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He popularized grappling in pro-fighting circles and had a famous run-in with Steven Seagal. Gene was an actor and stuntman in Hollywood productions for over fifty years with more than 150 acting credits and 250 stunt credits. Mickey Gilbert, Ill never forget working with Gene in Minneapolis for David Ellis. Legend Gene LeBell's Life Is Set To Be Made Into A Book And Film August 10, 2022 1:24pm. The program featured several other martial artists including Graciela Casilas, Karen Sheperd, Victor Ledbetter, Steve Sanders, brothers Benny and Reuben Urquidez, and Dave Vaden. "My name is Gene LeBell. LeBells top student, Gokor Chivichyan, hosted the event at his martial arts academy to celebrate the life of his mentor and close friend. McCarthy, veteran actress Karen Black and legendary wrestling and martial arts teacher famous for Bruce Lee and Chuck Norris. It will be donated to St. Jude Childrens Hospital, Southern California, in honor of LeBell. Heavyweight and Overall Judo Championships in 1954, and again in 1955 - long before Judo became an Olympic sport and was broadly appreciated in the western world. The Life & Times of Gene LeBell - Black Belt Magazine With respect, Missy OMalley-Reynolds, Uncle Gene, Thanks for never burning our house down. Gene LeBell - Alchetron, The Free Social Encyclopedia [18], LeBell has worked on over 1,000 films, TV shows and commercials as a stuntman or as an actor (including multiple appearances as himself). You have definitely earned it for all your contributions to the industry. (Gene LeBell Biography), LeBell transitioned from amateur to AAU national judo champ in 1954 and catapulted to national attention but as a pro wrestler, playing Hank the Hangman; he made a living by losing every match. Lance Gilbert, Gene , you are surely deserving of this achievement even though your humility wont allow you to agree with us. His career bore that out. [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. [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. Gene LeBell, a renowned stuntman who trained Bruce Lee and inspired the likes of Quentin Tarantino, died in his sleep Tuesday morning at his home in Sherman Oaks, California, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Blessed if you know him, crazy fun guy. For a time, he took on a role as "policeman" for the organization, helping to maintain order. According to the Hollywood Reporter, famed stunt performer Gene LeBell died on August 9 at the age of 89. Sammy Horowitz, Congratulations Gene, its about time you were acknowledged for your amazing contribution to the stunt world. In 2004, Gene Lebell was promoted to 10th degree black belt in those arts. 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. You may have seen his name in the credits of countless movies and television shows dating back to the late 1960's. You may have caught the "Godfather of Grappling" in one of his matches in the world of professional wrestling, you may know him as the "toughest man on the . Please enter a valid email and try again. Tim Gilbert, This tribute is well deserved. His notable students include Rousey, WWE Hall of Famer Roddy Piper, and Chuck Norris, among others. In the the Quentin Tarantino film "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood", Bruce Lee was made to look as an arrogant martial arts actor. Influential combat sports icon "Judo" Gene LeBell has died at 89. Judo Gene LeBell was famous for his catch wrestling technique that later became an influence in both pro wrestling and mixed martial arts. Gary Davis, So awesome!!! Congratulations Gene LeBell! 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. 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. Ed Lewis. Gene LeBell Dead: Stuntman, Actor And Wrestling Legend Was 89 - Deadline Since Hayastan MMA Academy first opened its door, it has been one of the top gyms in the world. There he found quick success. He was born there on November 27, 1940, making him a dual Hong Kong and United States citizen by birth. So they said I could make good money in professional wrestling, which I did. 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. Few people know the amount of time, energy, dedication, innovation , and pure love you have graced us with in your illustrious career! (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. Congratulations Uncle Gene! 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. And later on, there is discussion of whether or not double-dipping is an acceptable way to eat! Alan Oliney, Hey Gene, Thanks for being a four-star mentor to so many and thanks for being Gene Lebell. Instructed through brutal tutorials by professional wrestlers and old-school masters, he developed adult skills by 13. August 18 | 2022. blackbeltmag.com. "The great Gene Lebell, toughest man I know, has passed away and left us at the age of 89," Rutten wrote. He would also occasionally wrestle in a disguise as The Hangman. Congrats to the amazing living legend John Stoneham, Jr. Congratulations Gene, you know I love you, and Im so very very proud of you. Along the way, his list of big-name collaborators, students, and opponents became as packed as his CV; in addition to Lee, . 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. It has been an honor to work with you ,and see how much you have done, over the years. Anil Rai, Congratulations Mr. thank you so much for all the encouragement over all these decades . "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. Gene is survived by his wife Midge, his children Monica and David; stepchildren Danny and Stacey; and grandchildren Daniel, Tyler and Nicholas. He sparred with James Cagney while shooting Blood on the Sun in 1945, allowing the famous actor to dominate the 20-minute skirmish which garnered rave reviews. Congratulations, Connie P Conrad Palmisano, Congratulations Uncle Gene for receiving the lifetime award. Gene LeBell was born on October 9, 1932. LeBell!!! It must be said at this stage that . At the insistence of friend and martial artist, Ed Parker, Gene LeBell accepted the challenge match and travelled to Utah to fight Beck. However, Tarantino disputes this claim. [10] Also, according to LeBell and other sources, Savage's gloves contained brass knuckles[9][10] and he had greased up his gi with vaseline to make gripping it more difficult. [12] Finally, he performed a left harai goshi in the fourth round and followed by locking a rear naked choke. Hardcover - January 1, 2004. So, congratulation Gene LeBell from the Winburn families for receiving the Taurus Lifetime Achievement Award. Some of his most famous students were, Ronda Rousey, Sugar Ray Robinson,. Ill never forget that moment, congratulations brother. Congratulations Gene Eric Norris, Gene LeBell is my hero and always has been. Gene LeBell won his weight class and the overall championship in 1955 as well. Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic both had 40-point games after the Sixers loss against the Mavs. We are incredibly sad to report that our hero, dear friend and Stunts Unlimited brother passed away yesterday, August 9th, 2022 at the age of 89. Gene LeBell was chosen for the match out of over 200 candidates. 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. The athletic youngster tested himself with such self-imposed challenges as scaling 60-foot-high lighting stanchions to replace spent bulbs. Osu J.J. Perry, Gene, Ill never forget the time on set, when you let me try and choke you out. So happy for you. Those were great times !! Hollywood stuntman and martial artist Gene LeBell has died. This award is only given to a select few. But whats the legacy of the blockbuster album? Why Gene LeBell's Life Is Like A Movie - TWM+: Sports, Entertainment We ask all these burning questions, and more! Jim Winburn, Long time coming Papa Gene. Best Hugh Aodh OBrien, All Rights Reserved.Web design by My Life at Speed Digital Services, Stan Barrett, Paul Newman, and Breaking Land Speed Records, Annual Stunts Unlimited Directory Membership Payment, The Stunts Unlimited Directory Membership 20% Off Promotion, actor and stuntman in Hollywood productions, https://stuntsunlimited.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Jon-Boucher-One-of-my-personal-favorite-Gene-Lebell-television-appearances-as-Tarzan-McGirk-taking-on-the-mysterious-Masked-Marvel-on-an-episode-of-The-Munsters..mp4, In Loving Memory of Judo Gene LeBell, 1932-2022. Eager to claim the $1,000 purseId fight my grandmother for $1,000, but shed have beaten me, LeBell saidthe judoka found himself facing not Beck but Savage, who not only was an accomplished professional boxer but a man with a solid knowledge of wrestling fundamentals. Gene LeBell had three children including stuntman son David LeBell and FBI . Besides being a boxer, Milo Savage also had a background in wrestling. Chris Pellitteri, Mr. Gene LeBell ; Thank you for your kindness and wisdom over the years. You always tried to get me to go dirt biking with you but I never gave in. 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. 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 . Wrestlers & MMA stars pay tribute to Gene LeBell. Bruce Lee. LeBell recalled in his 2005 autobiography, The Godfather of Grappling meeting Lee on the set of The Green Hornet TV series. On the day of the match, Savage appeared wearing a karategi instead, much tighter and harder to grab. Gene LeBell reflects on 50th anniversary of first major American mixed LeBell, who spent much of his later years overseeing the National Wrestling Alliance in Los Angeles, was even charged with murder when private investigator Robert Duke Hall was killed in 1976. Are the Lakers dead? Bruce Lee's father Lee Hoi-chuen was a famous Cantonese opera singer based in Hong Kong. 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.