All the best! LeBell is also a writer and has penned a dozen books on martial arts. Heffay Cadiente, Big congrats Uncle Gene! Thank you Gene for your friendship over the decades. He popularized grappling in pro-fighting circles and had a famous run-in with Steven Seagal. In December 1939, his parents went to Chinatown, San Francisco in California for an international opera tour. LeBell served as the referee for the exhibition match between world heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali and Antonio Inoki on June 26, 1976, at . Part of HuffPost Entertainment. 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. Ivan "Judo" Gene LeBell (October 9, 1932 - August 9, 2022) was an American martial artist, stunt performer, actor, and professional wrestler. Love ya !!! For most of Eatons time in the business, she was the only major female fight promoter in the United States, possibly even the world. He believed in me which made me believe in myself. 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. [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. Its about time. We ask all these burning questions, and more! Mike Bohn. Freddie Blassie. Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic both had 40-point games after the Sixers loss against the Mavs. He was born there on November 27, 1940, making him a dual Hong Kong and United States citizen by birth. Savanah Dawn Lilley, The one and only Uncle Gene! A industry standard, and great human being! Sammy Horowitz, Congratulations Gene, its about time you were acknowledged for your amazing contribution to the stunt world. He is the author of 12 martial arts books. Ya big goofball!!! Ross Clay, Gene is the most unselfish and most giving person I know. [4] LeBell appeared in three Elvis Presley movies as a minor character who starts a fight with the character played by Presley. LeBell's longtime friend Bas Rutten first revealed the news on Facebook. Hollywood stuntman and martial artist Gene LeBell has died. Bruce Lee's father Lee Hoi-chuen was a famous Cantonese opera singer based in Hong Kong. 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. if thirty people are watching, let them talk about it. LeBell has worked on over 1000 TV Show and Film projects. Allen Lopa, Congrats to a legend!! (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG). A lot of fighters are broke. We worked out about 10 to 12 times at his place in Los Angeles Chinatown and at my place.. Interview with Gene LeBell. In the stunt world, I get a pretty doggone good retirement from SAG and AFTRAand I can still work.. He is loved by so many and admired by countless others. LeBell was the third man inside the ring of one of the most famous matches in Japanese history and one that had worldwide attention. Alan Oliney, Hey Gene, Thanks for being a four-star mentor to so many and thanks for being Gene Lebell. On August 7, 2004, the World Martial Arts Masters Association promoted him to 10th degree. LeBell recalled throwing Lee over his shoulder and running around set as Lee screamed, Put me down or Ill kill you. The pair became friends, and LeBell taught Lee judo and wrestling moves, many of which Lee used in his movies, The Way of The Dragon and Enter the Dragon., He was the best martial artist of his time, LeBell recalled in Black Belt Magazine. [7] LeBell took up catch wrestling under Ed "Strangler" Lewis at age 7, and later moved to train in judo. Melanson specializes in catch wrestling, while drawing elements from judo, and focuses his coaching specifically on grappling in mixed martial arts.He is especially known for his guard work, leg locks and triangle chokes. Today we will take a look at just a fraction of it. You don't earn the nickname 'Judo' without knowing a thing or two about combat; just ask Steven Seagal. [21] He was quoted as saying: "When we had a little altercation or difference of opinion, there were thirty stuntmen and cameramen that were watching. . LeBell passed away on Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022, just two months shy of being a nonagenarian. You deserve every bit of it! Anil Rai, Congratulations Mr. [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. Congratulations very well deserved! LeBell recalled in his 2005 autobiography, The Godfather of Grappling meeting Lee on the set of The Green Hornet TV series. Gene LeBell's most famous match was his match with boxer/wrestler Milo Savage. Extant fight footage shows a stocky LeBell, probably 60 to 70 pounds heavier than he was when he debuted in judo, cautiously circling and then struggling to throw the much smaller man, who exhibited sound wrestling defense. Congratulations brother Gene!!! Nicknamed "The Godfather of Grappling", he popularized grappling in professional fighting circles, serving as a precursor to modern 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. 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. Judo is wrestling with handles, he told Black Belt magazine in 1994. [30], LeBell and Ginsburgs were former friends and business partners of Hall. Gene was an actor and stuntman in Hollywood productions for over fifty years with more than 150 acting credits and 250 stunt credits. LeBell was never a main-event star in wrestling and by even the most generous assessment wasnt exactly a crowd-pleaser in the ring. (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. Gene LeBell was born on October 9, 1932. Mary Karcz, Hi Gene, Id just like to Congratulate you on your receiving the Taurus Lifetime Achievement Award. "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. Ivan Gene LeBell (October 9, 1932 - August 9, 2022) was an American martial artist, instructor, stunt performer, and professional wrestler. Scott Wilder, Thank you Sensei for paving the way for martial artists in this biz! Cheers! To round out his education in the martial arts, he also began frequenting the Main Street Gym in Los Angeles, where the West Coast's best boxers gathered. 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 . His career bore that out. Although LeBell would remain undefeated in the sport for eight years, even traveling to Japan in 1955 to further his judo skillsand, following a laundry mishap, adopt the pink gi that became a signature piece of his in-ring lookhis interests were too varied to allow him to focus exclusively on one sport. After, my arms were trembling with strain, you told me to stop and smiled at me, and said kid, dont quit your day job. (James C. Udel, Variety, 2018). Other recordings discovered had ties to the presidential campaign of Richard Nixon. Afterwards, attracted by better potential earnings and the family's legacy in the business, LeBell transitioned to professional wrestling. LeBells top student, Gokor Chivichyan, hosted the event at his martial arts academy to celebrate the life of his mentor and close friend. Erik Stabenau, Congratulations Gene. We are all so proud of you, youre a legend. LeBell was selected from over 200 other applicants to referee the bout. He learnt that the hard way when he came face to face with 'Judo' Gene Lebell and boasted that he was able to escape any hold that the human body could throw at him. In 2004, Gene Lebell was promoted to 10th degree black belt in those arts. Ian Avabe, You Rock a Master of all well deserved Si PJ Hooper Kelly, Congratulations Gene. 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. [20], LeBell is associated with Gokor Chivichyan's Hayastan MMA Academy where he taught grappling classes. Whats different about the Sixers this year? 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. An incredible life being rightfully recognized. 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. Best to You Gene !! Oliver Lee Bateman is a journalist and sports historian who lives in Pittsburgh. Stunt coordinator Bennie Dobbins begged LeBell to humble Lee, who allegedly beat up on his stuntmen throughout the shows production. More embellished versions include details about Seagal defecating himself. Grand Master Leg Locks by Gokor Chivichyan. At four months old (April 1941), the Lee family returned to Hong Kong. Gene LeBell, who died on August 9 at age 89, led a life so expansive that any mere retelling of it would come across like a tall tale, the stuff of Pecos Bill and Paul Bunyanif all of it werent true. Ronda Rousey, Bryan Danielson, and many more idolized the . 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. (James C. Udel, Variety, 2018), The remarkable Judo Gene LeBell was still teaching grappling and doing stunts well into his 80s. Im honored to know you! This is very much deserved. At the insistence of friend and martial artist, Ed Parker, Gene LeBell accepted the challenge match and travelled to Utah to fight Beck. When he arrived, Gene LeBell learned that he would not be fighting Beck, but instead a much more well-known boxer in Milo Savage. I tried to get your son some work but hes always at the beach. The Toughest Man Alive. Sat 9th Apr 2022 19.30 BST. The tributes for "Judo" Gene LeBell, who died on August 9, 2022, at age 89, poured in after news of his passing starting circulating. I was told that all the judo and karate people were not making any money at that time; they were starving, LeBell recalled in that interview. Gene LeBell heard about the proclamation and decided to take Seagal up on the challenge. Proud to be your friend! Gene, I appreciate the things youve accomplished in life, and acknowledge your generosity to those you have helped to achieve theirs. Without locking the hold, Seagal side stepped and swung his forearm backwards into his crotch. I have grown up idolizing many of the SU members over the yearsGenes massive career and list of credits is insane. Gene LeBell Record, Net Worth, Weight, Age & More. LeBell's conviction for being an accessory was later overturned by the California Courts of Appeal. [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. LeBell was 89 years old. 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. This scene is loosely based on world class Judoka Gene LeBell . Whats legacy, anyway? Hardcover - January 1, 2004. "I learned the [LeBell Lock] from a guy named Neil Melanson," Danielson told the WWE website in 2010.