(Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG). In a recent conversation with Bob Calhoun, the coauthor of LeBells autobiography The Godfather of Grappling, the judoka, then 87 years old, said he was surprised that Lee didnt try to counter me, so I think he was more surprised than anything else. In the years that followed, Lee worked with LeBell to incorporate grappling into his films, defeating Sammo Hung with an arm bar in Enter the Dragon and Chuck Norriswho would become another long-time collaborator of LeBellsvia chokehold in Way of the Dragon. You don't earn the nickname 'Judo' without knowing a thing or two about combat; just ask Steven Seagal. When he arrived, Gene LeBell learned that he would not be fighting Beck, but instead a much more well-known boxer in Milo Savage. Why Are American Teens So Unhappy? Instructed through brutal tutorials by professional wrestlers and old-school masters, he developed adult skills by 13. developed adult skills by 13. Cheers! He repeated this dominant performance in 1955, winning all but one of his 18 matches solely with standing throws. The Alabama passer is one of the smallest QB prospects to be pegged as a first-round pick. The loss by the hometown boxer nearly caused a riot to breakout and despite the promotions attempt to calm the violence, Gene LeBell was nearly stabbed on the way out of the venue. There has also been rumors that the unconscious Seagal may have soiled himself. 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! A pair of red shorts were mixed into the laundry that contained his Gi and turned the uniform a shade of pink. He had spent time in Japan training at the Kodokan. 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. He deserves this award. Despite his martial arts credentials, LeBell did not immediately connect with wrestling audiences. After, my arms were trembling with strain, you told me to stop and smiled at me, and said kid, dont quit your day job. Challenge coins, decorated with an image of LeBell, were sold for donations, which raised more than $2,000. He is currently 89 years old. Erik Stabenau, Congratulations Gene. Love ya !!! Thank you, Mr. LeBell! Osu J.J. Perry, Gene, Ill never forget the time on set, when you let me try and choke you out. Gene LeBell has three children Monica, Danny, and David. 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. Ivan Gene LeBell (born October 9, 1932) is an American martial artist, instructor, stunt performer, and professional wrestler born in Los Angeles, California. Ronda Rousey, Bryan Danielson, and many more idolized the . How Do We Solve This Crisis? "The great Gene Lebell, toughest man I know, has passed away and left us at the age of 89," Rutten wrote. It was Beck's contention that a boxer would be able to defeat any martial artist in a fight and he put up $1000 to anyone who defeat the boxer in this challenge match. [7] In 1954 and 1955, while only 22 years of age, he captured both the heavyweight and overall Amateur Athletic Union National Judo Championships. He worked on over 1,000 movies and wrote a dozen books. LeBell's conviction for being an accessory was later overturned by the California Courts of Appeal. He was a man that no endeavor was too tall for him to accomplish, Josh Barnett said of LeBell. Our aim is to create a shop for BJJ Students who don't look at Jiu-Jitsu as a sport - but a lifestyle. Gene LeBell was promoted to 9th degree in jujitsu and taihojutsu in 2000 by the United States Ju-Jitsu (USJJF) Ju Jitsu Federation. Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic both had 40-point games after the Sixers loss against the Mavs. The belt was immediately seized from the shocked Gene, which in later years would cause him to comment, Well, at least I was the champ for 12 seconds and I retired as champion. (Gene LeBell Biography), Gene went on to fight numerous opponents over the years including practitioners from other fighting arts that scoffed at Genes prowess, however they learned the hard way that Genes superb grappling skills were the real deal. He was born in Los Angeles, California. Muhammad Ali. [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. [2] A notable one was the 'Hot Rod' himself, 'Rowdy' Roddy Piper. Lance Gilbert, Gene , you are surely deserving of this achievement even though your humility wont allow you to agree with us. LeBell served as the referee for the exhibition match between world heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali and Antonio Inoki on June 26, 1976, at . In 1994, LeBell counted kickboxing champion Benny Urquidez and Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioners the Machado brothers among his training partners. The award couldnt be given to a better or greater person, that trained many motion pictures stuntmen in and out of the motion picture Industry. 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. As a lifelong student of what we have come to call combat sports, still living and teaching at age 87, LeBell has become one of the world's experts. [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 two became close friends, but the actors untimely death stymied LeBells chance for future speaking parts. For most of Eatons time in the business, she was the only major female fight promoter in the United States, possibly even the world. Gene LeBell was born on October 9, 1932. 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. As wellback in the day..i drove out to ride motos with Gene & some friends at his area in Frazier Park. With a background in judo and jiu-jitsu, LeBell was the mastermind behind some of the greatest fighters in the world. Chuck & Charlotte Waters, Special man and amazing human being, so deserving of this recognition. 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. It is alleged that as soon as LeBell placed his arms around Seagal's neck and Seagal said "go" that LeBell choked him unconscious. He popularized grappling in pro-fighting circles and had a famous run-in with Steven Seagal. At 12 LeBell took up judo. Steve Boyum, Absolutely couldnt go to a better candidate. if thirty people are watching, let them talk about it. It was the long-running Lassie series that first tested LeBells mettle. 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. Stoked I get to make it this year. He worked in. Other recordings discovered had ties to the presidential campaign of Richard Nixon. In June of 1976, LeBell served as the referee during the infamous boxing versus wrestling match between Muhammad Ali and Antonio Inoki in Japan. The back and forth match between the boxer and the grappler/judoka was an early precursor to the mixed martial arts battles that millions of fans enjoy today. Meet the real life Cliff Booth from 'Once Upon a Time in Hollywood', "Gene LeBell vs Milo Savage: Gene LeBell Saved Martial Arts", "Matches Gene LeBell Wrestlers Database CAGEMATCH - the Internet Wrestling Database", "TOUGH GUYS WEAR PINK IN ANY COLOR, JUDO MASTER AND FILM STUNTMAN GENE LEBELL IS ONE HARD HOMBRE", Gene LeBell talks Steven Seagal s-ing himself, https://www.mmafighting.com/strikeforce/2012/3/11/2858055/judo-gene-lebell-ronda-rousey-mma-judging-choking-out-steven-segal, Steven Seagal denies Gene LeBell made him poop his pants, "Ronda Rousey: 'If Steven Seagal says anything about Gene LeBell to my face, I'll make him crap his pants', "Truth Finally Revealed on Seagal and LeBell According to Actual Eyewitness Steven Lambert Testimony! They knew each other and worked together on the Green Hornet. Mike Bohn. [3][4], In 2000, the United States Ju-Jitsu Federation (USJJF) promoted LeBell to 9th dan in jujitsu and taihojutsu. A professional stuntman and actor, LeBell appeared in over 1,000 films and TV shows, and authored 12 books. Martial Art: Take a wild guess.Notable Achievements: "Judo" Gene LeBell has arguably the most impressive MMA resume of anyone on this list, and Some have pointed out that LeBell making easy work of Lee on set may have inspired the scene in Quentin Tarantinos Once Upon a Time in Hollywood in which Brad Pitt, playing veteran stuntman Cliff Booth, has his way with Bruce Lee (played by actor and martial artist Mike Moh) in an on-set sparring match. Congratulations, Connie P Conrad Palmisano, Congratulations Uncle Gene for receiving the lifetime award. 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.. Im honored to know you! [7][8] In return, Savage offered to wear a judogi. LeBell also worked on over 1,000 movies and TV shows [1] and authored 12 books. I am so glad I was there Live to see it ! Alan Oliney, Hey Gene, Thanks for being a four-star mentor to so many and thanks for being Gene Lebell. Logan Holladay, Congratulations to Uncle Gene for a lifetime of stunts and terrorizing the stunt people; either riding dirt bikes or putting them to sleep. Congratulations Gene. Hardcover - January 1, 2004. Lewis, Friendship is born at the moment when one person says to another: What! The only thing I have against MMA is they dont have a retirement plan. [10], The loss by Savage, the hometown favorite, caused the crowd to react violently. [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. [31], On August 9, 2022, LeBell died in his sleep.[32][33]. He was known by many as the Godfather of Grappling, and influenced fighters around the world. "[24], Seagal bodyguard and stuntman Steven Lambert, stated he was present and said that a confrontation did happen. You always got the cool moves to Choke em Out .. stay healthy my friend .. Love, Troy Gilbert, Unreal. 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 . Im proud to be a friend of yours for over 50 years. Few will live a life as extraordinary as Gene LeBell has. A half-century ago, Pink Floyd unleashed a classic that still lingers on the Billboard charts and in college dorms to this day. He is currently the head grappling coach at Jaco Hybrid Training Center.He is the former head grappling coach at both .