He was a man that no endeavor was too tall for him to accomplish, Josh Barnett said of LeBell. [29], LeBell was arrested, charged with, and tried for the July 1976 murder of private investigator Robert Duke Hall. Hamstrung by rules barring takedowns, strikes on the ground, and submission holds, the fight devolved into a tedious 15-round affair in which Ali taunted and showboated while Inoki crab-walked along the mat, kicking Alis legs. He sparred with James Cagney while shooting Blood on the Sun in 1945, allowing the famous actor to dominate the 20-minute skirmish which garnered rave reviews. (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. It was in her promotion that a Texas-born grappler named George Wagner first donned an elaborate robe, dyed his hair blond, walked to the ring with a valet, and became the 1950s television sensation Gorgeous George, the toast of the coast.. Beck claimed that a boxer could defeat any martial artist in a straight fight and offered $1000 to anyone who could prove otherwise. The Bahamas Wrestling Association: Black Wrestling and the Birth of a Nation. Nicknamed "The Godfather of Grappling", he popularized grappling in professional fighting circles, serving as a precursor to modern mixed martial arts. In 1994, LeBell counted kickboxing champion Benny Urquidez and Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioners the Machado brothers among his training partners. Ronda Rousey, Bryan Danielson, and many more idolized the . What are you doing? LeBell remembers the helmer lamenting. The Cauliflower Alley Club presented the award. UFC 285 Preview: Can Jon Jones Turn Back the Clock? Neil Melanson is an American submission grappling coach. It couldnt go to a better man.
Here's What Really Happened When Bruce Lee Fought A - TheThings 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 . LeBell recalled in his 2005 autobiography, The Godfather of Grappling meeting Lee on the set of The Green Hornet TV series. Its great having such a role model to look up to. 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 father of MMA. In December 1939, his parents went to Chinatown, San Francisco in California for an international opera tour. 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. All the best! He judged UFC 74 (Randy Couture vs. Gabriel Gonzaga) plus he had a highly popular website visited by martial arts and film fans all over the globe. Ill be there to shake your hand tomorrow. Unfortunately, Bruce Lee passed away a few years later in 1973. God Bless you Gene and your lovely wife and thanks you for all the things you taught me. "The great Gene Lebell, toughest man I know, has passed away and left us at the age of 89," Rutten wrote. If you want to do a whizzer throw in wrestling, its the same as an uchimata [inner thigh throw] in judo. 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. Without locking the hold, Seagal side stepped and swung his forearm backwards into his crotch. Seagal, a towering man who had a background in the Japanese martial art of aikido, has long battled with stunt choreographers and fight trainers on setin Shooters, Jonathan Snowden quotes Pride announcer Stephen Quadross story of engaging in an uncomfortable series of wristlock exchanges with Seagal on the set of the 2001 film Exit Woundsbut by most accounts (and there are many), his encounter with LeBell went poorly. Still working on the Pro Wrestling Finishing Holds book techniques to this day! He believed in me which made me believe in myself. Other recordings discovered had ties to the presidential campaign of Richard Nixon. Why Are American Teens So Unhappy? Meet the real life Cliff Booth from 'Once Upon a Time in Hollywood', "Gene LeBell vs Milo Savage: Gene LeBell Saved Martial Arts", "Matches Gene LeBell Wrestlers Database CAGEMATCH - the Internet Wrestling Database", "TOUGH GUYS WEAR PINK IN ANY COLOR, JUDO MASTER AND FILM STUNTMAN GENE LEBELL IS ONE HARD HOMBRE", Gene LeBell talks Steven Seagal s-ing himself, https://www.mmafighting.com/strikeforce/2012/3/11/2858055/judo-gene-lebell-ronda-rousey-mma-judging-choking-out-steven-segal, Steven Seagal denies Gene LeBell made him poop his pants, "Ronda Rousey: 'If Steven Seagal says anything about Gene LeBell to my face, I'll make him crap his pants', "Truth Finally Revealed on Seagal and LeBell According to Actual Eyewitness Steven Lambert Testimony! Muhammad Ali. A long overdue, but well deserved award. [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.
Gene LeBell - Alchetron, The Free Social Encyclopedia 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.. In the stunt world, I get a pretty doggone good retirement from SAG and AFTRAand I can still work.. He was acquitted and continued performing stunts for the big and small screen, alike. LeBell was also a judo and grappling prodigy. 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. [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. 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. When he arrived, Gene LeBell learned that he would not be fighting Beck, but instead a much more well-known boxer in Milo Savage. [27] He also did interviews for magazines, newspapers, and radio. Within seconds, Savage fell unconscious and LeBell was declared the winner. Love, Greg & Barbie Barnett, Youve been my hero my entire career. Billy Robinson. 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. [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. (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. By entering your email and clicking Sign Up, you're agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. 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. 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. #246C,Beverly, MA 01915,United States. LeBell helped Seagal up. And later on, there is discussion of whether or not double-dipping is an acceptable way to eat! Brandon Recor, Congratulations!!! 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. LeBell's longtime friend Bas Rutten first revealed the news on Facebook. The athletic youngster tested himself with such self-imposed challenges as scaling 60-foot-high lighting stanchions to replace spent bulbs. Gene LeBell Did It All 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. 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. Mal, Jo, and Ben get together to talk about where the Mandalorian people are, what adventure awaits Din and Grogu, and much more. So happy for you. His talent in his field was known worldwide and those that got to know him knew he had a heart that matched that talent, the groups statement added. It goes to a great man of strength, integrity and honor. 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. Craig Hosking, Congratulations Gene you are a legend! His second best fight was probably his back and forth battle with 80's and 90's martial arts action star Steven Seagal. Hollywood stuntman and martial artist Gene LeBell has died. 2005, Learn how and when to remove this template message, contest between Muhammad Ali and Antonio Inoki, Golden Boy Promotions: Liddell vs. Ortiz 3, NWA Central States Heavyweight Championship, George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame, NWA "Beat the Champ" Television Championship, NWA North American Heavyweight Championship, "IBK International Kyokushin Budokai Blak Belts", "Roots of Fight Brings Us the Story of "Judo" Gene LeBell MMA Pioneer and Terrifying Old Man", "Could Gene LeBell beat up Bruce Lee? (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.
Gene LeBell - MMA & Wrestling Pioneer - Passes Away At 89 - TheMix.net Gene LeBell would become involved in a challenge match proposed by boxer and writer Jim Beck to all practitioners of Japanese martial arts. It is alleged that as soon as LeBell placed his arms around Seagal's neck and Seagal said "go" that LeBell choked him unconscious. For LeBell, one martial art naturally flowed into another; they were already mixing together in his curious mind. Some of his most famous students were, Ronda Rousey, Sugar Ray Robinson,. Ill toast you from Texas!
Gene LeBell - Biography - IMDb Instead of being hit first, it was LeBell who would put Bruce Lee in a headlock and carry him around the set. 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. 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.
Gene LeBell, iconic martial arts pioneer, dies at the age of 89 - Daily 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. Stunt coordinator Bennie Dobbins begged LeBell to humble Lee, who allegedly beat up on his stuntmen throughout the shows production. "LeBell parlayed his pain-inducing skills into careers in martial arts, professional wrestling and Hollywood stunt work, making him the ultimate a**-kicking Renaissance man. "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.
Where Are They Now: Stuntman Gene LeBell - Variety [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. 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. Ivan Judo Gene LeBell (October 9, 1932 August 9, 2022) was an American martial artist, stunt performer, actor, and professional wrestler. 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.
The Toughest Man Alive. LeBells roots in combat sports ran deep. Jimmy Halty, Congratulations Gene. Ivan Gene LeBell (born October 9, 1932) is an American martial artist, instructor, stunt performer, and professional wrestler born in Los Angeles, California.
Could Gene LeBell, the 'real life Cliff Booth', beat up Bruce Lee? It is his 90th birthday and a celebration and memorial for him, Chivichyan said.
Gene LeBell - Age, Bio, Faces and Birthday LeBell was 89 years old. Judo is wrestling with handles, he told Black Belt magazine in 1994. Andy Gill, Congratulations Gene !!! 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. Martial Art: Take a wild guess.Notable Achievements: "Judo" Gene LeBell has arguably the most impressive MMA resume of anyone on this list, and So they said I could make good money in professional wrestling, which I did. LeBell was 89 years old. Anil Rai, Congratulations Mr. [7] LeBell took up catch wrestling under Ed "Strangler" Lewis at age 7, and later moved to train in judo. 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. Most of his notoriety came after the release of his biggest film, Enter the Dragon, that same year. I made very good money, and it led me into a career in stunt work.. 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. He was known by many as the "Godfather of Grappling," and influenced fighters around the world. Part of HuffPost Entertainment. LeBell was also hired for stunt work with Lee on The Green Hornet.. An additional stipulation prevented LeBell from attempting tackles or takedowns under the waist. While men like Wagner and later Freddie Blassie and Dick the Destroyer Beyer would headline Eatons wrestling cards, the young LeBellbereft of a father figurestarted at the very bottom, learning the ropes in the hardest away imaginable, twisted into pretzels by grapplers like the aging Evan Strangler Lewis, from whom LeBell asked to learn the Stranglers signature headlock when LeBell was the tender age of 7. whose residence contained hours of phone recordings, was acquitted on a murder charge but convicted and sentenced to probation as an accessory, Bryan Danielson Is the Best Hes Ever Been According to Bryan Danielson, Jon Joness Last Stand, Wembys Ceiling, Jokic Backlash, and UFOs With Ariel Helwani and Chuck Klosterman. Gene, I appreciate the things youve accomplished in life, and acknowledge your generosity to those you have helped to achieve theirs. Weve worked together for over (50) years and its been (50) years of pure delight. He is highly respected by many martial artists all over the world, and has . LeBell came off the floor by a few feet. Nick Plantico, Congrats Gene!! [2] He was born in Los Angeles. He was born there on November 27, 1940, making him a dual Hong Kong and United States citizen by birth. The Ploys and Tactics Behind Oscar Campaigning, A Secret Laundromat Meetup, New Jersey Episode 4, and Potomac Reunion Part 2. It was LeBells first movieland lesson: Always let the star win. You are an inspiration!!