In his book Shooters: The Toughest Men in Professional Wrestling, long-time MMA journalist Jonathan Snowden described LeBell as a horrible professional wrestler from a technical perspective, a tough guy who looked soft in the ring and remained stuck on the undercard of his brother Mike LeBells wrestling events, wrestling under his own name or beneath a mask as the Hangman. He did claim to have won the NWA World Heavyweight Championship in 1960 from Pat OConnor in a match in Dory Funks Amarillo, Texas, territory, repeating this assertion to both Black Belt and Sports Illustrated, but the victory was almost certainly part of a wrestling story line, with LeBell accidentally striking the Texas wrestling commissioner with the belt and forcing its immediate return to OConnor. [28], LeBell was friends with world champion judoka AnnMaria De Mars, and had known her daughter, Olympic judoka, mixed martial artist and professional wrestler Ronda Rousey since her birth. Influential combat sports icon "Judo" Gene LeBell has died at 89. I tried to get your son some work but hes always at the beach. His very first match was against John Osako, one of the highest ranked judokas at the national level. In 1954, at the age of 20, Gene won the National Heavyweight Judo Championshi and the USA Overall Judo championship title. Congrats my friend and God Bless. On Sunday, Oct. 9, legendary martial artist and stuntman Judo Gene LeBell would have turned 90. The Creed Franchise Has Stepped Out of Rockys Shadow at Last, With Sylvester Stallone removed from the equation, Creed III is the sternest test yet of Adonis Creeds appealand a new challenge for first-time director Michael B. Jordan, The Clock Is Already Ticking for Kyrie Irving and the Mavs, Dallas now has a costar alongside Luka Doncic but has precious little time to make it all work. 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. After his competitive career, Gene LeBell and his brother Mike would run the National Wrestling Alliance's Los Angeles region between 1968 and 1982. Michael Hughes, Thank you for being such an influence and inspiration to MANY! The Life & Legend of "Judo" Gene LeBell - POST Wrestling 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! Professional wrestler Bas Rutten announced LeBell's death via Facebook, writing, "You will be greatly missed Gene, So, congratulation Gene LeBell from the Winburn families for receiving the Taurus Lifetime Achievement Award. In any case, LeBell was back to work in the movies almost immediately, adding to the movie residuals and Screen Actors Guildbacked retirement that sustained him in his later years. [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. Ivan Gene LeBell (October 9, 1932 - August 9, 2022) was an American martial artist, instructor, stunt performer, and professional wrestler. Gene LeBell, who died on August 9 at age 89, led a life so expansive that any mere retelling of it would come across like a tall tale, the stuff of Pecos Bill and Paul Bunyanif all of it werent true. G-E-N-E Capital-L-E-Capital-B-E-L-L. . Ivan "Judo" Gene LeBell (October 9, 1932 - August 9, 2022) was an American martial artist, stunt performer, actor, and professional wrestler. You always got the cool moves to Choke em Out .. stay healthy my friend .. Love, Troy Gilbert, Unreal. Is MJF the Second Coming of CM Punk? [8] Gene also wrestled under a black mask as The Hangman, teaming up with Roy Staggs. LeBell was never a main-event star in wrestling and by even the most generous assessment wasnt exactly a crowd-pleaser in the ring. Stunts Unlimited Member Gene LeBell was presented with the Taurus Lifetime Achievement Award on Saturday, May 13th, 2017 for his outstanding contribution to the world of action feature films. Other recordings discovered had ties to the presidential campaign of Richard Nixon. The Toughest Man Alive. [31], On August 9, 2022, LeBell died in his sleep.[32][33]. After his mother remarried, LeBell was raised near L.A.s old Olympic Auditorium. So well deserved!! Lee was especially interested in exploring grappling with help from him and exchanged ideas[19] on various fighting techniques. Beck engaged in abundant trash-talk, but revealed a very limited knowledge of martial arts, seemingly mistaking judo for karate. Ill never forget that moment, congratulations brother. LeBell judged fights for several decades, but retired from it after Golden Boy Promotions: Liddell vs. Ortiz 3 on November 24, 2018. Judo Gene LeBell has died at age 89 - Cageside Seats Ill be there to shake your hand tomorrow. A long overdue, but well deserved award. 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. Few people know the amount of time, energy, dedication, innovation , and pure love you have graced us with in your illustrious career! Bruce Lee's father Lee Hoi-chuen was a famous Cantonese opera singer based in Hong Kong. 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. LeBell was also hired for stunt work with Lee on The Green Hornet.. Gene LeBell, Famed Stuntman and "Godfather of Grappling," Dies at 89 A martial artist and judo champion, he taught Bruce Lee, fought in an early mixed martial arts fight and served as an. They shared their stories about the Toughest Man Alive and Godfather of Grapplings warmth and generosity. Oliver Lee Bateman is a journalist and sports historian who lives in Pittsburgh. [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. It is his 90th birthday and a celebration and memorial for him, Chivichyan said. He will always be my Stunt Senei. The boxer blocked the move, which aggravated an old shoulder injury of LeBell. In the martial arts, he captured the National A.A.U. [7][8] In return, Savage offered to wear a judogi. Something went wrong. Featuring "Judo" Gene LeBell's champion student "The Armenian Assassin" Gokor Chivichyan and friends." . [7] LeBell took up catch wrestling under Ed "Strangler" Lewis at age 7, and later moved to train in judo. [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. The fun motorcycle rides we used to go on out at the Pig Farm and at your mountain house. Gene LeBell | Profile with News, Stats, Age & Height - Sports Pundit Gene LeBell Dies: Stuntman, Actor And Wrestling Legend Who Fought Bruce Neil Melanson is an American submission grappling coach. He is loved by so many and admired by countless others. There is no one alive on this planet that deserves this Life Time Achievement Award more than you. In a fifty year career of high falls and fist fights, Gene LeBell has crashed cars, jumped motorcycles, wrestled bears, incited riots and fought some of the deadliest men in the world. Gene LeBell - MMA & Wrestling Pioneer - Passes Away At 89 - TheMix.net Karl Gotch. Bruce and I had a bond with the martial arts, and we would get together frequently. His mother, Aileen Eaton, promoted fights at the Olympic Auditorium and was the first woman inducted into the International Boxing Hall of . LeBell also worked on over 1,000 movies and TV shows [1] and authored 12 books. Those were great times !! Gene LeBell Dead: Stuntman, Actor And Wrestling Legend Was 89 - Deadline Its about time. At the insistence of friend and martial artist, Ed Parker, Gene LeBell accepted the challenge match and travelled to Utah to fight Beck. Neil Melanson - Wikipedia 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. August 18 | 2022. blackbeltmag.com. 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. It was in her promotion that a Texas-born grappler named George Wagner first donned an elaborate robe, dyed his hair blond, walked to the ring with a valet, and became the 1950s television sensation Gorgeous George, the toast of the coast.. Mary Karcz, Hi Gene, Id just like to Congratulate you on your receiving the Taurus Lifetime Achievement Award. Gene LeBell, Famed Stuntman and "Godfather of Grappling," Dies at 89 He believed in me which made me believe in myself. For a time, he took on a role as "policeman" for the organization, helping to maintain order. Its great having such a role model to look up to. 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. The simplest version of the tale has Seagal boasting that he couldnt be choked out, and LeBell, then in his 50s and significantly smaller than the 6-foot-4 actor, going behind the star, then taking him to the ground and choking him out. He was born in Los Angeles, California. Remembering Gene LeBell - The Ringer The two became close friends, but the actors untimely death stymied LeBells chance for future speaking parts. His death was announced by Kellie Cunningham, his trustee and business manager, who did not. Few will live a life as extraordinary as Gene LeBell has. Thank you Gene for your friendship over the decades. The tributes for "Judo" Gene LeBell, who died on August 9, 2022, at age 89, poured in after news of his passing starting circulating. Unfortunately, Bruce Lee passed away a few years later in 1973. "[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. Legendary MMA Trainer Gene LeBell Has Passed Away At 89 [17] Ultimately, nothing came from it. (James C. Udel, Variety, 2018). He has fought, trained and performed with a dizzying array of some of the most prolific athletes and actors in the world. He was a man that no endeavor was too tall for him to accomplish, Josh Barnett said of LeBell. Martial Art: Take a wild guess.Notable Achievements: "Judo" Gene LeBell has arguably the most impressive MMA resume of anyone on this list, and Freddy Bouceigues, No one deserves this more then you uncle Gene. In addition to spending extensive time in the world of . He was acquitted of the murder charge but convicted as an accessory for driving the convicted murderer, pornographer Jack Ginsburgs, to and from the murder scene. With only one uniform in his luggage, he wore the pink gi in Japan, and beat the competition. Gene LeBell is currently married to Wendy LeBell whom he married in 1977. His students in those fields included Roddy Piper, Ronda Rousey, and many others. Michael Nesbitt, Congratulations, judo Gene LeBell Tony Epperson, Congratulations! Gene LeBell Honored with Lifetime Achievement Award The Mandalorian Season 3 Episode 1 Deep Dive, The Biggest Questions About the Seasons Stretch Run, KDs Suns Debut, Load Management, and Five-Year Anniversary of the Rockets-Clippers Tunnel Debacle. "My . Best to You Gene !! LeBell was still teaching grappling and doing stunts in his 70s. Congratulations & we all love you. Gene LeBell (also called "Judo Gene" and "the Godfather of Grappling") went on to perform stunts in hundreds of movies, train martial artists like Chuck . "My name is Gene LeBell. Video: Gene LeBell in boxing vs. judo fight in 1963 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.