To quote C.S. Since Hayastan MMA Academy first opened its door, it has been one of the top gyms in the world. Proud to be your friend! Gene LeBell was a man who lived a full and adventurous life. As wellback in the day..i drove out to ride motos with Gene & some friends at his area in Frazier Park. [14], LeBell has opened two martial art schools in cooperation with others and has touted his 1963 match with Milo Savage as the first televised MMA fight in America.[15][16]. Two hundred of his friends, students, and family gathered at Hayastan MMA Academy in North Hollywood to celebrate his storied life and remember how he touched each of them in a way only LeBell could. Billy Robinson. 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 there on November 27, 1940, making him a dual Hong Kong and United States citizen by birth. He went on to win the both the Heavyweight and overall champion title 1955 as well. He worked on over 1,000 movies and wrote a dozen books. Gregg Smrz, So well deserved! Neil Melanson Love you brother congratulations! They shared their stories about the Toughest Man Alive and Godfather of Grapplings warmth and generosity. 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. In June of 1976, LeBell served as the referee during the infamous boxing versus wrestling match between Muhammad Ali and Antonio Inoki in Japan. It always put a smile on my face when you would call the SAMP office. Few people know the amount of time, energy, dedication, innovation , and pure love you have graced us with in your illustrious career! 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. 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. Little Mo and Lou, Uncle Gene has been a trusted mentor, ardent Sensei and dear friend to me and countless other stunt people throughout the years. You deserve every bit of it! Roberts, Nobody in the world more respected!! It is his 90th birthday and a celebration and memorial for him, Chivichyan said. His second best fight was probably his back and forth battle with 80's and 90's martial arts action star Steven Seagal. Gary Davis, So awesome!!! Ill toast you from Texas! [9], Encouraged by Ed Parker,[8] LeBell accepted the challenge and travelled to Salt Lake City to meet Beck. Extant fight footage shows a stocky LeBell, probably 60 to 70 pounds heavier than he was when he debuted in judo, cautiously circling and then struggling to throw the much smaller man, who exhibited sound wrestling defense. Oops. 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. August 10, 2022 1:24pm. So to be a martial artist of his degree in the art of Judo is incredible; to be a pro wrestler of that level, incredible; but then to go into stunts and the motorcycle riding and the acting and everything else. Well deserved my friend, and sensei! It was agreed that the match would last five 3 three minute rounds. Sammy Horowitz, Congratulations Gene, its about time you were acknowledged for your amazing contribution to the stunt world. Hamstrung by rules barring takedowns, strikes on the ground, and submission holds, the fight devolved into a tedious 15-round affair in which Ali taunted and showboated while Inoki crab-walked along the mat, kicking Alis legs. Craig Frosty Silva, Gene LeBell What can anybody tell you about Gene LeBell? You have definitely earned it for all your contributions to the industry. Gene LeBell's most famous match was his match with boxer/wrestler Milo Savage. We are incredibly sad to report that our hero, dear friend and Stunts Unlimited brother passed away yesterday, August 9th, 2022 at the age of 89. Allen Lopa, Congrats to a legend!! He began training catch wrestling at age 7 with Ed "The Strangler" Lewis. Bryan Danielson's LeBell Lock was named after the legendary grappler. There has also been rumors that the unconscious Seagal may have soiled himself. A brief google of you name brings up pages and pages of awesome stories about what youve really accomplished in so many fields. 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. Well deserved my hat is off to you sir!!! Still, he continued to get regular stunt work on TV. With a background in judo and jiu-jitsu, LeBell was the mastermind behind some of the greatest fighters in the world. 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. Afterwards, attracted by better potential earnings and the family's legacy in the business, LeBell transitioned to professional wrestling. He eventually adopted the role as "policeman" for the promotion, maintaining law and order, especially during matches involving his brother Mike LeBell. 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. He is the greatest!! 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. The Cauliflower Alley Club presented the award. He was known as one the best stuntmen in his early days and his influence in the worlds of mixed martial arts and wrestling still. 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. Congratulations Gene LeBell! LeBell has worked on over 1000 TV Show and Film projects. "I learned the [LeBell Lock] from a guy named Neil Melanson," Danielson told the WWE website in 2010. Gene LeBell was born on October 9, 1932. Alan Oliney, Hey Gene, Thanks for being a four-star mentor to so many and thanks for being Gene Lebell. Judo is wrestling with handles, he told Black Belt magazine in 1994. Ronnie and Mary Rondell, Congratulations Uncle Gene! Most of his notoriety came after the release of his biggest film, Enter the Dragon, that same year. The grappling club master . 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. Its great having such a role model to look up to. Mal, Jo, and Ben get together to talk about where the Mandalorian people are, what adventure awaits Din and Grogu, and much more. LeBell also worked on over 1,000 movies and TV shows [1] and authored 12 books. Gene, I appreciate the things youve accomplished in life, and acknowledge your generosity to those you have helped to achieve theirs. He is loved by so many and admired by countless others. Influential combat sports icon "Judo" Gene LeBell has died at 89. People gather to celebrate the life of Judo Gene LeBell on what would have been his 90th birthday at Hayastan MMA Academy in North Hollywood Sunday, October 9, 2022. "LeBell parlayed his pain-inducing skills into careers in martial arts, professional wrestling and Hollywood stunt work, making him the ultimate a**-kicking Renaissance man. Along the way, he trained scores of future greats in a variety of disciplines, from Rowdy Roddy Piper in wrestling to Rowdy Ronda Rousey in judo (she, too, eventually wound up in the wrestling business), and even managed to extricate himself from being convicted in the 1976 murder of a private detective who had been digging up dirt on a host of California notables. He judged UFC 74 (Randy Couture vs. Gabriel Gonzaga) plus he had a highly popular website visited by martial arts and film fans all over the globe. We are all so proud of you, youre a legend. Grand Master Leg Locks by Gokor Chivichyan. 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! He won the Amateur Athletic Union National Judo Championships in 1954 and 1955 when he was 22, according to Black Belt Magazine. 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. 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. Ivan Judo Gene LeBell (October 9, 1932 August 9, 2022) was an American martial artist, stunt performer, actor, and professional wrestler. "The great Gene Lebell, toughest man I know, has passed away and left us at the age of 89," Rutten wrote. Michael Hughes, Thank you for being such an influence and inspiration to MANY! [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. LeBell was 89 years old. You too? You truly are a one-off, a living legend. 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 . 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! 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. He taught me how to fight, taught me how to ride. Jimmy Halty, Congratulations Gene. 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. Lee was especially interested in exploring grappling with help from him and exchanged ideas[19] on various fighting techniques. Congratulations, Connie P Conrad Palmisano, Congratulations Uncle Gene for receiving the lifetime award. The seeds that Gene LeBell helped plant have grown into the modern landscape of mixed martial arts that we know today. Well deserved !!! David Burton, Congrats Gene LeBell great job well done Grover Gay, Congrats Gene LeBell! Despite this long legacy in the worlds of pro wrestling and MMA, LeBell, always chasing the smart money, never hung around too long on the mat in either sport: Theres only 1 in 1,000 MMA fighters who make money, he told Black Belt magazine in 2014. Congratulations brother Gene!!! Roddy Piper. AEW Revolution Preview, and Whats Going on With Brock, Bray, Bobby, and Omos? As soon as he landed, LeBell used a foot sweep to sweep Seagal off the floor, with Seagal landing on his back. Being 63 years old, LeBell declined to compete or to send a representative, instead suggesting a match against Royce's 82-year-old father, the renowned Hlio Gracie. He has trained several notable students including Bruce Lee, Chuck Norris, and Ronda Rousey. Its an honor to be your student and friend. I am so glad I was there Live to see it ! We couldnt prouder. Unfortunately, Bruce Lee passed away a few years later in 1973. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG), Bas Rutten, Gokor Chivichyan, Paul Lazenby and Josh Barnett during a celebration of life for Judo Gene LeBell on what would have been his 90th birthday at Hayastan MMA Academy in North Hollywood Sunday, October 9, 2022. In return, the boxer's camp agreed that he would wear a Judo Gi or uniform, although he ultimately wore a Karate Gi which fit much tighter and was more difficult to grab onto. LeBell!!! In 1994, LeBell counted kickboxing champion Benny Urquidez and Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioners the Machado brothers among his training partners. I love ya man. He was 89. A video shown at the memorial featured many of his accomplishments from the stunt and martial arts world, evoking smiles, laughter and tears that had many in the crowd wiping their eyes. The toughest man alive by Gene LeBell . I was told that all the judo and karate people were not making any money at that time; they were starving, LeBell recalled in that interview. [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. He worked in. Steve Boyum, Absolutely couldnt go to a better candidate. LeBells years of stunt work and fight choreography also introduced grappling to the world of action movies, where it is now commonplace to see fighters turned actors such as Randy Couture and Gina Carano using submission holds in their action sequences. LeBells roots in combat sports ran deep. At the insistence of friend and martial artist, Ed Parker, Gene LeBell accepted the challenge match and travelled to Utah to fight Beck. He believed in me which made me believe in myself. 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.