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"
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 "Judo" LeBell (October 9, 1932 – August 9, 2022) was an American judoka, stunt performer, actor, and professional wrestler. Nicknamed "The Godfather of Grappling", he popularized 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.

In 2000, the United States Ju-Jitsu Federation (USJJF) promoted LeBell to 9th dan in jujitsu and taihojutsu. On August 7, 2004, the World Martial Arts Masters Association promoted him to 10th degree. In February 2005, the USJJF made him 9th dan in judo.

LeBell has been reported as the inspiration for the character of Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt) in Quentin Tarantino's Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. However, Tarantino disputes this claim.

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