[7] LeBell took up catch wrestling under Ed "Strangler" Lewis at age 7, and later moved to train in judo. It is alleged that as soon as LeBell placed his arms around Seagal's neck and Seagal said "go" that LeBell choked him unconscious. 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. [6], Ivan Gene LeBell was born in Los Angeles, California. "My . You were a better reference than SAG! [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. We worked out about 10 to 12 times at his place in Los Angeles Chinatown and at my place.. August 18 | 2022. blackbeltmag.com. Gregg Smrz, So well deserved! Savanah Dawn Lilley, The one and only Uncle Gene! A industry standard, and great human being! Black Belt EXCLUSIVE. Erik Stabenau, Congratulations Gene. Michael Nesbitt, Congratulations, judo Gene LeBell Tony Epperson, Congratulations! Mahalo Christopher Chabriel, Congratulations MEAN GENE!!! Some have pointed out that LeBell making easy work of Lee on set may have inspired the scene in Quentin Tarantinos Once Upon a Time in Hollywood in which Brad Pitt, playing veteran stuntman Cliff Booth, has his way with Bruce Lee (played by actor and martial artist Mike Moh) in an on-set sparring match. Weve worked together for over (50) years and its been (50) years of pure delight. 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. [7][10] Savage even attempted to sweep the judoka in one instance. The Toughest Man Alive. Sammy Horowitz, Congratulations Gene, its about time you were acknowledged for your amazing contribution to the stunt world. 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. He was born in Los Angeles, California. 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. "LeBell parlayed his pain-inducing skills into careers in martial arts, professional wrestling and Hollywood stunt work, making him the ultimate a**-kicking Renaissance man. Unfortunately, Bruce Lee passed away a few years later in 1973. Jim Winburn, Long time coming Papa Gene. American judoka and martial arts instructor (19322022), "The Hangman (wrestler)" redirects here. [20], LeBell is associated with Gokor Chivichyan's Hayastan MMA Academy where he taught grappling classes. [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. Freddy Bouceigues, No one deserves this more then you uncle Gene. You are a true living legend! Congratulations my brother!!! [10], The loss by Savage, the hometown favorite, caused the crowd to react violently. [30], LeBell and Ginsburgs were former friends and business partners of Hall. [7] According to fellow BJJ artist Royce Gracie, LeBell was invited to compete in Ultimate Fighting Championship in early 1995, after Gracie stopped participating in its tournaments. 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. So happy for you. He deserves this award. Afterwards, attracted by better potential earnings and the family's legacy in the business, LeBell transitioned to professional wrestling. His mother, Aileen Eaton, promoted fights at the Olympic Auditorium and was the first woman inducted into the International Boxing Hall of . Love you brother congratulations! For a time, he took on a role as "policeman" for the organization, helping to maintain order. His notable students include Rousey, WWE Hall of Famer Roddy Piper, and Chuck Norris, among others. Stuntman Gene LeBell might not have been around since Hollywood's first fist fight, but his skill has transformed the genre. 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. 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. Judo Gene!!! People gather to celebrate the life of Judo Gene LeBell on what would have been his 90th birthday at Hayastan MMA Academy in North Hollywood Sunday, October 9, 2022. Mike Smith, Congratulations on this most deserving award for a really great guy. [citation needed], While serving as stunt coordinator for the film Out for Justice, starring Steven Seagal, Seagal stated that due to his aikido training he was 'immune' to being choked unconscious. Its great having such a role model to look up to. David would look at me glassy eyed and say No you dont! [2] judo. So, congratulation Gene LeBell from the Winburn families for receiving the Taurus Lifetime Achievement Award. He is a two time AAU National Judo Champion and he was a professional wrestling world heavyweight champion . On August 7, 2004, the World Martial Arts Masters Association promoted him to 10th degree. The Cauliflower Alley Club presented the award. Gene has trained with numerous other world champion martial artists includingChuck Norris,Bill Wallace, andBenny Urquidez. [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. LeBell also gained notoriety for the way he dealt with the notoriously eccentric and aggressive Steven Seagal on the set of the 1991 film Out for Justice. He sparred with James Cagney while shooting "Blood on the Sun" in 1945, allowing the famous actor to dominate the 20-minute skirmish which . We ask all these burning questions, and more! Gary Davis, So awesome!!! Tim Gilbert, This tribute is well deserved. Ronda Rousey, Bryan Danielson, and many more idolized the . In 2004, Gene Lebell was promoted to 10th degree black belt in those arts. After an illustrious judo career, Gene tried his hand at professional wrestling, and actually won the heavyweight title in Amarillo, Texas. (James C. Udel, Variety, 2018), Gene started training in judo at a young age, and at the age of 20 in 1954, he won National AAU Heavyweight Judo Championship and the USA Overall Judo Championship title. LeBell was 89 years old. LeBell recalled in his 2005 autobiography, The Godfather of Grappling meeting Lee on the set of The Green Hornet TV series. An agreement was reached for the match to last five rounds, each lasting three minutes. 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. Scott Wilder, Thank you Sensei for paving the way for martial artists in this biz! 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!!! Never ever have I known a man so talented, having so much wisdom and experience, so giving of his knowledge and skills and yet being so humble. Bruce Lee. Ivan "Judo" Gene LeBell (October 9, 1932 - August 9, 2022) was an American martial artist, stunt performer, actor, and professional wrestler. LeBell, whom many credit for bringing judo into mixed martial arts, served as a mentor to former UFC champion Ronda Rousey throughout her MMA run, but his roots run much deeper. It has been alleged that at some point LeBell heard about the claim and gave Seagal the opportunity to prove it. You always tried to get me to go dirt biking with you but I never gave in. "[22] After being asked whether he was not going to directly confirm it, LeBell said: "Well, if thirty people are watching, let them talk about it. The program featured several other martial artists including Graciela Casilas, Karen Sheperd, Victor Ledbetter, Steve Sanders, brothers Benny and Reuben Urquidez, and Dave Vaden. In addition to spending extensive time in the world of . God Bless you Gene and your lovely wife and thanks you for all the things you taught me. You truly are a one-off, a living legend. [27] He also did interviews for magazines, newspapers, and radio. The damage inflicted definitely favored Inoki, who battered Alis legs sufficiently that the Greatest struggled with his mobility in a fight against Ken Norton later that year, but LeBellwho had Inoki slightly ahead on his own scorecard, per the account in journalist Josh Grosss book Ali vs. Inoki: The Forgotten Fight That Inspired Mixed Martial Arts and Launched Sports Entertainmentchose to deduct points for an illegal groin strike, thus affording Ali a split-decision draw that showcased how dull MMA could get without the appropriate rules in place. Hans Gutknecht has been a photojournalist at the Los Angeles Daily News since 1992. LeBell authored at least twelve books, including: On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Chuck Norris. In 2000, the United States Ju-Jitsu Federation (USJJF) promoted him to 9th Dan in jujitsu and taihojutsu. 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. Christian Fletcher, Congratulations Gene! If I have seen further it has been by standing on the shoulders of giants like you!! Congratulations! 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. LeBell was also hired for stunt work with Lee on The Green Hornet.. 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. Gene is survived by his wife Midge, his children Monica and David; stepchildren Danny and Stacey; and grandchildren Daniel, Tyler and Nicholas. After winning amateur national competitions in judo, LeBell decided to make the switch to pro wrestling as it offered more lucrative earnings. LeBell has also worked on over 1,000 films and TV shows and has authored 12 books. 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. It wasnt exactly an elite-level boxer facing down a grappler, but it did offer a variation on the Ultimate Fighting Championship model that LeBells long-time acquaintances, the Gracie family, would partner with Bob Meyrowitz to launch in 1993right down to the initial audience confusion and cautious feeling-out process between the athletes.
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