2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. Previously, he was married to Eleanor Martindale between 1975 and 1976, Eileen Murillo (1960), Olga Allen between 1957 until 1959, and Midge LeBell before that. Osu J.J. Perry, Gene, Ill never forget the time on set, when you let me try and choke you out. Sammy Horowitz, Congratulations Gene, its about time you were acknowledged for your amazing contribution to the stunt world. The Ploys and Tactics Behind Oscar Campaigning, A Secret Laundromat Meetup, New Jersey Episode 4, and Potomac Reunion Part 2. He is, and always has been, a perfect example of what a professional stuntman should be and continues to teach and hand down his vast knowledge to all young and old who want to learn. I wont say rest easy because we just dont see that happening with Gene. For most of Eatons time in the business, she was the only major female fight promoter in the United States, possibly even the world. In 2004, Gene Lebell was promoted to 10th degree black belt in those arts. Instead of being hit first, it was LeBell who would put Bruce Lee in a headlock and carry him around the set. Most of his notoriety came after the release of his biggest film, Enter the Dragon, that same year. He is the greatest!! LeBell has also worked on over 1,000 films and TV shows and has authored 12 books. On Sunday, Oct. 9, legendary martial artist and stuntman Judo Gene LeBell would have turned 90. LeBell died in his sleep early Tuesday morning at his home in Sherman Oaks, his trustee and business manager, Kellie Cunningham, told The Hollywood Reporter. Thank you, Mr. LeBell! He is currently the head grappling coach at Jaco Hybrid Training Center.He is the former head grappling coach at both . At 12 LeBell took up judo. We love him! I have ridden on the back of his bike for one of his marathon wheelies.Pine Mtn Club so much fun. His students in those fields included Roddy Piper, Ronda Rousey, and many others. He is the author of 12 martial arts books. Few people know the amount of time, energy, dedication, innovation , and pure love you have graced us with in your illustrious career! David Burton, Congrats Gene LeBell great job well done Grover Gay, Congrats Gene LeBell! He is loved by so many and admired by countless others. I love you Gene and I am very proud of your accomplishments in our business. The promoters were looking for karate and judo bumsvery distinct striking and grappling specialties, though LeBell knew the basics of karateto fight a boxer, whom LeBell assumed would be Jim Beck, a highly regarded amateur who had called out the practitioners of those sports. Gene LeBell in 2010 and with Lindsay Wagner on 'The Bionic Woman' in 1976 GI. Lou Thesz. 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. His second best fight was probably his back and forth battle with 80's and 90's martial arts action star Steven Seagal. whose residence contained hours of phone recordings, was acquitted on a murder charge but convicted and sentenced to probation as an accessory, Bryan Danielson Is the Best Hes Ever Been According to Bryan Danielson, Jon Joness Last Stand, Wembys Ceiling, Jokic Backlash, and UFOs With Ariel Helwani and Chuck Klosterman. Our aim is to create a shop for BJJ Students who don't look at Jiu-Jitsu as a sport - but a lifestyle. Michael Nesbitt, Congratulations, judo Gene LeBell Tony Epperson, Congratulations! [31], On August 9, 2022, LeBell died in his sleep.[32][33]. Other recordings discovered had ties to the presidential campaign of Richard Nixon. And in February, 2005 Gene LeBell was promoted to 9th degree black belt in judo by USJJF. May we all continue to learn from you and strive to reach the heights youve reached. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him, especially us. Jim Winburn, Long time coming Papa Gene. It was a fascinating collection of people mourning too, from the world of pro wrestling, mixed martial arts, acting, and beyond. 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. The pictures above are from the TV show Fall Guy and I told Gene I didnt want to hit him on the bike and he said I dont want you to hit me eitheryou may hurt yourself. Congratulations Gene, you earned this award and no one in this world is taking it away from the Toughest man Alive. Jack Gill. "[21], When Seagal was asked about the incident, he denied the incident took place, calling LeBell a "sick, pathological scumbag liar" and offered the name of a witness who could discredit the other account. Professional wrestler Bas Rutten announced LeBell's death via Facebook, writing, "You will be greatly missed Gene, Bryan Danielson's LeBell Lock was named after the legendary grappler. LeBell's longtime friend Bas Rutten first revealed the news on Facebook. Beck engaged in abundant trash-talk, but revealed a very limited knowledge of martial arts, seemingly mistaking judo for karate. In his book Shooters: The Toughest Men in Professional Wrestling, long-time MMA journalist Jonathan Snowden described LeBell as a horrible professional wrestler from a technical perspective, a tough guy who looked soft in the ring and remained stuck on the undercard of his brother Mike LeBells wrestling events, wrestling under his own name or beneath a mask as the Hangman. He did claim to have won the NWA World Heavyweight Championship in 1960 from Pat OConnor in a match in Dory Funks Amarillo, Texas, territory, repeating this assertion to both Black Belt and Sports Illustrated, but the victory was almost certainly part of a wrestling story line, with LeBell accidentally striking the Texas wrestling commissioner with the belt and forcing its immediate return to OConnor. Gene LeBell was promoted to 9th degree in jujitsu and taihojutsu in 2000 by the United States Ju-Jitsu (USJJF) Ju Jitsu Federation. The belt was immediately seized from the shocked Gene, which in later years would cause him to comment, Well, at least I was the champ for 12 seconds and I retired as champion. (Gene LeBell Biography), Gene went on to fight numerous opponents over the years including practitioners from other fighting arts that scoffed at Genes prowess, however they learned the hard way that Genes superb grappling skills were the real deal. Gene LeBell was a man who lived a full and adventurous life. [5], LeBell has been reported as the inspiration for the character of Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt) in Quentin Tarantino's Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. AEW Revolution Preview, and Whats Going on With Brock, Bray, Bobby, and Omos? So well deserved!! And Thank You for all those Decals and Patches you sent Charlotte and I each Christmas. Gene LeBell began his martial arts training at the age of 13 and went on to become the "Godfather of Grappling" and is considered by many to be the . I am so glad I was there Live to see it ! He taught me how to fight, taught me how to ride. Gene LeBell Record, Net Worth, Weight, Age & More. After his competitive career, Gene LeBell would go on to become a martial arts instructor, a professional wrestler, stunt performer and actor in Los Angeles. The only thing that is different is that judo has strangleholds, which arent done in pro wrestling., Although LeBell considered full-time careers as a boxer and a judoka, the lure of better money in pro wrestling and Hollywood stunt productionsas well as connections to both industriesled him into those fields. After getting his black belt, he went to Japan to train in judo at the Kodokan. Despite this, a man tried to stab LeBell on the way out and the latter had to be protected by the judokas and professional wrestlers who accompanied him. According to the Hollywood Reporter, famed stunt performer Gene LeBell died on August 9 at the age of 89. Mike Massa, Congratulations Gene!! Allen Lopa, Congrats to a legend!! This 1982 homevideo production, introduced by Chuck Norris and narrated by John Saxon, featured LeBell as a car thief and mugger who (in the prologue) accosts Mitsuru Yamashita and Budojujitsu creator Al Thomasmuch to LeBell's regret. He was 89. He repeated this dominant performance in 1955, winning all but one of his 18 matches solely with standing throws. LeBell was also a judo and grappling prodigy. 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. People called him the Toughest Man Alive. Working with Gene on many television and films, I learned how to take judo and marital art punches and kicks and fly through the air, crazing through various objects to the ground . While working at the stunt coordinator for Seagal's film Out for Justice, the two of them met to test Seagal's statement. LeBell was the third man inside the ring of one of the most famous matches in Japanese history and one that had worldwide attention. 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. If I could get my arms around you I would hug you. Way to go Uncle Gene!!! Gene LeBell began his martial arts training at the age of 13 and went on to become the Godfather of Grappling and is considered by many to be the father of MMA. LeBell was selected from over 200 other applicants to referee the bout. An incredible life being rightfully recognized. August 10, 2022 1:24pm. In June 1976, LeBell refereed the infamous boxing-versus-wrestling contest between Muhammad Ali and Antonio Inoki in Tokyo, Japan. According to Lambert, Seagal explained to LeBell that he did not believe his choke hold was effective, and that he could escape from it. He was acquitted and continued performing stunts for the big and small screen, alike. If I have seen further it has been by standing on the shoulders of giants like you!! ( Aubrey Sitterson, rondarousey.com, 2018). 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. Since Hayastan MMA Academy first opened its door, it has been one of the top gyms in the world. Thank you Gene for your friendship over the decades. LeBells years of stunt work and fight choreography also introduced grappling to the world of action movies, where it is now commonplace to see fighters turned actors such as Randy Couture and Gina Carano using submission holds in their action sequences. He worked on over 1,000 movies and wrote a dozen books. His notable students include Rousey, WWE Hall of Famer Roddy Piper, and Chuck Norris, among others. Roberts, Nobody in the world more respected!! LeBell was never a main-event star in wrestling and by even the most generous assessment wasnt exactly a crowd-pleaser in the ring. This match could be argued to be the first televised MMA match in history. They all grew up to be great young men, James is a newspaper writer for various companies, David is a Federal Police Officer and Matthew is an accountant and they all, always talk about the days they train under Gene.
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