LeBell!!! 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. Well deserved my hat is off to you sir!!! 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. "The great Gene Lebell, toughest man I know, has passed away and left us at the age of 89," Rutten wrote. [2] He worked on over 1,000 films and TV shows and authored 12 books. There he found quick success.
UFC news: 'Judo' Gene LeBell dead at 89; MMA community mourns Gene LeBell - MMA & Wrestling Pioneer - Passes Away At 89 - TheMix.net 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. For 89 years, few did that work better than Judo Gene LeBell. ", "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. He worked on over 1,000 movies and wrote a dozen books. There has also been rumors that the unconscious Seagal may have soiled himself.
Bruce Lee Scene in Once Upon A Time in Hollywood Was Inspired By Gene Why Are American Teens So Unhappy? Congratulations very well deserved! Mahalo Christopher Chabriel, Congratulations MEAN GENE!!! "[24], Seagal bodyguard and stuntman Steven Lambert, stated he was present and said that a confrontation did happen. To quote C.S. 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. Steven Seagal was a highly trained aikido expert and because of this, he would proclaim to the world that he was immune to choking. LeBell served as the referee for the exhibition match between world heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali and Antonio Inoki on June 26, 1976, at . Gene LeBell has three children Monica, Danny, and David.
"Judo" Gene LeBell | The Godfather of Grappling Within seconds, Savage fell unconscious and LeBell was declared the winner. A professional stuntman and actor, LeBell appeared in over 1,000 films and TV shows, and authored 12 books. Im honored to know you! "Judo" Gene LeBell the "Godfather of Grappling" was both a renowned ex-world champion in both wrestling/judo, and one of Hollywood's busiest stuntmen. [7], LeBell was requested to confirm the story publicly in an interview with Ariel Helwani in 2012, but he avoided answering the question, albeit implying that the incident was true. Lee was especially interested in exploring grappling with help from him and exchanged ideas[19] on various fighting techniques. The Ploys and Tactics Behind Oscar Campaigning, A Secret Laundromat Meetup, New Jersey Episode 4, and Potomac Reunion Part 2. [8], After returning to the United States, LeBell competed as a heavyweight. Allen Lopa, Congrats to a legend!! 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.
Why Gene LeBell's Life Is Like A Movie - TWM+: Sports, Entertainment He had spent time in Japan training at the Kodokan. LeBell was still teaching grappling and doing stunts in his 70s. [7][10] Savage even attempted to sweep the judoka in one instance. Oops. 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 1994, LeBell counted kickboxing champion Benny Urquidez and Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioners the Machado brothers among his training partners. LeBell lived long enough to learn submission wrestling from the likes of Ed Strangler Lewis, study judo in postwar Japan, win the first notable mixed martial arts match in 1963 and then referee the much-hyped but disappointing 1976 proto-MMA showdown between boxer Muhammad Ali and wrestler Antonio Inoki, trade fighting tips and blows with a young Bruce Lee on the set of The Green Hornet, allegedly choke out martial-arts action star Steven Seagal on the set of Out for Justice in 1991, and even decline an invitation to the early Ultimate Fighting Championship events when he and 82-year-old jujitsu pioneer Hlio Gracie couldnt settle on a fighting weight.
Who was 'Judo' Gene LeBell? Martial artist, 89, was the - MEAWW Here's What Really Happened When Bruce Lee Fought A - TheThings 'The Godfather of Grappling' evolved to be a popular figure in the martial arts world after he extended to various other forms of sports, including judo and mixed martial arts.
Gene LeBell Had A Hilarious Response To That Famous Steven - Looper [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]. 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. For a time, he took on a role as "policeman" for the organization, helping to maintain order.
LeBell, Gene [WorldCat Identities] Ill never forget that moment, congratulations brother. Im proud to be a friend of yours for over 50 years. At 12 LeBell took up judo. 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? Theres way too much to say to even begin to scratch the surface of the career and life Gene lived, wrote the Stuntmans Association of Motion Pictures in a statement to Variety. Black Belt EXCLUSIVE. Ivan Gene LeBell (born October 9, 1932) is an American martial artist, instructor, stunt performer, and professional wrestler born in Los Angeles, California. Bruce and I had a bond with the martial arts, and we would get together frequently. Along the way, his list of big-name collaborators, students, and opponents became as packed as his CV; in addition to Lee, . He was a man that no endeavor was too tall for him to accomplish, Josh Barnett said of LeBell.
You are a true living legend. Osu J.J. Perry, Gene, Ill never forget the time on set, when you let me try and choke you out.
The Legendary Gene LeBell Passes Away at 89 - Wrestling Headlines Aloha, Brian Keaulana, Congratulations Gene! 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. Ronda Rousey, Bryan Danielson, and many more idolized the . All the best! In 2000, the United States Ju-Jitsu Federation (USJJF) promoted him to 9th Dan in jujitsu and taihojutsu. Well deserved. Your positivity and generosity knows no limit. Gene LeBell was born on October 9, 1932. 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. An additional stipulation prevented LeBell from attempting tackles or takedowns under the waist. Gene LeBell was born on October 09, 1932 in Los Angeles, California, United States, is Stunts, Actor, Miscellaneous Crew. 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. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG), Former UFC Heavyweight Champion Josh Barnett, talks about Judo Gene LeBell during a celebration of LeBells life on what would have been his 90th birthday at Hayastan MMA Academy in North Hollywood Sunday, October 9, 2022.
Legend Gene LeBell's Life Is Set To Be Made Into A Book And Film 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. 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. Grand Master Leg Locks by Gokor Chivichyan. After his competitive career, Gene LeBell and his brother Mike would run the National Wrestling Alliance's Los Angeles region between 1968 and 1982. It was LeBells first movieland lesson: Always let the star win. LeBells wrestling fortunes variedhis brother Mike told Sports Illustrated in 1995 that he had fired Gene on several occasions, noting that sometimes even I thought he was crazybut his career continued its upward trajectory as he moved into the Hollywood stunt work that would see him participating in thousands of projects over the years. 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. He popularized grappling in pro-fighting circles and had a famous run-in with Steven Seagal. 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. We couldnt prouder. "Judo" Gene LeBell the "Godfather of Grappling" is both a renowned ex-world champion in both wrestling/judo, and one of Hollywood's busiest stuntmen. It is with a heavy heart that we recognize our past member and friend, Mr. Gene LeBell, has passed on. Michael Hughes, Thank you for being such an influence and inspiration to MANY! LeBell, who also authored more than 12 books on martial arts that simultaneously chronicled his storied career, is survived by his wife Eleanor, children Monica and David, stepchildren Danny and Stacy, and grandchildren Daniel, Tyler and Nicholas. It couldnt go to a better man. His career bore that out. Gene's funeral will be private for immediate family only. LeBell is also a writer and has penned a dozen books on martial arts. Hardcover - January 1, 2004. The boxer's side demanded a stipulation in which the smaller and older Savage (Savage was 39 while LeBell was 31 at the date of the fight) could use any type of punch, while the judoka could not kick, in the apparent belief LeBell was a karateka. A video shown at the memorial featured many of his accomplishments from the stunt and martial arts world, evoking smiles, laughter and tears that had many in the crowd wiping their eyes.