Mary Karcz, Hi Gene, Id just like to Congratulate you on your receiving the Taurus Lifetime Achievement Award. Gene started to learn to fight at 7, when his mother sent him to the Los Angeles Athletic Club. You are a true living legend! Mr. LeBell said Mr. Inoki would have won the bout had he not been penalized one point for a karate kick to Alis groin. Craig Frosty Silva, Gene LeBell What can anybody tell you about Gene LeBell? 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. Tanner Gill, Congrats Uncle Gene!! ; The Apprentice: To Ed "Strangler" Lewis, Karl Gotch and Lou Thesz, among other guys. This is very much deserved. Confused by William Beaudines direction, LeBell ended up being chomped by a 700-pound bear named Victor. His work as a stuntman began in earnest in the 1960s and continued on TV series like Route 66, I Spy, The Incredible Hulk and The Fall Guy, in which Lee Majors starred as a film stuntman. A fight scene on the sitcom The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet earned LeBell his SAG card. In the end, LeBell had appeared in more than 1,000 films, shows and commercials. His death was announced by Kellie Cunningham, his trustee and business manager, who did not specify the cause. Mr. LeBell, left, with George Reeves, who played the title role on the television series Adventures of Superman, and Noel Neill, who played Lois Lane. Gene LeBell Death Fact Check, Birthday & Age | Dead or Ill never forget that moment, congratulations brother. Love ya, Bax Craig Baxley, Sr. Gene LeBell: Bruce Lee in the UFC, Ronda Rousey, if anybody can beat her, Judo in MMA, Jimmy Kimmel, Congratulations Gene..its about time!!! Awesome Steve Picerni. In a story in the L.A. Daily News in 2011 on Rouseys breakout potential in the sport, nearly a year and a half before she made her UFC debut, LeBell offered his assessment of his pupil. As in Seagal went out, and went #1 and #2, in his pants. Gene LeBell, Famed Stuntman, Martial Artist And Bruce Lee's The stunt coordinator asked Mr. LeBell a former national judo champion and professional wrestler to teach Mr. Lee a lesson, perhaps with a headlock. In the stunt world, I get a pretty doggone good retirement from SAG and AFTRAand I can still work.. LeBell was presented with the Taurus Lifetime Achievement Award on May 13, 2017 for his outstanding contribution to the world of action feature films. David would look at me glassy eyed and say No you dont! It was in her promotion that a Texas-born grappler named George Wagner first donned an elaborate robe, dyed his hair blond, walked to the ring with a valet, and became the 1950s television sensation Gorgeous George, the toast of the coast.. 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. Chuck & Charlotte Waters, Special man and amazing human being, so deserving of this recognition. He told Rowdy Piper that he would stretch him if he didnt let me use it, Rousey said with a chuckle as she recounted the story. Subscribe to Variety Newsletters and Email Alerts! Your IP: In 1976, Mr. LeBell was the referee in a match between Muhammad Ali, then the heavyweight boxing champion, and the wrestler Antonio Inoki. "Judo" Gene LeBell, one of the true legends of the martial arts world, has passed away at the age of 89. By submitting your email, you agree to our, Grading Every Teams Performance in the 2023 NFL Draft. Love ya !!! Gregg Smrz, So well deserved! Here are five questions that could determine that series outcome. Sammy Horowitz, Congratulations Gene, its about time you were acknowledged for your amazing contribution to the stunt world. Hans Gutknecht has been a photojournalist at the Los Angeles Daily News since 1992. Oliver Lee Bateman is a journalist and sports historian who lives in Pittsburgh. Thank you Gene for your friendship over the decades. Gusty and gratifying: Big Sur International Marathon draws sellout crowd of 10,000, Ukraine set to boycott judo worlds after Russians allowed, With plans for sailing trek to Hawaii, Japanese explorer builds traditional reed boat on Bay Area waterfront, Renowned boxers visit Pajaro trailer park to lift spirits after flood. Mr. LeBell is survived by his wife, Eleanor (Martindale) LeBell, who is known as Midge and whom he married twice and divorced once; his son, David; his daughter, Monica Pandis; his stepson, Danny Martindale; his stepdaughter, Stacey Martindale; and four grandchildren. 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. 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. Love, Greg & Barbie Barnett, Youve been my hero my entire career. In any case, LeBell was back to work in the movies almost immediately, adding to the movie residuals and Screen Actors Guildbacked retirement that sustained him in his later years. The pink uniform originated from a trip to Japan where a pair of red socks, or shorts, made their way into the laundry, turning his white uniform to pink.