Gene LeBell

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,imdb name|0494061|Gene LeBell] 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. [ [http://www.usatkj.org/bio/lebell/index.html Gene LeBell biography] - at the "USA Traditional Kodokan Judo" website (a program of the "USJJF")]

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. [Dave Meltzer. [http://sports.yahoo.com/box/news?slug=dm-boxers032608&prov=yhoo&type=lgns Boxers in wrestling a rich tradition] . March 27, 2008.] 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". [These nicknames were immortalised in the titles of two books about LeBell.] 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.) LeBell appeared in three Elvis Presley movies as a minor character who starts a fight with the character played by Presley. [According to the cast audio commentary on the DVD of "Reno 911 Miami"] 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. [cite web
url=http://www.stuntplayers.com/memorial/memorial.php
title=Bobby Bass |publisher=stungplayers.com |accessdate=2007-11-14]

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

*National Wrestling Alliance:Regional:*NWA Hawaii Heavyweight Championship (1 time):*NWA North American Heavyweight Championship "(Amarillo version)" (1 time):*NWA Americas Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Chino Chou

*Cauliflower Alley Club:*Iron Mike Mazurki Award (1995)

*George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame:*Frank Gotch Award (2005)

Foonotes

ources

* cite book
last = Corcoran
first = John
coauthors = Emil Farkas
title = Martial Arts: Traditions, History, People
publisher = Gallery Books
date = 1983
id = 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 [http://www.genelebell.com/ 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

* [http://www.genelebell.com/ Official website]
* [http://www.usmaf.org/bio/lebell/index.html USMAF Biography]