American judoka and martial arts instructor (1932–2022)
"The Hangman (wrestler)" redirects here. For similar uses, see Hangman § Ring name.
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Gene LeBell
Born
Ivan Gene LeBell
(1932-10-09)October 9, 1932
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Died
August 9, 2022(2022-08-09) (aged 89)
Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Other names
"Judo"
Occupations
Martial arts instructor
actor
stunt performer
stunt coordinator
Martial arts career
Style
Catch Wrestling, Judo, Jujutsu, Boxing, Jeet Kune Do
Teacher(s)
Larry Coughran
Rank
10th degree red belt in Judo
9th degree black belt in Jujutsu
10th degree black belt in Kyokushin Budokai[1]
Notable students
Chuck Norris
Gokor Chivichyan
Karo Parisyan
Neil Melanson
Robert Wall
Ed Parker
Manny Gamburyan
Ronda Rousey
Tony Halme
Roddy Piper
Benny Urquidez
Bruce Lee
Dan Inosanto
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)
Gene LeBell
The Hangman
Billed height
5 ft 10 in (178 cm)
Trained by
Ed "Strangler" Lewis
Lou Thesz
Karl Gotch
Debut
December 10, 1955
Retired
August 29, 1980
Ivan Gene "Judo" LeBell (October 9, 1932 – August 9, 2022) was an American judoka, stunt performer, actor, and professional wrestler. Nicknamed "The Godfather of Grappling", he popularized grappling in professional fighting circles, serving as a precursor to modern mixed martial arts.[2] He worked on over 1,000 films and TV shows and authored 12 books.[3]
In 2000, the United States Ju-Jitsu Federation (USJJF) promoted LeBell to 9th dan in jujitsu and taihojutsu. On August 7, 2004, the World Martial Arts Masters Association promoted him to 10th degree. In February 2005, the USJJF made him 9th dan in judo.[4]
LeBell has been reported as the inspiration for the character of Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt) in Quentin Tarantino's Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. However, Tarantino disputes this claim.[5]
^"IBK International Kyokushin Budokai – Blak Belts". International Kyokushin Budokai. Archived from the original on November 9, 2019. Retrieved November 9, 2019.
^"Roots of Fight Brings Us the Story of "Judo" Gene LeBell – MMA Pioneer and Terrifying Old Man". Fightland. Archived from the original on August 20, 2019. Retrieved November 4, 2019.
^"Roots of Fight Brings Us the Story of "Judo" Gene LeBell – MMA Pioneer and Terrifying Old Man". Fightland. December 3, 2013. Archived from the original on January 3, 2014. Retrieved January 3, 2014.
^Gene LeBell biography Archived April 23, 2008, at the Wayback Machine – at the USA Traditional Kodokan Judo website (a program of the USJJF)
^Atkin, Nicolas (August 15, 2019). "Could Gene LeBell beat up Bruce Lee? Meet the real life Cliff Booth from 'Once Upon a Time in Hollywood'". South China Morning Post. Archived from the original on November 27, 2021. Retrieved December 4, 2021.
Young Adult by GeneLeBell and Bob Ryder. 2002. How to Break Into Pro Wrestling: "Judo" GeneLeBell's Insider Guide to the Biz by GeneLebell and Mark Jacobs...
Legendary GeneLeBell Talks Ronda Rousey, MMA Judging and Choking Out Steven Seagal. MMMAFighting.com. March 11, 2012. Steven Seagal denies GeneLeBell made...
training under GeneLeBell, Gokor Chivichyan, and Karo Parisyan (who awarded him his black belt) at the Hayastan MMA Academy. GeneLeBell learned catch...
studied several arts under many notable masters. They included Judo under GeneLeBell, Okinawan Shorin-Ryu under Joe Lewis, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under the...
as GeneLeBell. Many of his first students were proficient in judo and other arts, and he learned as much as he taught. After befriending LeBell on the...
Machine The Godfather of Grappling (authorised biography of LeBell) by "Judo" GeneLebell, Bob Calhoun, George Foon, and Noelle Kim. 2005. Page 13 (includes...
style developed by multiple grappling black belts Gokor Chivichyan and GeneLeBell that blends elements of judo, sambo, catch wrestling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu...
2008. The Godfather of Grappling (authorized biography of GeneLeBell) by "Judo" GeneLebell, Bob Calhoun, George Foon, and Noelle Kim. 2005. "Kill the...
Through his friendship with his student GeneLeBell, Thesz had an association with Gokor Chivichyan and LeBell's Hayastan MMA Academy. He remained active...
not include any of his names. He was awarded a black belt in Judo from GeneLeBell. He started wrestling under the care of promoter Al Tomko in Canada,...
this film, including Judokan legend GeneLeBell in the non-speaking part of a nurse. A contemporary of Bruce Lee, LeBell is the noted inspiration of the character...
Naoko Kumagai Jarno Laasala Kristin Lane Bucky Lasek Chris Lawrence GeneLeBell Mikey LeBlanc Stevie Lee Brett Leffew Gary Leffew Jed Leffew Judd Leffew Brandon...
Stan Longinidis, Maurice Smith, Bart Vale, Hee Il Cho, George Dillman, GeneLeBell, Rob Kaman, Peter Aerts, Ernesto Hoost, Masaaki Satake, were among the...
2022). "GeneLeBell Did It All". The Ringer. Retrieved July 10, 2023. Hillhouse, Dave (October 19, 2006). "Straight shooting with 'Judo' GeneLeBell". Slam...
stuntman, professional wrestler and two-time national judo champion GeneLeBell, who came to work on The Green Hornet after complaints by other stunt...
Hollywood stuntman in 1977. GeneLeBell suggested Guerrero work as a stuntman after meeting him at his brother Mike LeBell's wrestling promotion. After...
the martial arts. As a teenager, he became a judo champion, meeting GeneLeBell who introduced him to the stunt industry in Hollywood. Bass served in...
"Rowdy" Roddy Piper. After meeting Piper (circa 2012 or 2013) through GeneLeBell, who helped train both of them, Piper personally gave his approval. Rousey...
'Here I am, wasting my life.'" Reeves, Noel Neill, Natividad Vacío, GeneLeBell, and a trio of musicians toured with a public-appearance show from 1957...
McComb as Jo Vince Murdocco as Brian Wagner Vincent Klyn as Thai Thug GeneLeBell as The Referee Don Familton as Brian's Cornerman Matthias Hues as Neil...
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