Gene LeBell was chosen for the match out of over 200 candidates. You always tried to get me to go dirt biking with you but I never gave in. 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. 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. 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? Gene LeBell chokes out student and he has 'accident' Jimmy Halty, Congratulations Gene. [citation needed] In addition he also worked on the set of the Green Hornet TV show, in which he developed a friendship with Bruce Lee. Along the way, his list of big-name collaborators, students, and opponents became as packed as his CV; in addition to Lee, . 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. 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. 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. LeBell has worked on over 1000 TV Show and Film projects. How Do We Solve This Crisis? I feel honored to say Ive never been choked out by the legend Gene LaBellI consider you a true friend. There has also been rumors that the unconscious Seagal may have soiled himself. Michael Hughes, Thank you for being such an influence and inspiration to MANY! (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. What Really Happened When Bruce Lee Met Gene LeBell The seeds that Gene LeBell helped plant have grown into the modern landscape of mixed martial arts that we know today. I am so glad I was there Live to see it ! Gene LeBell was promoted to 9th degree in jujitsu and taihojutsu in 2000 by the United States Ju-Jitsu (USJJF) Ju Jitsu Federation. Gene LeBell heard about the proclamation and decided to take Seagal up on the challenge. Legend Gene LeBell's Life Is Set To Be Made Into A Book And Film Gene LeBell, Famed Stuntman and "Godfather of Grappling," Dies at 89 Gene Lebell, who had an acting and stunt career that stretched from The Adventures of Ozzie . As wellback in the day..i drove out to ride motos with Gene & some friends at his area in Frazier Park. He was a man that no endeavor was too tall for him to accomplish, Josh Barnett said of LeBell. A lot of fighters are broke. Martial Art: Take a wild guess.Notable Achievements: "Judo" Gene LeBell has arguably the most impressive MMA resume of anyone on this list, and 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. Congratulations Gene LeBell! 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. LeBell helped Seagal up. Gene LeBell, Famed Stuntman, Martial Artist And Bruce Lee's Teacher The Ploys and Tactics Behind Oscar Campaigning, A Secret Laundromat Meetup, New Jersey Episode 4, and Potomac Reunion Part 2. Norman Howell, Congratulations Gene LeBell an incredible Honor an so well deserved. 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. After his mother remarried, LeBell was raised near L.A.s old Olympic Auditorium. LeBell, who spent much of his later years overseeing the National Wrestling Alliance in Los Angeles, was even charged with murder when private investigator Robert Duke Hall was killed in 1976. 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. He has fought, trained and performed with a dizzying array of some of the most prolific athletes and actors in the world. Thank you Gene for your friendship over the decades. An incredible life being rightfully recognized. I wont say rest easy because we just dont see that happening with Gene. Judo Gene LeBell the Godfather of Grappling was both a renowned ex-world champion in both wrestling/judo, and one of Hollywoods busiest stuntmen. Despite this, a man tried to stab LeBell on the way out and the latter had to be protected by the judokas and professional wrestlers who accompanied him. Please enter a valid email and try again. 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. 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. 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. [6], Ivan Gene LeBell was born in Los Angeles, California. I feel really fortunate to have had him as a part of my life as it is, and really glad to also been able to tell him what an amazing human being, and what an amazing martial artist, he was straight to his face.. Our aim is to create a shop for BJJ Students who don't look at Jiu-Jitsu as a sport - but a lifestyle. Jim Winburn, Long time coming Papa Gene. Gary Goltz. He is highly respected by many martial artists all over the world, and has . He will always be my Stunt Senei. 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. Stuntman Gene LeBell might not have been around since Hollywood's first fist fight, but his skill has transformed the genre. developed adult skills by 13. [3][4], In 2000, the United States Ju-Jitsu Federation (USJJF) promoted LeBell to 9th dan in jujitsu and taihojutsu. Congrats to the amazing living legend John Stoneham, Jr. Congratulations Gene, you know I love you, and Im so very very proud of you. Each speaker spoke fondly of the larger-than-life LeBell, recounting stories and memories of how he inspired them and the love they felt for him. I love you Gene and I am very proud of your accomplishments in our business. The back and forth match between the boxer and the grappler/judoka was an early precursor to the mixed martial arts battles that millions of fans enjoy today. Well deserved !!! One thing I learned was never never mess with Gene LeBell. [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. With love and affection, Sandy Gimpel, Congrats on your big nite!! 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. He eventually adopted the role as "policeman" for the promotion, maintaining law and order, especially during matches involving his brother Mike LeBell. A true legend with a legacy of amazing stunt history. It is his 90th birthday and a celebration and memorial for him, Chivichyan said. [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). 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. You have been a legend for over 60 years and Im honored each month that I get to see you!!!! From TV shows like Mission: Impossible, Batman, and Reno 911! to movies including, The Towering Inferno, RoboCop, Total Recall and Independence Day, LeBell was a go-to stunt coordinator for decades. 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. "My . Im honored to know you! "Judo" Gene LeBell Tribute - YouTube 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. I was driving a weenie mobile and Gene was driving a truck and they wanted a near miss, so we did the take and they said we werent close enough we showed em the paint scraped off the sides of the cars and they said, Okay, I guess youre right. I get his patches every year, got em all right here. 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. 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. Afterwards, attracted by better potential earnings and the family's legacy in the business, LeBell transitioned to professional wrestling. At 12 LeBell took up judo. LeBell judged fights for several decades, but retired from it after Golden Boy Promotions: Liddell vs. Ortiz 3 on November 24, 2018. After an illustrious judo career, Gene tried his hand at professional wrestling, and actually won the heavyweight title in Amarillo, Texas. [20], LeBell also appeared in "The World of Martial Arts Budojujitsu". After earning these titles, LeBell made the transition to professional wrestling because of the promise of better earnings in the sport. 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. After, my arms were trembling with strain, you told me to stop and smiled at me, and said kid, dont quit your day job. (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. 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. 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. LeBell also worked on over 1,000 movies and TV shows [1] and authored 12 books. judo. Judo Gene!!! [17] Ultimately, nothing came from it. Neil Melanson - Wikipedia In 1994, LeBell counted kickboxing champion Benny Urquidez and Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioners the Machado brothers among his training partners. 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. [8], In 1963, LeBell became involved with a challenge by boxer and writer Jim Beck to the practitioners of Japanese martial arts. In the stunt world, I get a pretty doggone good retirement from SAG and AFTRAand I can still work.. 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. In addition to spending extensive time in the world of . Muhammad Ali. Way to go Uncle Gene!!! There is no one alive on this planet that deserves this Life Time Achievement Award more than you. [7][10] Savage even attempted to sweep the judoka in one instance. August 10, 2022 1:24pm. Gene LeBell Dead: Stuntman, Actor And Wrestling Legend Was 89 - Deadline The two became close friends, but the actors untimely death stymied LeBells chance for future speaking parts. But whats the legacy of the blockbuster album? 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. It always put a smile on my face when you would call the SAMP office. Heffay Cadiente, Big congrats Uncle Gene! Freddy Bouceigues, No one deserves this more then you uncle Gene. They shared their stories about the Toughest Man Alive and Godfather of Grapplings warmth and generosity. It hurt. Gene's funeral will be private for immediate family only. You have given so much to our community and film business! When he arrived, Gene LeBell learned that he would not be fighting Beck, but instead a much more well-known boxer in Milo Savage. LeBells roots in combat sports ran deep. Stunt coordinator Bennie Dobbins begged LeBell to humble Lee, who allegedly beat up on his stuntmen throughout the shows production. On August 7, 2004, the World Martial Arts Masters Association promoted him to 10th degree. LeBell demonstrated the choke hold by putting it on Seagal. He began training catch wrestling at age 7 with Ed "The Strangler" Lewis. Bob Debbie Hennessey, Congrats Gene. 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. What are you doing? LeBell remembers the helmer lamenting. God Bless you Gene and your lovely wife and thanks you for all the things you taught me. 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. Hardcover - January 1, 2004. 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. Is MJF the Second Coming of CM Punk? To this day you are still teaching and sharing your wealth of knowledge with the next generation!