest man I know: Pros react to pioneer Judo Gene LeBells death, The Huffington Post: Gene LeBell, Famed Stuntman, Martial Artist And Bruce Lees Teacher Dies At 89. Gene LeBell Record, Net Worth, Weight, Age & More. I love ya man. Christian Fletcher, Congratulations Gene! However, Tarantino disputes this claim. A notable one was the 'Hot Rod' himself, 'Rowdy' Roddy Piper. Are the Lakers dead? 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. Congrats Rick Avery, Congratulations Uncle Gene! [17] Ultimately, nothing came from it. Grand Master Leg Locks by Gokor Chivichyan. [29], LeBell was arrested, charged with, and tried for the July 1976 murder of private investigator Robert Duke Hall. "[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. The fun motorcycle rides we used to go on out at the Pig Farm and at your mountain house. 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. In 2004, Gene Lebell was promoted to 10th degree black belt in those arts. 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.