LeBell!!! His career bore that out. We cant have blood! Gaffer tape stanched the bleeding, and LeBell managed six more takes. Billy Robinson. (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. He has fought, trained and performed with a dizzying array of some of the most prolific athletes and actors in the world. The Savage camp claimed they did not know the difference. The two became close friends, but the actors untimely death stymied LeBells chance for future speaking parts. LeBell served as the inspiration for Brad Pitt's character in Quentin Tarantino's "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.. A true legend with a legacy of amazing stunt history. While working with rising martial arts star Bruce Lee on the set of The Green Hornet, LeBell was instructed by the stunt coordinator to subdue the actorwho was said to be terrorizing the stuntman for a particular sceneand did so by quickly grabbing Lee in a firemans carry and running around the set with him. LeBell is back in the limelight on the 50th anniversary of what's considered the first notable mixed martial arts fight in the United States, even though the term wasn't used: His Dec. 2, 1963 . LeBell earned the upset win via an osaekomi. All the best! "The great Gene Lebell, toughest man I know, has passed away and left us at the age of 89," Rutten wrote. Humbled to be 1 of many. Gene, I appreciate the things youve accomplished in life, and acknowledge your generosity to those you have helped to achieve theirs. LeBell has worked on over 1000 TV Show and Film projects. So happy for you. He had spent time in Japan training at the Kodokan. He was highly respected by many martial artists all over the world, and has been considered a ground breaker in many aspects of the art of grappling. Two hundred of his friends, students, and family gathered at Hayastan MMA Academy in North. Featuring "Judo" Gene LeBell's champion student "The Armenian Assassin" Gokor Chivichyan and friends." . After getting his black belt, he went to Japan to train in judo at the Kodokan. Mickey Gilbert, Ill never forget working with Gene in Minneapolis for David Ellis. May we all continue to learn from you and strive to reach the heights youve reached. In 1994, LeBell counted kickboxing champion Benny Urquidez and Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioners the Machado brothers among his training partners. 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. In 2004, Gene Lebell was promoted to 10th degree black belt in those arts. 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. Answer (1 of 12): Well It seems to be a bit of a controversy about this. [2] He worked on over 1,000 films and TV shows and authored 12 books. A student of catch wrestling titans Lou Thesz, Karl Gotch, and Ed "Strangler" Lewis, LeBell's notable students include Bruce Lee, Chuck Norris, Benny "The Jet" Urquidez, "Rowdy" Roddy Piper and Ronda Rousey. [citation needed], On March 23, 1991, LeBell was awarded the Honorary "Reel" Membership by the Ring of Friendship of the Cauliflower Alley Club. A professional stuntman and actor, LeBell appeared in over 1,000 films and TV shows, and authored 12 books. J.N. 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. At the insistence of friend and martial artist, Ed Parker, Gene LeBell accepted the challenge match and travelled to Utah to fight Beck. (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. I love you Gene and I am very proud of your accomplishments in our business. FLASH SALE - Buy 1 video get 40% OFF - COUPON40, Buy 2 videos get 43% OFF - COUPON43, Buy 3 or more videos get 45% OFF - COUPON45. Those were great times !! Mike Bohn. Michael Hilow, Congratulations to the prettiest man in Hollywood, and the reason the phrase Bad Ass was created.. No one is more deserving than my buddy, and everyones Uncle.. Uncle Gene! In 2000, the United States Ju-Jitsu Federation (USJJF) promoted him to 9th Dan in jujitsu and taihojutsu. Anil Rai, Congratulations Mr. 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. Your culture and entertainment cheat-sheet. Over the course of this six-decade career, LeBell had a hand in training many prominent players in the entertainment, wrestling, and MMA worlds. In the stunt world, I get a pretty doggone good retirement from SAG and AFTRAand I can still work.. Will Bowman, Well deserved! Within seconds, Savage fell unconscious and LeBell was declared the winner. Love, Greg & Barbie Barnett, Youve been my hero my entire career. I made very good money, and it led me into a career in stunt work.. It will be donated to St. Jude Childrens Hospital, Southern California, in honor of LeBell. LeBell, preferring to let others do the talking for him, told MMA journalist Ariel Helwani in 2012 that if thirty people are watching, let them talk about it.. 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. Way to go Uncle Gene!!! 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. [8] Gene also wrestled under a black mask as The Hangman, teaming up with Roy Staggs. 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 guys in the business. As soon as he landed, LeBell used a foot sweep to sweep Seagal off the floor, with Seagal landing on his back. Beck claimed that a boxer could defeat any martial artist in a straight fight and offered $1000 to anyone who could prove otherwise. 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. In a story worthy of the detective novels of Raymond Chandler, LeBell, who drove California pornography magnate Jack Ginsburgs to the murder scene, was acquitted on a murder charge but convicted and sentenced to probation as an accessory for his role in transporting Ginsburgs to the murdera conviction later overturned by the California Court of Appeals in a heavily fact-dependent decision based on careful interpretation of state rules of evidence rather than any new proof of LeBells innocence. I feel honored to say Ive never been choked out by the legend Gene LaBellI consider you a true friend. OSU! Gene LeBell was a man who lived a full and adventurous life. LeBell even awarded Piper a legitimate Black Belt in Judo . Ill be there to shake your hand tomorrow. [20], LeBell is associated with Gokor Chivichyan's Hayastan MMA Academy where he taught grappling classes. The latter then accepted, but only if LeBell could drop 100 pounds to reach his weight, otherwise he would have to face Royce's brothers, similarly 20 years younger than LeBell though still lighter than him. Chuck & Charlotte Waters, Special man and amazing human being, so deserving of this recognition. Joseph Davis, Gene is truly a genuine Good person and a great friend. He taught me how to fight, taught me how to ride. Bob Debbie Hennessey, Congrats Gene. Wear this Award well my friend. There he found quick success. Bruce Lee. Part of HuffPost Entertainment. Inside Hall's residence police discovered hours of wire-tapped recordings, some of which led to the resignation of the Beverly Hills police department chief of police. Known by many as "the Godfather of Grappling", LeBell helped make the grappling arts like Judo, Wrestling, and Jiu Jitsu popular in professional fighting circles. He was 89. I had a 2-stroke so i had to unload at an area specifiedthe 4-strokes rode the streets to the mountains and riding area.As i was driving my bike in my pick-up.Gene passed me standing on the seat of his XR doin a wheelieGene is an Amazing man.Open arms.. to a choke-out! If you want to do a whizzer throw in wrestling, its the same as an uchimata [inner thigh throw] in judo. Well deserved. You were a better reference than SAG! He started training in catch wrestling and boxing from his early childhood, influenced by his mother, "Red Head" Aileen Eaton, a promoter of both sports who owned the Olympic Auditorium in Los Angeles. Gary Goltz. Awesome Steve Picerni. [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. Please enter a valid email and try again. Gene Lebell, who had an acting and stunt career that stretched from The Adventures of Ozzie . Im honored to know you! The godfather of modern grappling and a legitimate tough guy in his own right, LeBell. Stoked I get to make it this year. He believed in me which made me believe in myself. As a stuntman, LeBell reportedly endured a punch from John Wayne for the 1952 film Big Jim McLain and a kick in the face from Elvis Presley for Blue Hawaii in 1961. A lot of fighters are broke. When he arrived, Gene LeBell learned that he would not be fighting Beck, but instead a much more well-known boxer in Milo Savage. Best to You Gene !! LeBell would win the match osaekomi where the practitioner pins the opponent for a specified amount of time earning the victory. [26], The pink colored judo gi became a trademark of LeBell and was a result of a laundry mixup while preparing for a competition in Japan. Enjoyed reading about Gene Lebell? If you saw Quentin Tarantino's . Mike Smith, Congratulations on this most deserving award for a really great guy. Gene LeBell was born on October 9, 1932. Beck engaged in abundant trash-talk, but revealed a very limited knowledge of martial arts, seemingly mistaking judo for karate. Craig Frosty Silva, Gene LeBell What can anybody tell you about Gene LeBell? I was always jealous that you could ride a wheelie so much better than me. The only thing I have against MMA is they dont have a retirement plan. Steven Seagal was a highly trained aikido expert and because of this, he would proclaim to the world that he was immune to choking. He will always be my Stunt Senei. ", "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.

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