Gene LeBell

A martial artist and judo champion, he taught Bruce Lee, fought in an early mixed martial arts fight and served as an inspiration for a Tarantino character.

In Raging Bull (1980), he had a speaking role as the ring announcer for one of Jake LaMotta’s ( Robert De Niro) fights. LeBell was acquitted of that charge, and his conviction as an accessory to the crime was later overturned. The bout lasted four rounds and ended when LeBell submitted Savage to a rear naked chokehold. By his own admission, “every star in Hollywood beat me up” when he was a stuntman and actor. I never said I was doing only judo or karate or kenpo,” he said. Four years earlier, he was in another ring, as the referee in the wacky Muhammad Ali vs. in the 2000s. “I taught him judo and wrestling and … finishing holds that he later worked into some movies. To LeBell, the altercation revealed that Lee’s repertoire was without submission maneuvers, armbars and takedowns. Ivan Gene LeBell was born in Los Angeles on Oct. 9, 1932. Later, he taught his masterful submission techniques to Lee, Chuck Norris, pro wrestler “Rowdy” Roddy Piper, MMA fighter Ronda Rousey and many, many others. He was 89.

Many modern wrestling fans know of Ivan "Judo" Gene LeBell from the submission move Daniel Bryan/Bryan Danielson named after him, as Bryan's coach Neil ...

I enjoyed the times I got to chat and laugh with him over the years. A teacher to many of the sport’s greats, his influence is felt throughout— Triple H (@TripleH) @WWEto this day. Gene LeBell remained a towering figure in the history and expansion of mixed martial arts and sports entertainment. causing the actor to evacuate his bowels as he passed out. * LeBell had a history of answering these sorts of challenges. Throughout his career as a trainer and performer, LeBell is credited with bringing catch wrestling and grappling technique to both pro wrestling and MMA. His students in those fields included Roddy Piper, Ronda Rousey, and many others. If there was a wrestling episode, he was almost always the ref. Judo Gene Lebell impacted so many lives through his kind, caring, and loving soul. Judo Gene won by rear naked choke in a bout that was a precursor of what would become MMA*. From 1968-1982 LeBell ran the National Wrestling Alliance’s Los Angeles territory, NWA Hollywood Wrestling. He was the referee for another famous crossover match, Muhammad Ali vs. Many modern wrestling fans know of Ivan “Judo” Gene LeBell from the submission move Daniel Bryan/Bryan Danielson named after him, as Bryan’s coach Neil Melanson was a LeBell disciple. The California-born LeBell began training catch wrestling with Ed “Strangler” Lewis when he was just seven years old. “The great Gene Lebell, toughest man I know, has passed away and left us at the age of 89...

TRIBUTES have poured in for the "Godfather" of mixed martial artsand wrestling Gene Lebell, who died aged 89.LeBell was famed for his judo, jujitsu an.

RIP Gene, I love ya." Gene choked him like he did me & everyone else. He also worked as a stuntman and professional wrestler, being described as "The Toughest Man Alive" in his autobiography.

LeBell, whom many credit for bringing judo into the MMA space, served as a mentor to former UFC champion Ronda Rousey throughout her MMA run, but his roots run ...

LeBell even has an officially recorded MMA fight. He defeated boxer Milo Savage in a mixed-rules contest in December 1963 in what some consider to be the first legitimate MMA fight. Although his notoriety was partially racked out by his work as a trainer and motivator, LeBell had a decorated run as a top-tier amateur judoka in the 1950s.

Judo Gene LeBell, who influenced both the world of professional wrestling and mixed martial arts with his catch wrestling style has passed away aged 89.

“Sad news……The great Gene Lebell, toughest man I know, has passed away and left us at the age of 89. In more recent years Gene LeBell’s influence in both MMA and pro wrestling was shared by the likes of ‘Rowdy’ Ronda Rousey and Bryan Danielson. LeBell was seen in the corner of Rousey during many of her MMA matches and victories prior to her beginning her pro wrestling career in WWE. Bryan Danielson’s LeBell Lock was named after ‘Judo Gene,’ the move – which was previously known as the Yes Lock – was the move which won Danielson the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 30. Judo Gene LeBell, who influenced both the world of professional wrestling and mixed martial arts with his catch wrestling style has passed away aged 89.

Professional wrestler Bas Rutten announced LeBell's death via Facebook, writing, “You will be greatly missed Gene, I love you my friend, till we meet again!”.

His talent in his field was known worldwide and those that got to know him knew he had a heart that matched that talent. The Stuntmen’s Association of Motion Pictures sent a statement to Variety that said, “It is with a heavy heart that we recognize our past member and friend, Mr. Gene LeBell, has passed on. Writing for Black Belt Magazine, LeBell recalled, “He was the best martial artist of his time.

Gene LeBell, legendary stuntman, actor, wrestler and martial artist, has died at 89. Lebell worked with everyone from Bruce Lee and Chuck Norris to Ronda ...

"Gene LeBell remained a towering figure in the history and expansion of mixed martial arts and sports entertainment," HHH wrote. On Wednesday, Ronda posted a photo of her and Gene together ... captioning the pic, "Legend." Gene trained Rousey (a former Judo star) ... and he also worked with WWE legend "Rowdy" Roddy Piper, the inspiration for the "Rowdy Ronda" character. The legendary "Judo" Gene LeBell -- possibly the most badass man to ever walk the earth -- has died at the age of 89, and some of the biggest sports stars in the world are showing love in light of his passing. Gene and Bruce first met during filming of the TV show "The Green Hornet" ... and became friends, often training together. Legendary Martial Artist and Stuntman Gene LeBell Dead At 89

Former UFC heavyweight champion Bas Rutten announced LeBell's death on Facebook amid a lengthy tribute to the titan, who also made his indelible mark in sports ...

"In pro wrestling, he ran NWA's Los Angeles territory, NWA Hollywood Wrestling, from 1968 through 1982. IMDB.com lists him as having 252 stunt credits and 156 acting credits. Heartbreaking, he was a friend and one of the best people I have ever known. #RipGeneLebell #GeneLebell pic.twitter.com/LpKMBj8uwT I enjoyed the times I got to chat and laugh with him over the years. I LOST every R-E-E-L fight I ever had and made millions” — Judo Gene trying to convince me to quit fighting and go into Hollywood stunt work.

I’m still calling it a double wrist lock, just so you know. “I won every R-E-A-L fight I ever had & was penniless. It is through those memories his legacy will become legendary and forever remembered. 🙏🏽 Judo Gene Lebell impacted so many lives through his kind, caring, and loving soul. From The Beverly Hillbillies & The Munsters to Taxi and Rush Hour, an insane side-legacy. Gene LeBell remained a towering figure in the history and expansion of mixed martial arts and sports entertainment. pic.twitter.com/93GL6QP0fw