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Gene LeBell (born October 9, 1932 in Los Angeles, California) is a former American judo champion, instructor, stunt performer, stunt coordinator, and professional wrestler. LeBell has worked on over 350 films and TV shows,[1] and has authored a number of books.
In 2000, he was promoted to 9th Dan in US Ju-Jitsu and US Taiho-Jutsu by the United States Ju-Jitsu Federation (USJJF). In February 2005, he was promoted to 9th Dan in Traditional Kodokan Judo by the USJJF.[2]
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Combat sports career
Competing in the heavyweight division at only 165 pounds, LeBell won the AAU National Judo Championships both in 1954 and 1955. In 1963, LeBell accepted a public challenge to fight boxer Milo Savage in Salt Lake City. Competing as a "judo/karate" fighter, LeBell defeated Savage - choking him unconscious in the 4th round. In June 1976, LeBell refereed the infamous boxing-versus-wrestling contest between Muhammad Ali and Antonio Inoki.[3] Decades ago, LeBell was a close friend of Bruce Lee, with whom he shared various fighting techniques. Following his combat sports career, LeBell, along with his brother Mike, ran the National Wrestling Alliance's Los Angeles territory, NWA Hollywood Wrestling from 1968 to 1982.
LeBell is held in high regard by fans of combat sports, who affectionately refer to him as "Judo" Gene LeBell. He is also commonly known as "the Godfather of Grappling" and also as "the toughest man alive".[4] He has taught grappling skills to many well-known wrestlers and martial artists, including "Rowdy" Roddy Piper, Mando Guerrero, The Rock (as well as his father many years before), Bruce Lee, Chuck Norris, Ken Shamrock, "Judo" Chris Adams, Benny "The Jet" Urquidez, Gokor Chivichyan, Bob Wall, Ed Parker and Larry Zbysko.
Along with the awards he has received for his feats in Judo and grappling, he received the 2005 Frank Gotch Award to celebrate the positive recognition he has brought to the sport of wrestling.
At present (2008), he is associated with Gokor Chivichyan's Hayastan MMA Academy where he teaches MMA/grappling classes. Gene keeps himself busy doing interviews for magazines, newspapers, and radio as well as judging fights. Gene has a son named David LeBell.
The Pink Gi
The pink colored Judo Gi that has become a trademark of Gene LeBell was a result of a laundry mixup while preparing for a competition in Japan. A pair of red shorts were mixed into the laundry that contained his Gi and turned the uniform a shade of pink. He was set to compete the following day, and being a Saturday evening when he received the now colored uniform, he had to compete in the pink uniform. This set the Japanese crowd livid (it was considered very insulting). Gene would still go on to win his division.
Film
LeBell has worked on 246 films and TV shows as a stuntman or stunt co-ordinator, and on 110 as an actor (including 6 appearances as himself.)[1] LeBell appeared in three Elvis Presley movies as a minor character who starts a fight with the character played by Presley.[5] In addition he also worked on the set of the Green Hornet TV show, leading to an encounter with Bruce Lee that would lead to them becoming friends and exchanging ideas. LeBell is also credited for bringing others into the stunt industry, including Bobby Bass.[6]
Writing
LeBell has authored at least twelve books, including:
- The Handbook of Judo: An Illustrated Step-by-Step Guide to Winning Sport Judo by Gene LeBell and Lauri C. Coughran. 1962, 1963, 1969, 1971, 1975, 1996.
- Your Personal Handbook of Self-defense by Gene LeBell. 1964, 1976.
- Judo and Self-defense for the Young Adult by Gene LeBell. 1971.
- Pro-Wrestling Finishing Holds by "Judo" Gene LeBell. 1985, 1990.
- Grappling Master: Combat for Street Defense and Competition by Gene Lebell. 1992.
- Gene LeBell's Handbook of Self-Defense by Gene LeBell. 1996.
- Gene LeBell - The Grappling Club Master by Gene Lebell, Lynn Salvatori, Ben Springer, and Steve K. LeBell. 1999.
- The Martial Arts Book of Physics: How To Maximize Your Power, Speed and Endurance Using The Natural Laws of Motion by Martina Sprague, Gene LeBell, Stuart Sobel, and Tim Jones (2001)
- Grappling and Self-Defense for the Young Adult by Gene LeBell and Bob Ryder. 2002.
- How to Break Into Pro Wrestling: "Judo" Gene LeBell's Insider Guide to the Biz by Gene LeBell and Mark Jacobs. 2003.
- Gene Lebell's Grappling World: The Encyclopedia of Finishing Holds by Gene LeBell. 1998, 2000(2nd expanded edition), 2005(3rd edition).
- The Godfather of Grappling (authorised biography of LeBell) by "Judo" Gene Lebell, Bob Calhoun, George Foon, and Noelle Kim. 2005.
Championships and accomplishments
Judo
- Amateur Athletic Union
- AAU National Judo Championship (1954)
- AAU National Judo Championship (1955)
Professional wrestling
- Regional
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- Iron Mike Mazurki Award (1995)
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- Frank Gotch Award (2005)
Foonotes
- ^ a b Gene LeBell at the Internet Movie Database
- ^ Gene LeBell biography - at the USA Traditional Kodokan Judo website (a program of the USJJF)
- ^ Dave Meltzer. Boxers in wrestling a rich tradition. March 27, 2008.
- ^ These nicknames were immortalised in the titles of two books about LeBell.
- ^ According to the cast audio commentary on the DVD of "Reno 911 Miami"
- ^ "Bobby Bass". stungplayers.com. Retrieved on 2007-11-14.
Sources
- Corcoran, John; Emil Farkas (1983). Martial Arts: Traditions, History, People. Gallery Books. ISBN 0-8317-5805-8.
- The Godfather of Grappling (authorised biography of LeBell) by "Judo" Gene Lebell, Bob Calhoun, George Foon, and Noelle Kim. 2005. (According to Gene LeBell's website, an earlier draft of this book was published without permission under the name The Toughest Man Alive by Fiaz Rafiq, and legal action is pending for breach of copyright.)
External links
