Freddy Bouceigues, No one deserves this more then you uncle Gene. The boxer blocked the move, which aggravated an old shoulder injury of LeBell. A true legend with a legacy of amazing stunt history. Will Bowman, Well deserved! 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. LeBell was also hired for stunt work with Lee on The Green Hornet.. This match could be argued to be the first televised MMA match in history. 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 has three children Monica, Danny, and David. 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. 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. LeBell accompanied Ronda Rousey to the cage for some of her MMA matches in recent years, and served as a MMA judge through 2018. 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. 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. His notable students include Rousey, WWE Hall of Famer Roddy Piper, and Chuck Norris, among others. The Cauliflower Alley Club presented the award. Please enter a valid email and try again. J.N. [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. You can follow him on Twitter (@MoustacheClubUS) and read more of his work at www.oliverbateman.com. [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. 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. 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. The athletic youngster tested himself with such self-imposed challenges as scaling 60-foot-high lighting stanchions to replace spent bulbs. Christian Fletcher, Congratulations Gene! Beck engaged in abundant trash-talk, but revealed a very limited knowledge of martial arts, seemingly mistaking judo for karate. There is no one alive on this planet that deserves this Life Time Achievement Award more than you. LeBell has made himself the nicknames "Judo" Gene LeBell, "The Godfather of Grappling" and also "The Toughest Man Alive" for his . [7], LeBell was requested to confirm the story publicly in an interview with Ariel Helwani in 2012, but he avoided answering the question, albeit implying that the incident was true. After his mother remarried, LeBell was raised near L.A.s old Olympic Auditorium. Along the way, his list of big-name collaborators, students, and opponents became as packed as his CV; in addition to Lee, . Humbled to be 1 of many. Karl Gotch. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG), Former UFC Heavyweight Champion Josh Barnett, talks about Judo Gene LeBell during a celebration of LeBells life on what would have been his 90th birthday at Hayastan MMA Academy in North Hollywood Sunday, October 9, 2022. [10], The loss by Savage, the hometown favorite, caused the crowd to react violently. He began training catch wrestling at age 7 with Ed "The Strangler" Lewis. Ronda Rousey, Bryan Danielson, and many more idolized the . A half-century ago, Pink Floyd unleashed a classic that still lingers on the Billboard charts and in college dorms to this day. LeBell was never a main-event star in wrestling and by even the most generous assessment wasnt exactly a crowd-pleaser in the ring. One day in. 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. Since Hayastan MMA Academy first opened its door, it has been one of the top gyms in the world. Then consider checking: 100 Cummings Ctr. He was 89. Jimmy Roberts, Gene youve always told me Im the best but your THE GREATEST Love ya, Manny Perry, I owe everything to Gene. Lou Thesz. The seeds that Gene LeBell helped plant have grown into the modern landscape of mixed martial arts that we know today. Matt and Craig talk Oscar tactics and more, then later end the show with a prediction about Chris Rocks live comedy special on Netflix, Rachel and Callie also talk all the Bravo news of the week, By submitting your email, you agree to our. The only thing I have against MMA is they dont have a retirement plan. [9], The match took place on December 2, 1963. AEW, Triple H & WWE acknowledged LeBell's influence. With love and affection, Sandy Gimpel, Congrats on your big nite!! Anil Rai, Congratulations Mr. 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). Long overdue! Mary Karcz, Hi Gene, Id just like to Congratulate you on your receiving the Taurus Lifetime Achievement Award. Influential combat sports icon "Judo" Gene LeBell has died at 89. Gene LeBell's net worth is estimated to be approximately $6 million dollars. 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.. [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. Bruce Lee. Congratulations & we all love you. [7][9] The unusual stipulations convinced LeBell the Savage camp, far from being ignorant about martial arts, had trained Savage in judo in order to defend against LeBell's throws. 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. 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. Many modern-day MMA fans recognize LeBell as the one who is present in many of Rousey's early games, coaching her on. On August 7, 2004, the World Martial Arts Masters Association promoted him to 10th degree. He has trained several notable students including Bruce Lee, Chuck Norris, and Ronda Rousey. At the insistence of friend and martial artist, Ed Parker, Gene LeBell accepted the challenge match and travelled to Utah to fight Beck. "My name is Gene LeBell. Contents Roddy Piper Talks MMA and Judo Gene LeBell 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. Bottles, chairs, and other debris were thrown into the ring. Ivan Gene LeBell (October 9, 1932 - August 9, 2022) was an American martial artist, instructor, stunt performer, and professional wrestler. !Thanks for the memories!! I thought I was the only one. Seems like yesterday, lifes crazy like that, huh? Gene LeBell had thousands of students over the years. In June of 1976, LeBell served as the referee during the infamous boxing versus wrestling match between Muhammad Ali and Antonio Inoki in Japan. LeBell would win the match osaekomi where the practitioner pins the opponent for a specified amount of time earning the victory. "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. You have given so much to our community and film business! As wellback in the day..i drove out to ride motos with Gene & some friends at his area in Frazier Park. All my love and respect Pat Romano, Ya ya Uncle Gene , to one of the Gilberts favorite people . Gene LeBell heard about the proclamation and decided to take Seagal up on the challenge. The toughest man alive by Gene LeBell . LeBell has also worked on over 1,000 films and TV shows and has authored 12 books. Well deserved !!! 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! Professional wrestler Bas Rutten announced LeBell's death via Facebook, writing, "You will be greatly missed Gene, Don't miss a beat. I was always jealous that you could ride a wheelie so much better than me. #246C,Beverly, MA 01915,United States. 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. In addition to spending extensive time in the world of . Congratulations Gene LeBell! Outside of the fight game, LeBell worked in film & television, appearing in multiple Elvis Presley movies and working on The Green Hornet TV series, where he struck up a friendship with Bruce Lee. The combatants were initially cautious, with LeBell being the first in pressing the action by attempting to throw Savage down. They knew each other and worked together on the Green Hornet. 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. [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. 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 deserves this award. Judo is wrestling with handles, he told Black Belt magazine in 1994. "[21], When Seagal was asked about the incident, he denied the incident took place, calling LeBell a "sick, pathological scumbag liar" and offered the name of a witness who could discredit the other account. Your positivity and generosity knows no limit. 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. [9], Encouraged by Ed Parker,[8] LeBell accepted the challenge and travelled to Salt Lake City to meet Beck. Gene LeBell in 2010 and with Lindsay Wagner on 'The Bionic Woman' in 1976 GI. Its about time. He eventually adopted the role as "policeman" for the promotion, maintaining law and order, especially during matches involving his brother Mike LeBell. He is currently 89 years old. 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. 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. Gene LeBell was born on October 9, 1932. Im honored to know you! For 89 years, few did that work better than Judo Gene LeBell. I love you Gene and I am very proud of your accomplishments in our business. August 10, 2022 1:24pm. Gene taught my three sons how to take every day life in the training under Gene. He was a Nevada and California Athletic Commission judge. Gregg Smrz, So well deserved! [2] He worked on over 1,000 films and TV shows and authored 12 books. With only one uniform in his luggage, he wore the pink gi in Japan, and beat the competition. Chuck & Charlotte Waters, Special man and amazing human being, so deserving of this recognition. (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. 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. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG). By the time he transitioned to judo in the early 1950s, LeBell had already spent untold hours in submission holds and on the receiving end of punches from boxers like the great Sugar Ray Robinson at L.A.s famous Main Street Gym. I tried to get your son some work but hes always at the beach. 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. [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. Stunt coordinator Bennie Dobbins begged LeBell to humble Lee, who allegedly beat up on his stuntmen throughout the shows production. Eager to claim the $1,000 purseId fight my grandmother for $1,000, but shed have beaten me, LeBell saidthe judoka found himself facing not Beck but Savage, who not only was an accomplished professional boxer but a man with a solid knowledge of wrestling fundamentals. Osu J.J. Perry, Gene, Ill never forget the time on set, when you let me try and choke you out. 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. We ask all these burning questions, and more! 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. Mike Smith, Congratulations on this most deserving award for a really great guy. 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. Few people know the amount of time, energy, dedication, innovation , and pure love you have graced us with in your illustrious career! In 1994, LeBell counted kickboxing champion Benny Urquidez and Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioners the Machado brothers among his training partners. [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. Thank you, Mr. LeBell! [2] He was born in Los Angeles. Thank you for all you have done for those of us blessed to learn from you. Logan Holladay, Congratulations to Uncle Gene for a lifetime of stunts and terrorizing the stunt people; either riding dirt bikes or putting them to sleep. Is MJF the Second Coming of CM Punk? 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. And later on, there is discussion of whether or not double-dipping is an acceptable way to eat! Tanner Gill, Congrats Uncle Gene!! Ivan Gene LeBell was born in Los Angeles on Oct. 9, 1932. Bruce Lee's father Lee Hoi-chuen was a famous Cantonese opera singer based in Hong Kong. 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. 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. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG), AnnMaria De Mars (L), with her daughter former UFC Champion and WWE star Ronda Rousey and Rouseys daughter Po, pose 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. Mahalo Christopher Chabriel, Congratulations MEAN GENE!!! Instead of being hit first, it was LeBell who would put Bruce Lee in a headlock and carry him around the set. When he entered the 1954 AAU National Judo championship as a lightly regarded 160-pound heavyweight, he pinned 1952 Pan American Games gold medalist Johnny Osako in his first match, then went on to win both his weight class as well as the overall tournament. His notable students include Rousey, WWE Hall of Famer Roddy Piper, and Chuck Norris, among others. LeBell!!! [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. 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. (James C. Udel, Variety, 2018), The remarkable Judo Gene LeBell was still teaching grappling and doing stunts well into his 80s.

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