According to Lambert, Seagal explained to LeBell that he did not believe his choke hold was effective, and that he could escape from it. You may have seen his name in the credits of countless movies and television shows dating back to the late 1960's. You may have caught the "Godfather of Grappling" in one of his matches in the world of professional wrestling, you may know him as the "toughest man on the . 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.. We love him! [8], After returning to the United States, LeBell competed as a heavyweight. 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. 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. (James C. Udel, Variety, 2018), The remarkable Judo Gene LeBell was still teaching grappling and doing stunts well into his 80s. Gene LeBell, Famed Stuntman and "Godfather of Grappling," Dies at 89 [6], Ivan Gene LeBell was born in Los Angeles, California. LeBell, Gene [WorldCat Identities] Gene LeBell was born on October 9, 1932. Gregg Smrz, So well deserved! [7] LeBell took up catch wrestling under Ed "Strangler" Lewis at age 7, and later moved to train in judo. Bob Debbie Hennessey, Congrats Gene. You have given so much to our community and film business! The boxer blocked the move, which aggravated an old shoulder injury of LeBell. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG). A pioneer of martial arts, he lived a long and fascinating life. Brandon Recor, Congratulations!!! A tribute to the late martial artist, stuntman, actor and pro wrestler Gene LeBell. Congratulations! Beck claimed that a boxer could defeat any martial artist in a straight fight and offered $1000 to anyone who could prove otherwise. FLASH SALE - Buy 1 video get 40% OFF - COUPON40, Buy 2 videos get 43% OFF - COUPON43, Buy 3 or more videos get 45% OFF - COUPON45. Voters will soon get a say, As Adderall shortage continues, DEA plans to limit some telemedicine prescriptions, House where JonBenet Ramsey was found dead listed for sale for almost $7M, Columbia University permanently drops SAT, ACT admissions requirement, The Waterbed Doctor: California retailer lays claim to retro bed with nearly 40 years of service, sales, Felonious Florida podcast: Missing teenage girl leads to several cases of child sex trafficking, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. 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. He went on to win the both the Heavyweight and overall champion title 1955 as well. Neil Melanson - Wikipedia A pair of red shorts were mixed into the laundry that contained his Gi and turned the uniform a shade of pink. The judoka and his team showed their sportsmanship by helping to revive Savage using kappo, as neither the referee nor the ring doctor knew how to resuscitate him. LeBell was selected from over 200 other applicants to referee the bout. He subsequently dominated auditions for the role of Mr. Kryptonite in the Superman TV series, which ran from 1952 to 1958; actor George Reeves, who played the Man of Steel, hired him on the spot after seeing his high-flying judo rolls and flips. He was known by many as the "Godfather of Grappling," and influenced fighters around the world. 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. 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. At 12 LeBell took up judo. Gene, I appreciate the things youve accomplished in life, and acknowledge your generosity to those you have helped to achieve theirs. LeBell is said to have placed his arms around Seagal's neck, and once Seagal said "go", proceeded to choke him unconscious, with Seagal losing control of his bowels. Congratulations very well deserved! 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. [17] Ultimately, nothing came from it. [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. 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. Cheers! An additional stipulation prevented LeBell from attempting tackles or takedowns under the waist. "Judo" Gene LeBell | The Godfather of Grappling After an illustrious judo career, Gene tried his hand at professional wrestling, and actually won the heavyweight title in Amarillo, Texas. Tough Guys Wear Pink in Any Color, Judo Master and Film Stuntman Gene I wont say rest easy because we just dont see that happening with Gene. Without locking the hold, Seagal side stepped and swung his forearm backwards into his crotch. Brad Curran June 8, 2018 Interviews. To round out his education in the martial arts, he also began frequenting the Main Street Gym in Los Angeles, where the West Coast's best boxers gathered. You are an inspiration!! (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. Mr. LeBell died on Aug. 9 at his home in the Sherman Oaks neighborhood of Los Angeles. After winning amateur national competitions in judo, LeBell decided to make the switch to pro wrestling as it offered more lucrative earnings. 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. 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. Well deserved !!! Gene taught my three sons how to take every day life in the training under Gene. [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. To his surprise, he learned his opponent would not be Beck but a higher regarded boxer, Milo Savage, who also had a background in amateur wrestling. This award is only given to a select few. Ivan Gene LeBell was born in Los Angeles on Oct. 9, 1932. He was highly respected by many martial artists all over the world, and has been considered a ground breaker in many aspects of the art of grappling. Gene LeBell's net worth is estimated to be approximately $6 million dollars. He is currently 89 years old. The combatants were initially cautious, with LeBell being the first in pressing the action by attempting to throw Savage down. Ivan Gene LeBell (born October 9, 1932) is an American martial artist, instructor, stunt performer, and professional wrestler born in Los Angeles, California. He has fought, trained and performed with a dizzying array of some of the most prolific athletes and actors in the world. The Alabama passer is one of the smallest QB prospects to be pegged as a first-round pick. Gene LeBell Passes Away At Age 89 - Ringside News Andy Gill, Congratulations Gene !!! 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. 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). Matt and Craig talk Oscar tactics and more, then later end the show with a prediction about Chris Rocks live comedy special on Netflix, Rachel and Callie also talk all the Bravo news of the week, By submitting your email, you agree to our. Jim Winburn, Long time coming Papa Gene. LeBell earned the upset win via an osaekomi. 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. Will Bowman, Well deserved! He was 89. Bottles, chairs, and other debris were thrown into the ring. For LeBell, one martial art naturally flowed into another; they were already mixing together in his curious mind. [2] He was born in Los Angeles. [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]. RIP Gene LeBell - Part II. [30], LeBell and Ginsburgs were former friends and business partners of Hall. Many modern-day MMA fans recognize LeBell as the one who is present in many of Rousey's early games, coaching her on. Hollywood stuntman and martial artist Gene LeBell has died. 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? Alan Oliney, Hey Gene, Thanks for being a four-star mentor to so many and thanks for being Gene Lebell. 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. You too? Few will live a life as extraordinary as Gene LeBell has. 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. The Hollywood Reporter: Gene LeBell, Famed Stuntman and Godfather of Grappling, Dies at 89, Deadline: Gene LeBell Dies: Stuntman, Actor And Wrestling Legend Who Fought Bruce Lee & Chuck Norris Onscreen Was 89, MMA Fighting: Toughest man I know: Pros react to pioneer Judo Gene LeBells death, The Huffington Post: Gene LeBell, Famed Stuntman, Martial Artist And Bruce Lees Teacher Dies At 89. Ivan "Judo" Gene LeBell (October 9, 1932 - August 9, 2022) was an American martial artist, stunt performer, actor, and professional wrestler. Gene LeBell heard about the proclamation and decided to take Seagal up on the challenge. Answer (1 of 12): Well It seems to be a bit of a controversy about this. Remembering Gene LeBell - The Ringer Martial arts legend 'Judo' Gene LeBell dies at 89 - MMA Fighting [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. The late 'Judo' Gene LeBell's 90th birthday is celebrated by 200 Lewis, Friendship is born at the moment when one person says to another: What! It will be donated to St. Jude Childrens Hospital, Southern California, in honor of LeBell. Youre not only a legend to me but a great, great friend. Gene Lebell, who had an acting and stunt career that stretched from The Adventures of Ozzie . UFC news: 'Judo' Gene LeBell dead at 89; MMA community mourns We are incredibly sad to report that our hero, dear friend and Stunts Unlimited brother passed away yesterday, August 9th, 2022 at the age of 89. Sometimes Steven has a tendency to cheese off the wrong people, and you can get hurt doing that. He popularized grappling in pro-fighting circles and had a famous run-in with Steven Seagal. [3][4], In 2000, the United States Ju-Jitsu Federation (USJJF) promoted LeBell to 9th dan in jujitsu and taihojutsu. Former stuntman, wrestling promoter Gene LeBell dead at 89 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. ", "Gene LeBell and Ronda Rousey's golden lineage", "Killer's Impending Parole Scuttled by Extortion Plot", "Los Angeles Stirred by Detective's Mysterious Death", "Judo legend Gene LeBell passes away aged 89 years old", "Gene LeBell, Famed Stuntman and "Godfather of Grappling," Dies at 89", "NWA Hall of Fame Class for 2011 announced", "North American Heavyweight Title (W. Texas)", Seagal vs LeBell resolved Fact, Fiction & Eye-Witness Testimony on the Urban Legend, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Gene_LeBell&oldid=1141444745, NWA "Beat the Champ" Television Champions, Articles lacking reliable references from May 2021, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles needing additional references from May 2021, All articles needing additional references, All Wikipedia articles written in American English, Pages using embedded infobox templates with the title parameter, Articles with unsourced statements from May 2021, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 25 February 2023, at 02:59.