He was a Nevada and California Athletic Commission judge. Nicknamed "The Godfather of Grappling", he popularized grappling in professional fighting circles, serving as a precursor to modern mixed martial arts. 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. BJJ Fanatics was started by a pair of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belts who know that nothing is more important for a fellow fanatic than their time on the mat. May we all continue to learn from you and strive to reach the heights youve reached. The toughest man alive by Gene LeBell . Genes feature film appearances include Blue Hawaii (1965), Planet of the Apes (1968), Raging Bull (1980), Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins (1985), Bad Guys (1986), Hard to Kill (1990), Die Hard 2 (1990), Patriot Games (1992), Ed Wood (1994), L.A. Gene LeBell had three children including stuntman son David LeBell and FBI agent daughter Monica LeBell Pandis. I feel really fortunate to have had him as a part of my life as it is, and really glad to also been able to tell him what an amazing human being, and what an amazing martial artist, he was straight to his face.. I wont say rest easy because we just dont see that happening with Gene. [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. LeBell was 89 years old. Blessed if you know him, crazy fun guy. 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. (James C. Udel, Variety, 2018). And Thank You for all those Decals and Patches you sent Charlotte and I each Christmas. Oliver Lee Bateman is a journalist and sports historian who lives in Pittsburgh. However, no context is provided for the encounterup until the fight, Booths martial arts credentials, unlike LeBells, are completely unknown, and he defeats Lee on the feet rather than with wrestling techniques. Since Hayastan MMA Academy first opened its door, it has been one of the top gyms in the world. G-E-N-E Capital-L-E-Capital-B-E-L-L. . Wrestlers & MMA stars pay tribute to Gene LeBell. Part of HuffPost Entertainment. He repeated this dominant performance in 1955, winning all but one of his 18 matches solely with standing throws. Gene LeBell died in his sleep on August 9 th 22, at age 89, two months to the day shy of his 90 th birthday. 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. 2005, Learn how and when to remove this template message, contest between Muhammad Ali and Antonio Inoki, Golden Boy Promotions: Liddell vs. Ortiz 3, NWA Central States Heavyweight Championship, George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame, NWA "Beat the Champ" Television Championship, NWA North American Heavyweight Championship, "IBK International Kyokushin Budokai Blak Belts", "Roots of Fight Brings Us the Story of "Judo" Gene LeBell MMA Pioneer and Terrifying Old Man", "Could Gene LeBell beat up Bruce Lee? It was a fascinating collection of people mourning too, from the world of pro wrestling, mixed martial arts, acting, and beyond. Well deserved.- Bonnie Happy, Well deserved. [9], Encouraged by Ed Parker,[8] LeBell accepted the challenge and travelled to Salt Lake City to meet Beck. The boxer's camp even went as far to argue for the stipulation that Savage could use any type of punch, but the judoka could not kick or use takedowns under the waist. Judo Gene LeBell was famous for his catch wrestling technique that later became an influence in both pro wrestling and mixed martial arts. He believed in me which made me believe in myself. He taught me how to fight, taught me how to ride. Each speaker spoke fondly of the larger-than-life LeBell, recounting stories and memories of how he inspired them and the love they felt for him. LeBell has made himself the nicknames "Judo" Gene LeBell, "The Godfather of Grappling" and also "The Toughest Man Alive" for his . Love, Greg & Barbie Barnett, Youve been my hero my entire career. You don't earn the nickname 'Judo' without knowing a thing or two about combat; just ask Steven Seagal. We cant have blood! Gaffer tape stanched the bleeding, and LeBell managed six more takes. If I have seen further it has been by standing on the shoulders of giants like you!! [27] He also did interviews for magazines, newspapers, and radio. More embellished versions include details about Seagal defecating himself. Influential combat sports icon "Judo" Gene LeBell has died at 89. Sammy Horowitz, Congratulations Gene, its about time you were acknowledged for your amazing contribution to the stunt world. In June 1976, LeBell refereed the infamous boxing-versus-wrestling contest between Muhammad Ali and Antonio Inoki in Tokyo, Japan. Michael Hughes, Thank you for being such an influence and inspiration to MANY! Beck claimed that a boxer could defeat any martial artist in a straight fight and offered $1000 to anyone who could prove otherwise. He learnt that the hard way when he came face to face with 'Judo' Gene Lebell and boasted that he was able to escape any hold that the human body could throw at him. #246C,Beverly, MA 01915,United States. He was 89. He is highly respected by many martial artists all over the world, and has . Tim Gilbert, This tribute is well deserved. You used to practice on your son David and I used to say to him I want to try that too, to be choked out by your dad. Here's an attempt to share some of those posts and tweets from the cross . Aloha, Brian Keaulana, Congratulations Gene! Stoked I get to make it this year. I tried to get your son some work but hes always at the beach. He was 89. He was seen in Rousey's corner during matches and celebrated her victories with her. As soon as he landed, LeBell used a foot sweep to sweep Seagal off the floor, with Seagal landing on his back. Today we will take a look at just a fraction of it. 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At the insistence of friend and martial artist, Ed Parker, Gene LeBell accepted the challenge match and travelled to Utah to fight Beck. I have grown up idolizing many of the SU members over the yearsGenes massive career and list of credits is insane. Plus, does starting Tyrese Maxey versus DeAnthony Melton make a difference on the defensive end? Could James Harden Potentially Return to Houston After the Season? Judo is wrestling with handles, he told Black Belt magazine in 1994. In December 1939, his parents went to Chinatown, San Francisco in California for an international opera tour. LeBell's conviction for being an accessory was later overturned by the California Courts of Appeal. RIP Gene LeBell - Part II. 'The Godfather of Grappling' evolved to be a popular figure in the martial arts world after he extended to various other forms of sports, including judo and mixed martial arts. Gene LeBell began his martial arts training at the age of 13 and went on to become the Godfather of Grappling and is considered by many to be the father of MMA. All my love and respect Pat Romano, Ya ya Uncle Gene , to one of the Gilberts favorite people . 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. [25], LeBell has earned himself the nicknames "Judo" Gene LeBell, "the Godfather of Grappling" and also "the toughest man alive" for his participation in combat sports. (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. Bruce Lee. As wellback in the day..i drove out to ride motos with Gene & some friends at his area in Frazier Park. [6], Ivan Gene LeBell was born in Los Angeles, California. [3][4], In 2000, the United States Ju-Jitsu Federation (USJJF) promoted LeBell to 9th dan in jujitsu and taihojutsu. [21], The popularity of this incident led LeBell to be counted in 1992 as a potential additional member of Robert Wall's controversial "Dirty Dozen," a group of martial artists willing to answer to a public challenge made by Seagal. 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. Gene LeBell was chosen for the match out of over 200 candidates. Ill toast you from Texas! You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Billy Robinson. Roddy Piper. Bruce and I had a bond with the martial arts, and we would get together frequently. 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. [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'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. Big hug and a kiss! Lance Gilbert, Gene , you are surely deserving of this achievement even though your humility wont allow you to agree with us. Whats different about the Sixers this year? Gene LeBell would ultimately choke his opponent unconscious after a tentative start to the match. 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. Congratulations brother Gene!!! It is with a heavy heart that we recognize our past member and friend, Mr. Gene LeBell, has passed on. Still, he continued to get regular stunt work on TV. [4] LeBell appeared in three Elvis Presley movies as a minor character who starts a fight with the character played by Presley. Some of his most famous students were, Ronda Rousey, Sugar Ray Robinson,. It is his 90th birthday and a celebration and memorial for him, Chivichyan said. Gary Davis, So awesome!!! 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. AEW, Triple H & WWE acknowledged LeBell's influence. Christian Fletcher, Congratulations Gene! Ivan Gene LeBell (born October 9, 1932) is an American martial artist, instructor, stunt performer, and professional wrestler born in Los Angeles, California. 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. The promoters were looking for karate and judo bumsvery distinct striking and grappling specialties, though LeBell knew the basics of karateto fight a boxer, whom LeBell assumed would be Jim Beck, a highly regarded amateur who had called out the practitioners of those sports. Along with many others, speakers included Ronda Rousey, former UFC champion, WWE professional wrestler, actress and Olympic Judo medalist; Bas Rutten, former UFC Heavyweight Champion and a three-time King of Pancrase world champion; catch wrestler, former UFC Heavyweight Champion, former Openweight King of Pancrase world champion, and Bellator fighter; and AnnMaria De Mars, first American to win a gold medal at the World Judo Championships. One thing I learned was never never mess with Gene LeBell. 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. 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. 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. There is no one alive on this planet that deserves this Life Time Achievement Award more than you. (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. I have ridden on the back of his bike for one of his marathon wheelies.Pine Mtn Club so much fun. Chris Pellitteri, Mr. Gene LeBell ; Thank you for your kindness and wisdom over the years. Neil Melanson J.N. And later on, there is discussion of whether or not double-dipping is an acceptable way to eat! In one scene, Brad Pitt plays a stuntman (Cliff Booth) and beats up Bruce Lee on the set of The Green Hornet in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. However, Gene LeBell was a 10th degree judo black belt and one of the toughest men on the planet, so the director knew this wouldn't happen to him. The late 'Judo' Gene LeBell's 90th birthday is celebrated by 200 friends, students, family LeBell's top student, Gokor Chivichyan, held the event at his martial arts academy, remembering a . In the stunt world, I get a pretty doggone good retirement from SAG and AFTRAand I can still work.. With a background in judo and jiu-jitsu, LeBell was the mastermind behind some of the greatest fighters in the world. We worked out about 10 to 12 times at his place in Los Angeles Chinatown and at my place.. 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. Tarantino, whose portrayal of an overconfident Lee by actor Mike Moh in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood spurred backlash drew heavily from LeBell when he crafted Brad Pitts character in the film as stuntman Cliff Booth, as LeBell had trained in Japan and studied judo years before Lee became a master. LeBell served as the referee for the exhibition match between world heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali and Antonio Inoki on June 26, 1976, at . Seventeen years before the UFC debuted, though, LeBell refereed arguably the most notable mixed martial arts clash of the era, serving as the third man in the ring for the Muhammad AliAntonio Inoki superfight in Tokyo. Jimmy Roberts, Gene youve always told me Im the best but your THE GREATEST Love ya, Manny Perry, I owe everything to Gene. "My . Your culture and entertainment cheat-sheet. A large frame surrounded a pink gi his signature judo uniform hung above a doorway leading to the training area. After earning these titles, LeBell made the transition to professional wrestling because of the promise of better earnings in the sport. It has been an honor to work with you ,and see how much you have done, over the years. LeBell died in his sleep early Tuesday morning at his home in Sherman Oaks, his trustee and business manager, Kellie Cunningham, told The Hollywood Reporter. Mahalo Christopher Chabriel, Congratulations MEAN GENE!!! His second best fight was probably his back and forth battle with 80's and 90's martial arts action star Steven Seagal. "[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. Sat 9th Apr 2022 19.30 BST. He also had 8 grandchildren. Gene LeBell has three children Monica, Danny, and David. LeBell was selected from over 200 other applicants to referee the bout. Scott Wilder, Thank you Sensei for paving the way for martial artists in this biz! OSU! !Thanks for the memories!! LeBell was also a judo and grappling prodigy. Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic both had 40-point games after the Sixers loss against the Mavs. Ronda Rousey. 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. In the the Quentin Tarantino film "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood", Bruce Lee was made to look as an arrogant martial arts actor. Gene LeBell's most famous match was his match with boxer/wrestler Milo Savage. You have given so much to our community and film business! Besides being a boxer, Milo Savage also had a background in wrestling. 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. He won the Amateur Athletic Union National Judo Championships in 1954 and 1955 when he was 22, according to Black Belt Magazine. The only thing that is different is that judo has strangleholds, which arent done in pro wrestling., Although LeBell considered full-time careers as a boxer and a judoka, the lure of better money in pro wrestling and Hollywood stunt productionsas well as connections to both industriesled him into those fields.