[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. Instead of being hit first, it was LeBell who would put Bruce Lee in a headlock and carry him around the set. Ivan Gene LeBell (October 9, 1932 - August 9, 2022) was an American martial artist, instructor, stunt performer, and professional wrestler. At the insistence of friend and martial artist, Ed Parker, Gene LeBell accepted the challenge match and travelled to Utah to fight Beck. [7][8], Following his combat sports career, LeBell, along with his brother Mike, ran the National Wrestling Alliance's Los Angeles territory, NWA Hollywood Wrestling, from 1968 to 1982. He is a two time AAU National Judo Champion and he was a professional wrestling world heavyweight champion . He had spent time in Japan training at the Kodokan. Sandra Brumfield Avo, Gene is as it has been said amongst the fight world..is the Toughest Man. Congratulations, Connie P Conrad Palmisano, Congratulations Uncle Gene for receiving the lifetime award. 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. He was a Nevada and California Athletic Commission judge. "[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. Bruce and I had a bond with the martial arts, and we would get together frequently. LeBell!!! Judo is wrestling with handles, he told Black Belt magazine in 1994. Love and Respect John C Meier, Gene, I first met you at the Olympic Auditorium many years ago, i cant believe how fast time has past, As a Great stuntman, Actor, Olympian and Teacher being Prolific to this Business you have planted many many seeds in Future Stunt men and stunt women, because of your thoughtful and kind hart this business will be Blessed with talent worthy of calling you Teacher and Friend, Your Long Lost, Brother From Another Mother, and Friend, Love You, Henry Kingi, Uncle GeneI can remember taking your class when I was a young stunt grunt. As a stuntman, Gene has worked on more than 1000 film and television projects during a career that has spanned over 50 years. At four months old (April 1941), the Lee family returned to Hong Kong. Michael Nesbitt, Congratulations, judo Gene LeBell Tony Epperson, Congratulations! 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. There is no one alive on this planet that deserves this Life Time Achievement Award more than you. Humbled to be 1 of many. Neil Melanson is an American submission grappling coach. Here's What Really Happened When Bruce Lee Fought A - TheThings (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG), Former UFC Champion and WWE star Ronda Rousey talks 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. Its about time. A tribute to the late martial artist, stuntman, actor and pro wrestler Gene LeBell. . Gene LeBell had three children including stuntman son David LeBell and FBI agent daughter Monica LeBell Pandis. In addition to Bruce Lee and Chuck Norris, LeBell also tutored the likes of Roddy Piper (who claimed in his autobiography to have received a black belt in judo from LeBell, though this is likely as spurious as the impossible-to-verify Golden Gloves championship he was sometimes reported as having won), Olympic bronze medalist judoka and future UFC and WWE star Ronda Rousey (who always cited him as an important mentor), American judo champion and instructor Gokor Chivichyan, and Chivichyans Armenian American judo student Karo Parisyan, one of the first notable judo practitioners in the UFC. 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. 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. 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. Gene LeBell would ultimately choke his opponent unconscious after a tentative start to the match. 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. Nicknamed "The Godfather of Grappling", he popularized grappling in professional fighting circles, serving as a precursor to modern mixed martial arts. As wellback in the day..i drove out to ride motos with Gene & some friends at his area in Frazier Park. A half-century ago, Pink Floyd unleashed a classic that still lingers on the Billboard charts and in college dorms to this day. 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. For most of Eatons time in the business, she was the only major female fight promoter in the United States, possibly even the world. Gene LeBell had three children including stuntman son David LeBell and FBI . (James C. Udel, Variety, 2018), The remarkable Judo Gene LeBell was still teaching grappling and doing stunts well into his 80s. Gene has trained with numerous other world champion martial artists includingChuck Norris,Bill Wallace, andBenny Urquidez. Youve not only accomplished a great name in our industry but many,many brothers and sister stunt people that admire and love you very much. When he entered the 1954 AAU National Judo championship as a lightly regarded 160-pound heavyweight, he pinned 1952 Pan American Games gold medalist Johnny Osako in his first match, then went on to win both his weight class as well as the overall tournament. 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. Brad Curran June 8, 2018 Interviews. God bless. He was also a Nevada and California Athletic Commission judge, including judging UFC 74 (Randy Couture vs. Gabriel Gonzaga) and his website judogene.com is visited by martial arts and film fans all over the globe. David Burton, Congrats Gene LeBell great job well done Grover Gay, Congrats Gene LeBell! Michael Hughes, Thank you for being such an influence and inspiration to MANY! So they said I could make good money in professional wrestling, which I did. He worked on over 1,000 movies and wrote a dozen books. 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. Best to You Gene !! 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. [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. Sat 9th Apr 2022 19.30 BST. 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. Bottles, chairs, and other debris were thrown into the ring. (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. if thirty people are watching, let them talk about it. LeBell was still teaching grappling and doing stunts in his 70s. A true legend with a legacy of amazing stunt history. 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. 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. Gene LeBell, iconic martial arts pioneer, dies at the age of 89 After an illustrious judo career, Gene tried his hand at professional wrestling, and actually won the heavyweight title in Amarillo, Texas. [2] He worked on over 1,000 films and TV shows and authored 12 books. Afterwards, attracted by better potential earnings and the family's legacy in the business, LeBell transitioned to professional wrestling. Ross Clay, Gene is the most unselfish and most giving person I know. At Hayastan MMA Academy, the focus is to teach our students a variety of Martial Art disciplines - We specialize in Judo, Sambo, Wrestling, Gi and No Gi Grappling, Boxing, Kickboxing and MMA. A brief google of you name brings up pages and pages of awesome stories about what youve really accomplished in so many fields. LeBell served as the referee for the exhibition match between world heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali and Antonio Inoki on June 26, 1976, at . 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 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. Challenge coins, decorated with an image of LeBell, were sold for donations, which raised more than $2,000. "Judo" Gene LeBelle Passes Away At Age 89 | Rajah.com Other recordings discovered had ties to the presidential campaign of Richard Nixon. All my love and respect Pat Romano, Ya ya Uncle Gene , to one of the Gilberts favorite people . Alan Oliney, Hey Gene, Thanks for being a four-star mentor to so many and thanks for being Gene Lebell. Well deserved. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG), Former UFC Champion and WWE star Ronda Rousey talks about her friend and mentor Judo Gene LeBell during a celebration of his life on what would have been his 90th birthday at Hayastan MMA Academy in North Hollywood Sunday, October 9, 2022. I have grown up idolizing many of the SU members over the yearsGenes massive career and list of credits is insane. Neil Melanson The athletic youngster tested himself with such self-imposed challenges as scaling 60-foot-high lighting stanchions to replace spent bulbs. Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), The late Judo Gene LeBells 90th birthday is celebrated by 200 friends, students, family, Year after the slap, Chris Rock punches back in new special, At least 5 hurt, suspect at large in San Pedro shooting, Snowed-in Crestline residents make the best of it with volunteers, booze, San Bernardino mountain residents grow worried as they cant access medicine, supplies, Gene LeBell, iconic martial arts pioneer, dies at the age of 89, How Victor Henry found himself making his UFC debut Saturday at age 34, She will hurt you: Ronda Rousey, 24, owns it in MMA ring, UFC 199: Mauro Ranallo, Bas Rutten offer Inside MMA perspectives, UFC heavyweight Josh Barnett looks to keep climbing ranks, California Republicans give a boost to Florida Gov. #246C,Beverly, MA 01915,United States. Judo Gene LeBell has died at age 89 - Cageside Seats I was always jealous that you could ride a wheelie so much better than me. 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. He taught me how to fight, taught me how to ride. He was acquitted and continued performing stunts for the big and small screen, alike. 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. Gene LeBell was promoted to 9th degree in jujitsu and taihojutsu in 2000 by the United States Ju-Jitsu (USJJF) Ju Jitsu Federation. 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. [8], In 1963, LeBell became involved with a challenge by boxer and writer Jim Beck to the practitioners of Japanese martial arts. Don't miss a beat. By entering your email and clicking Sign Up, you're agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners.