You deserve every bit of it! Nicknamed "The Godfather of Grappling", he popularized grappling in professional fighting circles, serving as a precursor to modern mixed martial arts. Don't miss a beat. He is the author of 12 martial arts books. He has trained several notable students including Bruce Lee, Chuck Norris, and Ronda Rousey. In a recent conversation with Bob Calhoun, the coauthor of LeBells autobiography The Godfather of Grappling, the judoka, then 87 years old, said he was surprised that Lee didnt try to counter me, so I think he was more surprised than anything else. In the years that followed, Lee worked with LeBell to incorporate grappling into his films, defeating Sammo Hung with an arm bar in Enter the Dragon and Chuck Norriswho would become another long-time collaborator of LeBellsvia chokehold in Way of the Dragon. What are you doing? LeBell remembers the helmer lamenting. Meet the real life Cliff Booth from 'Once Upon a Time in Hollywood', "Gene LeBell vs Milo Savage: Gene LeBell Saved Martial Arts", "Matches Gene LeBell Wrestlers Database CAGEMATCH - the Internet Wrestling Database", "TOUGH GUYS WEAR PINK IN ANY COLOR, JUDO MASTER AND FILM STUNTMAN GENE LEBELL IS ONE HARD HOMBRE", Gene LeBell talks Steven Seagal s-ing himself, https://www.mmafighting.com/strikeforce/2012/3/11/2858055/judo-gene-lebell-ronda-rousey-mma-judging-choking-out-steven-segal, Steven Seagal denies Gene LeBell made him poop his pants, "Ronda Rousey: 'If Steven Seagal says anything about Gene LeBell to my face, I'll make him crap his pants', "Truth Finally Revealed on Seagal and LeBell According to Actual Eyewitness Steven Lambert Testimony! Well deserved. He popularized grappling in pro-fighting circles and had a famous run-in with Steven Seagal. [citation needed], On March 23, 1991, LeBell was awarded the Honorary "Reel" Membership by the Ring of Friendship of the Cauliflower Alley Club. Congratulations very well deserved! A half-century ago, Pink Floyd unleashed a classic that still lingers on the Billboard charts and in college dorms to this day. [7] LeBell took up catch wrestling under Ed "Strangler" Lewis at age 7, and later moved to train in judo. On Sunday, Oct. 9, legendary martial artist and stuntman "Judo" Gene LeBell would have turned 90. I have grown up idolizing many of the SU members over the yearsGenes massive career and list of credits is insane. Here's an attempt to share some of those posts and tweets from the cross . Ed Lewis. 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.. Gene LeBell - Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Gregg Smrz, So well deserved! Wrestlers & MMA stars pay tribute to Gene LeBell. 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 is survived by his wife Midge, his children Monica and David; stepchildren Danny and Stacey; and grandchildren Daniel, Tyler and Nicholas. 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. !Thanks for the memories!! I love ya man. Gene LeBell, iconic martial arts pioneer, dies at the age of 89 He was set to compete the following day and being a Saturday evening when he received the now colored uniform, he had to compete in the pink uniform. Extant fight footage shows a stocky LeBell, probably 60 to 70 pounds heavier than he was when he debuted in judo, cautiously circling and then struggling to throw the much smaller man, who exhibited sound wrestling defense. You can follow him on Twitter (@MoustacheClubUS) and read more of his work at www.oliverbateman.com. He was known by many as the Godfather of Grappling, and influenced fighters around the world. LeBell served as the inspiration for Brad Pitt's character in Quentin Tarantino's "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.. Bruce Lee's father Lee Hoi-chuen was a famous Cantonese opera singer based in Hong Kong. OSU! The athletic youngster tested himself with such self-imposed challenges as scaling 60-foot-high lighting stanchions to replace spent bulbs. [7] Despite his pedigree, he did not get over immediately with audiences but gradually became known for his martial arts background. It was agreed that the match would last five 3 three minute rounds. Gene LeBell, iconic martial arts pioneer, dies at the age of 89 - Daily 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. Gene LeBell Dead: Stuntman, Actor And Wrestling Legend Was 89 - Deadline LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA- Famous wrestler, Martial artist Ivan Gene LeBell better known as Gene LeBell, passes away at 89. Gene LeBell is currently married to Wendy LeBell whom he married in 1977. Oops. For a time, he took on a role as "policeman" for the organization, helping to maintain order. LeBell was never a main-event star in wrestling and by even the most generous assessment wasnt exactly a crowd-pleaser in the ring. It was Beck's contention that a boxer would be able to defeat any martial artist in a fight and he put up $1000 to anyone who defeat the boxer in this challenge match. Gene LeBell (also called "Judo Gene" and "the Godfather of Grappling") went on to perform stunts in hundreds of movies, train martial artists like Chuck . Beck engaged in abundant trash-talk, but revealed a very limited knowledge of martial arts, seemingly mistaking judo for karate. Here's What Really Happened When Bruce Lee Fought A - TheThings Way to go Uncle Gene!!! Gene LeBell Did It All Over a legendary career as a judoka, pro wrestler, and Hollywood stuntman, LeBell was a pioneer in mixed martial arts and choreographed violenceand one of the toughest. When he arrived, Gene LeBell learned that he would not be fighting Beck, but instead a much more well-known boxer in Milo Savage. On the day of the match, Savage appeared wearing a karategi instead, much tighter and harder to grab. By the time he transitioned to judo in the early 1950s, LeBell had already spent untold hours in submission holds and on the receiving end of punches from boxers like the great Sugar Ray Robinson at L.A.s famous Main Street Gym. LeBell passed away on Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022, just two months shy of being a nonagenarian. They knew each other and worked together on the Green Hornet. However, the writing was on the wall for Savage: LeBell threw and then mounted the boxer in the second round, although he couldnt secure a finish, then hip-tossed him in the fourth round before using a gi choke to render his foe unconsciousmuch to the displeasure of the crowd, which was unused to seeing people choked in this way. In Loving Memory of Judo Gene LeBell, 1932-2022 Love ya, Bax Craig Baxley, Sr. Gene LeBell: Bruce Lee in the UFC, Ronda Rousey, if anybody can beat her, Judo in MMA, Jimmy Kimmel, Congratulations Gene..its about time!!! Your positivity and generosity knows no limit. Gene was an actor and stuntman in Hollywood productions for over fifty years with more than 150 acting credits and 250 stunt credits. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG), Martial artist Bas Rutten poses 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. Chris Pellitteri, Mr. Gene LeBell ; Thank you for your kindness and wisdom over the years. Congratulations & we all love you. A tribute to the late martial artist, stuntman, actor and pro wrestler Gene LeBell. It was a fascinating collection of people mourning too, from the world of pro wrestling, mixed martial arts, acting, and beyond. 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. 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. So happy for you. Plus, does starting Tyrese Maxey versus DeAnthony Melton make a difference on the defensive end? Ill never forget that moment, congratulations brother. 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. Without locking the hold, Seagal side stepped and swung his forearm backwards into his crotch. He eventually adopted the role as "policeman" for the promotion, maintaining law and order, especially during matches involving his brother Mike LeBell. A brief google of you name brings up pages and pages of awesome stories about what youve really accomplished in so many fields. Love ya Gene. 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. 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. Hollywood stuntman and martial artist Gene LeBell has died. 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. Gene LeBell talks about Bruce Lee. Gene LeBell would ultimately choke his opponent unconscious after a tentative start to the match. It was LeBells first movieland lesson: Always let the star win. [20], LeBell also appeared in "The World of Martial Arts Budojujitsu". It has been an honor to work with you ,and see how much you have done, over the years. An incredible life being rightfully recognized. Along the way, he trained scores of future greats in a variety of disciplines, from Rowdy Roddy Piper in wrestling to Rowdy Ronda Rousey in judo (she, too, eventually wound up in the wrestling business), and even managed to extricate himself from being convicted in the 1976 murder of a private detective who had been digging up dirt on a host of California notables. 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. It couldnt go to a better man. It has been alleged that at some point LeBell heard about the claim and gave Seagal the opportunity to prove it. It is his 90th birthday and a celebration and memorial for him, Chivichyan said. Besides being a boxer, Milo Savage also had a background in wrestling. You too? Brad Curran June 8, 2018 Interviews. 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. [7][10] Savage even attempted to sweep the judoka in one instance. Gene LeBell reflects on 50th anniversary of first major American mixed Remembering Gene LeBell - The Ringer 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. An agreement was reached for the match to last five rounds, each lasting three minutes. Over the course of this six-decade career, LeBell had a hand in training many prominent players in the entertainment, wrestling, and MMA worlds. He was born there on November 27, 1940, making him a dual Hong Kong and United States citizen by birth. 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. [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. Im honored to know you! Michael Nesbitt, Congratulations, judo Gene LeBell Tony Epperson, Congratulations! Gene LeBell was chosen for the match out of over 200 candidates. In February 2005, the USJJF made him 9th dan in judo. G-E-N-E Capital-L-E-Capital-B-E-L-L. . Gene LeBell Record, Net Worth, Weight, Age & More. Gene has trained with numerous other world champion martial artists includingChuck Norris,Bill Wallace, andBenny Urquidez. As a stuntman, Gene has worked on more than 1000 film and television projects during a career that has spanned over 50 years. 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. His mother, Aileen Eaton, promoted fights at the Olympic Auditorium and was the first woman inducted into the International Boxing Hall of . One day in. The Toughest Man Alive: Gene LeBell: 9780953176670: Amazon.com: Books 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. LeBell established himself as a martial artist long before he moved to Hollywood. However, Tarantino disputes this claim. 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. LeBell also worked on over 1,000 movies and TV shows [1] and authored 12 books. 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.