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Could Gene LeBell, the real life Cliff Booth, beat up Bruce Lee? You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. They also trained together, with Mr. LeBells expertise as a grappler meeting Mr. Lees fist-flashing kung fu brilliance. We love him! Stoked I get to make it this year. He is, and always has been, a perfect example of what a professional stuntman should be and continues to teach and hand down his vast knowledge to all young and old who want to learn. Extant fight footage shows a stocky LeBell, probably 60 to 70 pounds heavier than he was when he debuted in judo, cautiously circling and then struggling to throw the much smaller man, who exhibited sound wrestling defense. 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. One Defining Question for Each Second-Round NBA Playoff Series. His death was announced by Kellie Cunningham, his trustee Congrats my friend and God Bless. Tributes came from around the world following the announcement of his passing, including on Twitter from Chuck Norris, Triple H, Titus Welliver and others. Actor: Rush Hour. He sparred with James Cagney while shooting Blood on the Sun in 1945, allowing the famous actor to dominate the 20-minute skirmish which garnered rave reviews. Do you want to do Greco-Roman? You can hit em, eye-gouge em.. If you want to do a whizzer throw in wrestling, its the same as an uchimata [inner thigh throw] in judo. I am so used to him being there. It goes to a great man of strength, integrity and honor. (Gene LeBell Biography), 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. who lives in Sherman Oaks and says he still takes in about A long overdue, but well deserved award. LeBells career wasnt without controversy of its own, thoughnot long after refereeing the Ali-Inoki fight in 1976, he was arrested for his role in the murder of private investigator Robert Duke Hall, whose residence contained hours of phone recordings connected to powerful local figures and even the 1972 presidential campaign of Richard Nixon. Seagal, a towering man who had a background in the Japanese martial art of aikido, has long battled with stunt choreographers and fight trainers on setin Shooters, Jonathan Snowden quotes Pride announcer Stephen Quadross story of engaging in an uncomfortable series of wristlock exchanges with Seagal on the set of the 2001 film Exit Woundsbut by most accounts (and there are many), his encounter with LeBell went poorly. WebDoes Gene LeBell Dead or Alive? Awesome Steve Picerni. Written by James C. Udel, a member of IATSEs Local 80 Grips since 1993 and author of The Film Crew of Hollywood, these stories will profile retired or semiretired artisans whose work has left an enduring impact on the history of the movies. 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. In the 1960s, LeBell began acting and doing stunts, including in three movies with Elvis Presley. 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.