Gene Lebell, who had an acting and stunt career that stretched from The Adventures of Ozzie . Confidential (1997) Batman & Robin (1997), Rush Hour (1998), The Man on the Moon (1999) Men in Black II (2002), Spiderman 2 (2004), Starsky & Hutch (2004), Over his career, LeBell was bludgeoned, shot, run over, karate-chopped (he became friends with Bruce Lee) and drowned for $2,000 per week earning more than most lawyers during those days. 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. (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. Lee was especially interested in exploring grappling with help from him and exchanged ideas[19] on various fighting techniques. 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. 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. 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. 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. After getting his black belt, he went to Japan to train in judo at the Kodokan. Since Hayastan MMA Academy first opened its door, it has been one of the top gyms in the world. While working at the stunt coordinator for Seagal's film Out for Justice, the two of them met to test Seagal's statement. [2] He worked on over 1,000 films and TV shows and authored 12 books. "My . He will be missed by all who knew and loved him, especially us. Gene LeBell - Alchetron, The Free Social Encyclopedia 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] Also, according to LeBell and other sources, Savage's gloves contained brass knuckles[9][10] and he had greased up his gi with vaseline to make gripping it more difficult. Martial arts legend 'Judo' Gene LeBell dies at 89 - MMA Fighting 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. 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. Tim Gilbert, This tribute is well deserved. Those were great times !! [citation needed], On March 23, 1991, LeBell was awarded the Honorary "Reel" Membership by the Ring of Friendship of the Cauliflower Alley Club. (James C. Udel, Variety, 2018), A fight scene on the sitcom The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet earned LeBell his SAG card. Gene LeBell Had A Hilarious Response To That Famous Steven - Looper He was 89. Nicknamed "The Godfather of Grappling", he popularized grappling in professional fighting circles, serving as a precursor to modern mixed martial arts. Sandra Brumfield Avo, Gene is as it has been said amongst the fight world..is the Toughest Man. The legendary story of Steven Seagal and 'Judo' Gene Lebell We couldnt prouder. The Alabama passer is one of the smallest QB prospects to be pegged as a first-round pick. How Do We Solve This Crisis? Afterwards, attracted by better potential earnings and the family's legacy in the business, LeBell transitioned to professional wrestling. A celebration of his life will be held on his 90thBirthday October 9th, 2022 at the Hayastan Academy led by his student, Black Belt Hall of Fame Member - Gokor Chivichyan. Judo Gene LeBell the Godfather of Grappling was both a renowned ex-world champion in both wrestling/judo, and one of Hollywoods busiest stuntmen. At 12 LeBell took up judo. Gene LeBell, also known as 'Judo Gene LeBell' is best known for, you guessed it, judo. He worked on over 1,000 movies and wrote a dozen books. Its an honor to be your student and friend. Congratulations Gene. 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 passed away on Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022, just two months shy of being a nonagenarian. Here's an attempt to share some of those posts and tweets from the cross . Gene LeBell - IMDb So well deserved!! [2] Instead of being hit first, it was LeBell who would put Bruce Lee in a headlock and carry him around the set. He is currently the head grappling coach at Jaco Hybrid Training Center.He is the former head grappling coach at both . More embellished versions include details about Seagal defecating himself. However, in his excitement Gene swung the title belt around his head, which accidentally hit one of the wrestling commissioners on the head, causing a nasty gash. Gene LeBell, Famed Stuntman and "Godfather of Grappling," Dies at 89 Steve Boyum, Absolutely couldnt go to a better candidate. At the insistence of friend and martial artist, Ed Parker, Gene LeBell accepted the challenge match and travelled to Utah to fight Beck. !Thanks for the memories!! 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. In 2004, Gene Lebell was promoted to 10th degree black belt in those arts. Nicknamed "The Godfather of Grappling", he popularized grappling in professional fighting circles, serving as a precursor to modern mixed martial arts. The godfather of modern grappling and a legitimate tough guy in his own right, LeBell. A half-century ago, Pink Floyd unleashed a classic that still lingers on the Billboard charts and in college dorms to this day. Gene LeBell's net worth is estimated to be approximately $6 million dollars. Stunts Unlimited Member Gene LeBell was presented with the Taurus Lifetime Achievement Award on Saturday, May 13th, 2017 for his outstanding contribution to the world of action feature films. LeBell was 89 years old. 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. LeBell recalled in his 2005 autobiography, The Godfather of Grappling meeting Lee on the set of The Green Hornet TV series. You deserve every bit of it! He worked in. He deserves this award. Congratulations & we all love you. McCarthy, veteran actress Karen Black and legendary wrestling and martial arts teacher famous for Bruce Lee and Chuck Norris. 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. Is MJF the Second Coming of CM Punk? LeBell accompanied Ronda Rousey to the cage for some of her MMA matches in recent years, and served as a MMA judge through 2018. The only thing I have against MMA is they dont have a retirement plan. He has trained with or taught grappling skills to many well-known wrestlers and martial artists, such as Benny "The Jet" Urquidez, Bob Wall, Chuck Norris, Ed Parker, Gokor Chivichyan, Karo Parisyan, "Rowdy" Roddy Piper, Mando Guerrero, Manny Gamburyan. [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. On Sunday, Oct. 9, legendary martial artist and stuntman Judo Gene LeBell would have turned 90. Tanner Gill, Congrats Uncle Gene!! Proud to know you, much love Brent Fletcher, Very proud to have been your student for so many years There is no one prettier than you Sensai You are truly a legend and I can not think of anyone more deserving for this award!!! Roberts, Nobody in the world more respected!! If I could get my arms around you I would hug you. Tough Guys Wear Pink in Any Color, Judo Master and Film Stuntman Gene This is his wish, to do this, and I promised him that Im going to do this on his birthday, and I keep my promise today.. 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. LeBell, preferring to let others do the talking for him, told MMA journalist Ariel Helwani in 2012 that if thirty people are watching, let them talk about it.. Not long after, he began training judo. Weve worked together for over (50) years and its been (50) years of pure delight. 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. In 2000, the United States Ju-Jitsu Federation (USJJF) promoted him to 9th Dan in jujitsu and taihojutsu. 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. #246C,Beverly, MA 01915,United States. 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. For most of Eatons time in the business, she was the only major female fight promoter in the United States, possibly even the world. According to a 2014 interview in Black Belt, LeBell had no idea the fight would be as significant as later developments in the sport of MMA have made it. I thought I was the only one. Seems like yesterday, lifes crazy like that, huh? Ian Avabe, You Rock a Master of all well deserved Si PJ Hooper Kelly, Congratulations Gene. It will be donated to St. Jude Childrens Hospital, Southern California, in honor of LeBell. [3][4], In 2000, the United States Ju-Jitsu Federation (USJJF) promoted LeBell to 9th dan in jujitsu and taihojutsu.

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