Gene LeBell
Gene LeBell | |
|---|---|
| Born | Ivan Gene LeBell October 9, 1932 Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Died | August 9, 2022 (aged 89) Sherman Oaks, California, U.S. |
| Other names | "Judo Gene" "The Godfather of Grappling" |
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| Martial arts career | |
| Style | Catch Wrestling, Judo, Jujutsu, Boxing, Jeet Kune Do |
| Teacher(s) | Larry Coughran |
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| Other information | |
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| Billed height | 5 ft 10 in (178 cm) |
| Trained by | |
| Debut | December 10, 1955 |
| Retired | August 29, 1980 |
Ivan Gene LeBell (October 9, 1932 – August 9, 2022) was an American actor, judoka, stuntman and professional wrestler. Nicknamed "Judo Gene" and "The Godfather of Grappling", he is credited with popularizing grappling in professional fighting circles, serving as a precursor to modern mixed martial arts. He worked on over 1,000 films and TV shows and authored 12 books.