"[24], Seagal bodyguard and stuntman Steven Lambert, stated he was present and said that a confrontation did happen. Stoked I get to make it this year. Well deserved my friend, and sensei! Gene Lebell, who had an acting and stunt career that stretched from The Adventures of Ozzie . The award couldnt be given to a better or greater person, that trained many motion pictures stuntmen in and out of the motion picture Industry. [17] Ultimately, nothing came from it. Are the Lakers dead? The two became close friends, but the actors untimely death stymied LeBells chance for future speaking parts. Never ever have I known a man so talented, having so much wisdom and experience, so giving of his knowledge and skills and yet being so humble. 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. The Bahamas Wrestling Association: Black Wrestling and the Birth of a Nation. 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 has three children Monica, Danny, and David. When he arrived, Gene LeBell learned that he would not be fighting Beck, but instead a much more well-known boxer in Milo Savage. This scene is loosely based on world class Judoka Gene LeBell . Congrats Rick Avery, Congratulations Uncle Gene! G-E-N-E Capital-L-E-Capital-B-E-L-L. . [4] LeBell appeared in three Elvis Presley movies as a minor character who starts a fight with the character played by Presley. As described in Jonathan Snowdens Shooters, the match was a gripping affair, with the gripping part complicated by the fact that instead of wearing a loose judo gi, as he had promised, Savage instead showed up in a tighter-fitting karate gi intended to make it difficult for LeBell to grab and hold him (below-the-waist takedowns of the sort that LeBell believed to be most effective against boxers were barred). And Thank You for all those Decals and Patches you sent Charlotte and I each Christmas. Congratulations, Connie P Conrad Palmisano, Congratulations Uncle Gene for receiving the lifetime award. Ivan Gene LeBell (October 9, 1932 - August 9, 2022) was an American martial artist, instructor, stunt performer, and professional wrestler. The Mandalorian Season 3 Episode 1 Deep Dive, The Biggest Questions About the Seasons Stretch Run, KDs Suns Debut, Load Management, and Five-Year Anniversary of the Rockets-Clippers Tunnel Debacle. Gene LeBell was born on October 9, 1932. [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. Derek spoke with Matthew Biel of MedStar Georgetown University Hospital about rising teenage unhappiness and what we can do to fix it, All You Touch and All You See: Dark Side of the Moon at 50. I love you. LeBell also gained notoriety for the way he dealt with the notoriously eccentric and aggressive Steven Seagal on the set of the 1991 film Out for Justice. 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. Gene LeBell heard about the proclamation and decided to take Seagal up on the challenge. 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. 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! Love and Respect John C Meier, Gene, I first met you at the Olympic Auditorium many years ago, i cant believe how fast time has past, As a Great stuntman, Actor, Olympian and Teacher being Prolific to this Business you have planted many many seeds in Future Stunt men and stunt women, because of your thoughtful and kind hart this business will be Blessed with talent worthy of calling you Teacher and Friend, Your Long Lost, Brother From Another Mother, and Friend, Love You, Henry Kingi, Uncle GeneI can remember taking your class when I was a young stunt grunt. Billy Robinson. [2] He worked on over 1,000 films and TV shows and authored 12 books. McCarthy, veteran actress Karen Black and legendary wrestling and martial arts teacher famous for Bruce Lee and Chuck Norris. Gene LeBell in 2010 and with Lindsay Wagner on 'The Bionic Woman' in 1976 GI. [12] Finally, he performed a left harai goshi in the fourth round and followed by locking a rear naked choke. (Gene LeBell Biography). 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. 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 later mentored world-class athletes and silver screen legends. 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. Don't miss a beat. Martial Art: Take a wild guess.Notable Achievements: "Judo" Gene LeBell has arguably the most impressive MMA resume of anyone on this list, and LeBells Rolodex is not just one hall of fame roster, but multiple, as hes played integral roles in the worlds of boxing, judo, wrestling, and Hollywood stunt-work. Congrats to the amazing living legend John Stoneham, Jr. Congratulations Gene, you know I love you, and Im so very very proud of you. 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. 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. [29], LeBell was arrested, charged with, and tried for the July 1976 murder of private investigator Robert Duke Hall. He worked on over 1,000 movies and wrote a dozen books. God Bless you Gene and your lovely wife and thanks you for all the things you taught me. More embellished versions include details about Seagal defecating himself. Gene LeBell, a renowned stuntman who trained Bruce Lee and inspired the likes of Quentin Tarantino, died in his sleep Tuesday morning at his home in Sherman Oaks, California, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Mr. LeBell died on Aug. 9 at his home in the Sherman Oaks neighborhood of Los Angeles. 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. Congratulations Gene. Gene LeBell, also known as 'Judo Gene LeBell' is best known for, you guessed it, judo. Will Bowman, Well deserved! LeBell is also a writer and has penned a dozen books on martial arts. 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. 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. Freddie Blassie. It will be donated to St. Jude Childrens Hospital, Southern California, in honor of LeBell. Proud to be your friend! He was acquitted of the murder charge but convicted as an accessory for driving the convicted murderer, pornographer Jack Ginsburgs, to and from the murder scene. After winning amateur national competitions in judo, LeBell decided to make the switch to pro wrestling as it offered more lucrative earnings. The Cauliflower Alley Club presented the award. 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. [14], LeBell has opened two martial art schools in cooperation with others and has touted his 1963 match with Milo Savage as the first televised MMA fight in America.[15][16]. Not long after, he began training judo. The Alabama passer is one of the smallest QB prospects to be pegged as a first-round pick. He popularized grappling in pro-fighting circles and had a famous run-in with Steven Seagal. (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. Gene LeBell, Famed Stuntman and "Godfather of Grappling," Dies at 89 A martial artist and judo champion, he taught Bruce Lee, fought in an early mixed martial arts fight and served as an. He repeated this dominant performance in 1955, winning all but one of his 18 matches solely with standing throws. thank you so much for all the encouragement over all these decades . Instead of being hit first, it was LeBell who would put Bruce Lee in a headlock and carry him around the set. 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. So well deserved!! (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG). It hurt. Gene LeBell was born on October 9, 1932. People called him the Toughest Man Alive. Craig Hosking, Congratulations Gene you are a legend! Mike Smith, Congratulations on this most deserving award for a really great guy. We cant have blood! Gaffer tape stanched the bleeding, and LeBell managed six more takes. [2] He was born in Los Angeles. I love you Gene and I am very proud of your accomplishments in our business. Jimmy Roberts, Gene youve always told me Im the best but your THE GREATEST Love ya, Manny Perry, I owe everything to Gene. 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. 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.. 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. Judo Gene LeBell the Godfather of Grappling was both a renowned ex-world champion in both wrestling/judo, and one of Hollywoods busiest stuntmen. Ronda Rousey. This set the Japanese crowd livid, as it was considered very insulting, but they somewhat calmed down after LeBell went on to win his division. All my love and respect Matt Taylor, Aloha Uncle Gene, Mahalo for sharing your secret Hawaiian Hug mahalo for all your knowledge & advice that youve given. Ill be there to shake your hand tomorrow. [8], In 1963, LeBell became involved with a challenge by boxer and writer Jim Beck to the practitioners of Japanese martial arts. He has trained several notable students including Bruce Lee, Chuck Norris, and Ronda Rousey. judo. I thought I was the only one. Seems like yesterday, lifes crazy like that, huh? Roddy Piper. Contents Roddy Piper Talks MMA and Judo Gene LeBell LeBell judged fights for several decades, but retired from it after Golden Boy Promotions: Liddell vs. Ortiz 3 on November 24, 2018. Congratulations Uncle Gene! [10], The loss by Savage, the hometown favorite, caused the crowd to react violently. Neil Melanson "[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. [7] Despite his pedigree, he did not get over immediately with audiences but gradually became known for his martial arts background. Beck engaged in a great deal of pre-fight trash talk, but it was clear that he had very little knowledge of Japanese martial arts even going as far as confusing traditional judo for karate. Your positivity and generosity knows no limit. 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. Mahalo Christopher Chabriel, Congratulations MEAN GENE!!! He was a man that no endeavor was too tall for him to accomplish, Josh Barnett said of LeBell. 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. Gene LeBell would ultimately choke his opponent unconscious after a tentative start to the match. !Thanks for the memories!! LeBell was never a main-event star in wrestling and by even the most generous assessment wasnt exactly a crowd-pleaser in the ring. Genes feature film appearances include Blue Hawaii (1965), Planet of the Apes (1968), Raging Bull (1980), Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins (1985), Bad Guys (1986), Hard to Kill (1990), Die Hard 2 (1990), Patriot Games (1992), Ed Wood (1994), L.A. 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. You can follow him on Twitter (@MoustacheClubUS) and read more of his work at www.oliverbateman.com. Along with the awards received for feats in judo and grappling, LeBell was the 2005 recipient of the Frank Gotch Award in celebration of the positive recognition he brought to the sport of wrestling. Is MJF the Second Coming of CM Punk? LeBell was 89 years old. It wasnt exactly an elite-level boxer facing down a grappler, but it did offer a variation on the Ultimate Fighting Championship model that LeBells long-time acquaintances, the Gracie family, would partner with Bob Meyrowitz to launch in 1993right down to the initial audience confusion and cautious feeling-out process between the athletes. 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). "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. But whats the legacy of the blockbuster album? Well done sir! [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. Gene LeBell was promoted to 9th degree in jujitsu and taihojutsu in 2000 by the United States Ju-Jitsu (USJJF) Ju Jitsu Federation. Way to go Uncle Gene!!! Mary Karcz, Hi Gene, Id just like to Congratulate you on your receiving the Taurus Lifetime Achievement Award. David would look at me glassy eyed and say No you dont! Blessed if you know him, crazy fun guy. Gene Lebell, who had an acting and stunt career that stretched from The Adventures of Ozzie . 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. 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.. 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.