It couldnt go to a better man. Gene LeBell, Famed Stuntman, Martial Artist And Bruce Lee's Teacher "Judo" Gene LeBell | The Godfather of Grappling I have grown up idolizing many of the SU members over the yearsGenes massive career and list of credits is insane. The tributes for "Judo" Gene LeBell, who died on August 9, 2022, at age 89, poured in after news of his passing starting circulating. Thank you for all you have done for those of us blessed to learn from you. He was seen in Rousey's corner during matches and celebrated her victories with her. David Burton, Congrats Gene LeBell great job well done Grover Gay, Congrats Gene LeBell! He was a Nevada and California Athletic Commission judge. Mahalo Christopher Chabriel, Congratulations MEAN GENE!!! David would look at me glassy eyed and say No you dont! [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. Gene LeBell was born on October 9, 1932. Congrats Rick Avery, Congratulations Uncle Gene! Karl Gotch. AEW, Triple H & WWE acknowledged LeBell's influence. August 10, 2022 1:24pm. [8] Gene also wrestled under a black mask as The Hangman, teaming up with Roy Staggs. Whether through his chokes or his jokes, Gene LeBell has been an inspiration for more people than he will ever realize. Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), The late Judo Gene LeBells 90th birthday is celebrated by 200 friends, students, family, Year after the slap, Chris Rock punches back in new special, At least 5 hurt, suspect at large in San Pedro shooting, Snowed-in Crestline residents make the best of it with volunteers, booze, San Bernardino mountain residents grow worried as they cant access medicine, supplies, Gene LeBell, iconic martial arts pioneer, dies at the age of 89, How Victor Henry found himself making his UFC debut Saturday at age 34, She will hurt you: Ronda Rousey, 24, owns it in MMA ring, UFC 199: Mauro Ranallo, Bas Rutten offer Inside MMA perspectives, UFC heavyweight Josh Barnett looks to keep climbing ranks, California Republicans give a boost to Florida Gov. Born in Los Angeles in 1932, LeBell was shipped off to a military. 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. (James C. Udel, Variety, 2018), The remarkable Judo Gene LeBell was still teaching grappling and doing stunts well into his 80s. After spending time training Judo overseas in Japan at the Kodokan, in 1954 the 22 year old Gene Lebell would capture both the heavyweight and the overall Judo Championships. Sugar Ray Robinson. 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. Something went wrong. 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. Savanah Dawn Lilley, The one and only Uncle Gene! A industry standard, and great human being! LeBell came off the floor by a few feet. Stuntman Gene LeBell might not have been around since Hollywood's first fist fight, but his skill has transformed the genre. LeBell was still teaching grappling and doing stunts in his 70s. 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. An agreement was reached for the match to last five rounds, each lasting three minutes. I made very good money, and it led me into a career in stunt work.. He was known as one the best stuntmen in his early days and his influence in the worlds of mixed martial arts and wrestling still. [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. Since Hayastan MMA Academy first opened its door, it has been one of the top gyms in the world. 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. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG), Former UFC Champion and WWE star Ronda Rousey talks about her friend and mentor Judo Gene LeBell during a celebration of his life on what would have been his 90th birthday at Hayastan MMA Academy in North Hollywood Sunday, October 9, 2022. LeBell even awarded Piper a legitimate Black Belt in Judo . If you saw Quentin Tarantino's . Congratulations brother Gene!!! You truly are a one-off, a living legend. Our aim is to create a shop for BJJ Students who don't look at Jiu-Jitsu as a sport - but a lifestyle. Brad Curran June 8, 2018 Interviews. You used to practice on your son David and I used to say to him I want to try that too, to be choked out by your dad. After getting his black belt, he went to Japan to train in judo at the Kodokan. A professional stuntman and actor, LeBell appeared in over 1,000 films and TV shows, and authored 12 books. There he found quick success. "The great Gene Lebell, toughest man I know, has passed away and left us at the age of 89," Rutten wrote. At 12 LeBell took up judo. It was agreed that the match would last five 3 three minute rounds. [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. [10], The loss by Savage, the hometown favorite, caused the crowd to react violently. Hans Gutknecht has been a photojournalist at the Los Angeles Daily News since 1992. [12] Finally, he performed a left harai goshi in the fourth round and followed by locking a rear naked choke. Andy Gill, Congratulations Gene !!! Love, Greg & Barbie Barnett, Youve been my hero my entire career. [9], The match took place on December 2, 1963. 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. On August 7, 2004, the World Martial Arts Masters Association promoted him to 10th degree. Chuck Norris. Sammy Horowitz, Congratulations Gene, its about time you were acknowledged for your amazing contribution to the stunt world. He was known by many as the "Godfather of Grappling," and influenced fighters around the world. Mike Massa, Congratulations Gene!! However, no context is provided for the encounterup until the fight, Booths martial arts credentials, unlike LeBells, are completely unknown, and he defeats Lee on the feet rather than with wrestling techniques. R.I.P. legendary wrestler and stunt performer Gene LeBell - The A.V. Club Congratulations my brother!!! You have definitely earned it for all your contributions to the industry. Nick Plantico, Congrats Gene!! He went on to win the both the Heavyweight and overall champion title 1955 as well. Ian Avabe, You Rock a Master of all well deserved Si PJ Hooper Kelly, Congratulations Gene. [20], LeBell is associated with Gokor Chivichyan's Hayastan MMA Academy where he taught grappling classes. You have been a legend for over 60 years and Im honored each month that I get to see you!!!! They shared their stories about the Toughest Man Alive and Godfather of Grapplings warmth and generosity. Unfortunately, Bruce Lee passed away a few years later in 1973. Those are just some of the names that Gene LeBell has trained with, not to mention the countless other celebrities and luminaries hes worked alongside during his decades-long careers as a pioneering mixed martial artist, a professional wrestler, and a stuntman. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. He would also occasionally wrestle in a disguise as The Hangman. Blessed if you know him, crazy fun guy. His very first match was against John Osako, one of the highest ranked judokas at the national level. LeBell's longtime friend Bas Rutten first revealed the news on Facebook. G-E-N-E Capital-L-E-Capital-B-E-L-L. . 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? Why Are American Teens So Unhappy? Freddy Bouceigues, No one deserves this more then you uncle Gene. The boxer blocked the move, which aggravated an old shoulder injury of LeBell. Love ya, Buddy Joe Hooker, My dear friend Gene. RIP Gene LeBell - Part II - Black Belt Magazine Lou Thesz. The latter then accepted, but only if LeBell could drop 100 pounds to reach his weight, otherwise he would have to face Royce's brothers, similarly 20 years younger than LeBell though still lighter than him. Sat 9th Apr 2022 19.30 BST. After earning these titles, LeBell made the transition to professional wrestling because of the promise of better earnings in the sport. We are all so proud of you, youre a legend. "I learned the [LeBell Lock] from a guy named Neil Melanson," Danielson told the WWE website in 2010. This is very much deserved. Congratulations! Gene Lebell, who had an acting and stunt career that stretched from The Adventures of Ozzie . Your positivity and generosity knows no limit. Gene LeBell - Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [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. 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.
