Tributes Pour in for Late Martial Arts Legend Gene LeBell
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
Pioneering martial artist, stuntman and author Gene LeBell passed away at the age of 89 this week, prompting many fans of his work in the worlds of MMA and movies to share their tributes to him on social media.
As a professional wrestler, referee and 9th Dan in jiujitsu, "Judo Gene" helped to popularize the art of grappling in combat sports, to the point that he also became known as the "Godfather of Grappling." A friend and contemporary of Bruce Lee, he was also an accomplished stunt performer and actor, working on over 1,000 different films and TV shows including Raging Bull, The Bionic Woman, Green Hornet, Rush Hour, and several of Elvis Presley's movie ventures. Quentin Tarantino has even credited him as the partial inspiration behind Cliff Booth, Brad Pitt's character in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, alongside stuntman Hal Needham.
One especially popular anecdote about LeBell, which may or may not be apocryphal, refers to an alleged incident between him and action film star Steven Seagal on the set of 1991's Out for Justice. Seagal reportedly claimed that his aikido training meant he was immune to being choked unconscious, an assertion which LeBell is then said to have dared Seagal to prove. What followed was an altercation in which LeBell not only succeeded in choking him into unconsciousness, but also caused him to void his bowels.
Many on Twitter have taken the sad news of LeBell's death as an opportunity to once again resurface this story, while also making note of his numerous other contributions to his field and lasting legacy in sport and entertainment.
R.I.P. Judo Gene LeBell, who refused to confirm or deny that he made Steven Seagal shit himself on the set of Out For Justice, which he absolutely, 100% did. pic.twitter.com/m0Bzfu2b19
— William Friedkin Truths (@LazlosGhost) August 10, 2022
RIP Judo Gene Lebell, American martial arts legend.
I hope that when I go, my many decades of work could be immortalized by something as iconic as choking Steven Seagal until he passed out and shit himself. https://t.co/CTigxAyOut— Its ya boy Patrick Miller aka Hat Trick Killer aka (@pattheflip) August 10, 2022
Gene LeBell remained a towering figure in the history and expansion of mixed martial arts and sports entertainment. A teacher to many of the sport’s greats, his influence is felt throughout @WWE to this day. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones at this time.
— Triple H (@TripleH) August 10, 2022
RIP Gene LeBell. I wrote about Gene in my book SHOOTERS, a man so tough he wore a pink judogi just hoping someone would give him some crap.
Also, his instructional taught the truly deadly holds like the nose rip.
What a character he was. pic.twitter.com/sJT3mFn3Mt— TheRealSnowden (@JESnowden) August 10, 2022
Gene LeBell pulling out the gat on Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan in Rush Hour 😂
RIP Gene LeBell pic.twitter.com/PcsLgfc8KJ— HAWK PUTUH (@RckyHoss) August 10, 2022
Gene LeBell had many claims to fame. One was becoming a regular stuntman for Bruce Lee since meeting on the set of The Green Hornet.
LeBell helped Lee choreograph the finish to his on-screen fight with Sammo Hung in 'Enter the Dragon' with a crucifix pin armlock. pic.twitter.com/8BAx6ULNXB— Catch Wrestling U (@CatchWrestling) August 10, 2022
So strange the last thing I post yesterday was the LeBell Lock, and I awake to discover the great Gene LeBell is no longer with us.
Rest in Peace Judo Gene 🥋 🥀 pic.twitter.com/H71GGc8y9T— Catch Wrestling U (@CatchWrestling) August 10, 2022
Gene LeBell’s acting & stunt credits were unmatched. From 1961-2012. If there was a wrestling episode, he was almost always the ref. From The Beverly Hillbillies & The Munsters to Taxi and Rush Hour, an insane side-legacy. pic.twitter.com/93GL6QP0fw
— RJ City (@RJCity1) August 10, 2022
Gene LeBell played the ring announcer in 'Raging Bull', directed by Martin Scorsese, 1980. pic.twitter.com/kAVwsCnkJJ
— Catch Wrestling U (@CatchWrestling) August 10, 2022
Sorry to hear about the passing of SoCal Hall of Famer "Judo" Gene LeBell. What an incredible man and life. He was the inspiration for Brad Pitt's Cliff Booth in Once Upon A Time in Hollywood, but I'm sure Lebell was tougher than the character. RIP. pic.twitter.com/rd6EpuBzTv
— SoCal UNCENSORED (@socaluncensored) August 10, 2022
So sad to hear about the passing of Gene LeBell. What a larger than life legend. It was such an honor to see him at the Rousey fights over the years. God bless, Judo Gene.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) August 10, 2022
You Might Also Like