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A celebration of his life will be held on his 90thBirthday October 9th, 2022 at the Hayastan Academy led by his student, Black Belt Hall of Fame Member - Gokor Chivichyan. He is highly respected by many martial artists all over the world, and has . Don't miss a beat. He is the author of 12 martial arts books. It was agreed that the match would last five 3 three minute rounds. I love you Gene and I am very proud of your accomplishments in our business. Gene LeBell is a legend in the world of MMA and Martial Arts. There is no one alive on this planet that deserves this Life Time Achievement Award more than you. Proud to be your friend! 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. He was born in Los Angeles, California. An agreement was reached for the match to last five rounds, each lasting three minutes. 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. Michael Hughes, Thank you for being such an influence and inspiration to MANY! Gene was an actor and stuntman in Hollywood productions for over fifty years with more than 150 acting credits and 250 stunt credits. [7][9] The unusual stipulations convinced LeBell the Savage camp, far from being ignorant about martial arts, had trained Savage in judo in order to defend against LeBell's throws. ", "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. Im honored to know you! 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. Love you brother congratulations! [3][4], In 2000, the United States Ju-Jitsu Federation (USJJF) promoted LeBell to 9th dan in jujitsu and taihojutsu. J.N. Its great having such a role model to look up to. A pioneer of martial arts, he lived a long and fascinating life. [2] He was born in Los Angeles. 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. Hollywood stuntman and martial artist Gene LeBell has died. At four months old (April 1941), the Lee family returned to Hong Kong. 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. His notable students include Rousey, WWE Hall of Famer Roddy Piper, and Chuck Norris, among others. Hans Gutknecht has been a photojournalist at the Los Angeles Daily News since 1992. [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. Judo Gene LeBell the Godfather of Grappling was both a renowned ex-world champion in both wrestling/judo, and one of Hollywoods busiest stuntmen. Gene LeBell's martial arts career was supported and influenced by his mother "Red Head" Aileen Eaten who was a promoter of both sports and who owned the Olympic Auditorium in Los Angeles. 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. Sat 9th Apr 2022 19.30 BST. 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. After his mother remarried, LeBell was raised near L.A.s old Olympic Auditorium. Congratulations Uncle Gene! 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. According to the Hollywood Reporter, famed stunt performer Gene LeBell died on August 9 at the age of 89. Rick Seaman, Well Geno, they said it couldnt be done but youve done it again. In 1954, at the age of 20, Gene won the National Heavyweight Judo Championshi and the USA Overall Judo championship title. Other recordings discovered had ties to the presidential campaign of Richard Nixon. Cheers! It was a fascinating collection of people mourning too, from the world of pro wrestling, mixed martial arts, acting, and beyond. Over the course of this six-decade career, LeBell had a hand in training many prominent players in the entertainment, wrestling, and MMA worlds. Roddy Piper. LeBell served as the inspiration for Brad Pitt's character in Quentin Tarantino's "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.. 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. The boxer blocked the move, which aggravated an old shoulder injury of LeBell. Im proud to be a friend of yours for over 50 years. After earning these titles, LeBell made the transition to professional wrestling because of the promise of better earnings in the sport. Ivan Judo Gene LeBell (October 9, 1932 August 9, 2022) was an American martial artist, stunt performer, actor, and professional wrestler. An incredible life being rightfully recognized. Way to go Uncle Gene!!! LeBell helped Seagal up. Bruce and I had a bond with the martial arts, and we would get together frequently. After, my arms were trembling with strain, you told me to stop and smiled at me, and said kid, dont quit your day job. You truly are a one-off, a living legend. Congratulations, Connie P Conrad Palmisano, Congratulations Uncle Gene for receiving the lifetime award. 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. A notable one was the 'Hot Rod' himself, 'Rowdy' Roddy Piper. He would also occasionally wrestle in a disguise as The Hangman. 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. God bless. LeBells top student, Gokor Chivichyan, hosted the event at his martial arts academy to celebrate the life of his mentor and close friend. Congratulations Gene LeBell! Congratulations very well deserved! Lance Gilbert, Gene , you are surely deserving of this achievement even though your humility wont allow you to agree with us. He taught fighters like Rowdy Roddy Piper, Chuck Norris, and Ronda Rousey how to grapple and regularly trained Bruce Lee. (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. 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. The Ploys and Tactics Behind Oscar Campaigning, A Secret Laundromat Meetup, New Jersey Episode 4, and Potomac Reunion Part 2. Gene LeBell would ultimately choke his opponent unconscious after a tentative start to the match. It was the long-running Lassie series that first tested LeBells mettle. I have ridden on the back of his bike for one of his marathon wheelies.Pine Mtn Club so much fun. 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. Whats legacy, anyway? Bob Debbie Hennessey, Congrats Gene. He was acquitted and continued performing stunts for the big and small screen, alike. #246C,Beverly, MA 01915,United States. [9], Encouraged by Ed Parker,[8] LeBell accepted the challenge and travelled to Salt Lake City to meet Beck. Judo Gene!!! Professional wrestler Bas Rutten announced LeBell's death via Facebook, writing, "You will be greatly missed Gene, Mahalo Christopher Chabriel, Congratulations MEAN GENE!!! The two became close friends, but the actors untimely death stymied LeBells chance for future speaking parts. Interview with Gene LeBell. A half-century ago, Pink Floyd unleashed a classic that still lingers on the Billboard charts and in college dorms to this day. Well deserved !!! LeBell served as the referee for the exhibition match between world heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali and Antonio Inoki on June 26, 1976, at . How Do We Solve This Crisis? He was a Nevada and California Athletic Commission judge. Oliver Lee Bateman is a journalist and sports historian who lives in Pittsburgh. thank you so much for all the encouragement over all these decades . As a stuntman, Gene has worked on more than 1000 film and television projects during a career that has spanned over 50 years. Heffay Cadiente, Big congrats Uncle Gene! LeBell is also a writer and has penned a dozen books on martial arts. Even more appreciated by those of us choked out by you !!! He is there to help you any time any where. 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. He deserves this award. Why Are American Teens So Unhappy? Few people know the amount of time, energy, dedication, innovation , and pure love you have graced us with in your illustrious career! I was driving a weenie mobile and Gene was driving a truck and they wanted a near miss, so we did the take and they said we werent close enough we showed em the paint scraped off the sides of the cars and they said, Okay, I guess youre right. I get his patches every year, got em all right here. 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. He will always be my Stunt Senei. Gene LeBell Record, Net Worth, Weight, Age & More. An additional stipulation prevented LeBell from attempting tackles or takedowns under the waist. Ronda Rousey. 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. Instructed through brutal tutorials by professional wrestlers and old-school masters, he developed adult skills by 13. Billy Robinson. 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. Ross Clay, Gene is the most unselfish and most giving person I know. While working at the stunt coordinator for Seagal's film Out for Justice, the two of them met to test Seagal's statement. Will Bowman, Well deserved! In 2004, Gene Lebell was promoted to 10th degree black belt in those arts. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG), AnnMaria De Mars (L), with her daughter former UFC Champion and WWE star Ronda Rousey and Rouseys daughter Po, pose for a photo 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.