Gene LeBell, Wrestler and Stuntman, Has Died

Actor, stuntman, skilled wrestler, and blended martial artist Gene LeBell died in his sleep earlier this week on the age of 89. Whereas probably not a family identify, LeBell lived a captivating life. He was the referee for the well-known boxer versus wrestler match between Muhammad Ali and Antonio Inoki. He acquired right into a infamous altercation with actor Steven Seagal which, based on legend, ended with Seagal unconscious or worse. And he was as soon as tried (though not convicted) on a homicide cost. (A associated conviction as an adjunct to this similar homicide was later overturned on attraction.)

LeBell additionally labored for many years as an actor and stuntman in Hollywood. In reality, he was one of many key inspirations for Brad Pitt’s character in Quentin Tarantino’s As soon as Upon a Time in Hollywood. Like Pitt’s Cliff Sales space (who was additionally suspected in a homicide case), LeBell labored with Bruce Lee on The Inexperienced Hornet. Within the movie, Sales space will get so irritated with Lee that he challenges him to a struggle.

In accordance with Bob Calhoun, who co-wrote LeBell’s autobiography, The Godfather of Grappling, Lee was being too tough with the stuntmen on the set of The Inexperienced Hornet. They couldn’t persuade him that he may go straightforward and it might nonetheless look nice on movie. The present’s stunt coordinator, Bennie Dobbins, wanted a ringer to cope with Lee.” Enter “Judo” Gene LeBell.

As LeBell advised the story, when he acquired on set he grabbed Lee, who “began making all these noises that he grew to become well-known for … however he didn’t attempt to counter me, so I feel he was extra shocked than anything.”

Ultimately LeBell launched Lee and advised him “Hey, Bruce, don’t kill me. Simply kidding, champ.” Once more, in LeBell’s telling, Lee was impressed sufficient by LeBell’s holds that the 2 grew to become pals and educated collectively, with every sharing a few of their information of martial arts with the opposite.

Tarantino has credited LeBell with influencing As soon as Upon a Time in Hollywood, though he’s additionally stated the character isn’t solely fictional, he was additionally influenced by a number of different well-known Hollywood stuntman. Nonetheless, there’s little doubt the place the inspiration for that scene with Bruce Lee got here from. Relaxation in peace to Gene LeBell.