Gene LeBell

Gene LeBell
Gene LeBell
Born	Ivan Gene LeBell; October 9, 1932; Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Died	August 9, 2022 (aged 89); Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Other names	"Judo Gene"; "The Godfather of Grappling"
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;
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 LeBell (October 9, 1932 – August 9, 2022) was an American judoka, stuntman, actor and professional wrestler. He worked on over 1,000 films and TV shows and authored 12 books.^[2]

^ "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. December 3, 2013. Archived from the original on January 3, 2014. Retrieved January 3, 2014.

[ibk-1] "IBK International Kyokushin Budokai – Blak Belts". International Kyokushin Budokai. Archived from the original on November 9, 2019. Retrieved November 9, 2019.

[2] "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.

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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 Gene" "The Godfather of Grappling"
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