A combat sports legend has left us – Ivan Gene Lebell has passed away at the age of 89.
Lebell was a mainstay in the world of combat sports. It’s hard to know where to begin when discussing Lebell’s incredible life. He was involved with grappling, martial arts, professional wrestling, and stunt work in Hollywood. He even famously choked out the actor Steven Seagal on set once, just to see if Seagal’s training had prepared him as well as the action star boasted.
Lebell’s illustrious career began with wrestling’s luminaries and grandest historical figures. He trained under Lou Thesz and Ed “Strangler” Lewis as he was breaking into the business. Lebell passed on his knowledge as he worked alongside and trained stars from Roddy Piper to Ronda Rousey to Chuck Norris. Karl Gotch was his favorite wrestler, and like Gotch, “Judo Gene” wrestled a hard, physical style. He was TV and Tag Team Champion for the NWA Los Angeles territory, though he was known throughout the world. Lebell wrestled in Hawaii, where he captured the NWA Hawaii Championship. He toured in Japan (where he also wrestled as the masked wrestler, The Hangman). He also appeared in the Pacific Northwest, in Amarillo, Texas alongside the Funks, and in Portland and California.
Lebell’s contributions cannot be overstated and his influence was everywhere you looked. Bryan Danielson’s signature submission move was once named “The Lebell Lock” in honor of the man. It’s been rumored that Brad Pitt’s character “Cliff Booth” from Once Upon a Time in Hollywood was modeled after Lebell. He was a profilic actor, stuntman, and stunt coordinator with hundreds of credits over the course of his life. He befriended Bruce Lee on The Green Hornet tv series. He appeared on The Munsters and Adventures of Superman with George Reeves, with Lebell playing the role of Mr. Kryptonite. Lebell was also the third man in the ring for the infamous 1976 fight that took place between Muhammad Ali and Antonio Inoki. And though he would turn them down, even the UFC made overtures to Lebell to step inside the octagon as the promotion began to gain traction in the 1990s.
A true tough guy well into his advanced years, “Judo Gene” Lebell was known far and wide as a man no one wanted to cross. He will be sorely missed, and we here at eWrestlingNews.com extend our condolences to his family, friends, and fans.
RIP Gene Lebell. I’m not sure his contributions to combat sports can be overstated enough. A man’s man, a gentleman and an absolute legend. I enjoyed the times I got to chat and laugh with him over the years. Godspeed sir.
— Frankie Kazarian (@FrankieKazarian) August 10, 2022
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