Gene LeBell Cause of Death: Net Worth, Wife, Children, Career

What Happened To Gene LeBell?

Information reaching Ngnews 247, Gene LeBell, a former martial artist, died at the age of 89.

Gene LeBell, a former professional wrestler, died at the age of 89. The news of Gene LeBell’s demise has stunned everyone, and people are paying tribute to him on social media.

In professional fighting circles, grappling became increasingly common thanks to Gene LeBell, who also gave rise to the current mixed martial arts.

Gene LeBell Cause of Death

Although the exact reason for Gene LeBell’s death has not been determined, it is possible that he passed away naturally. He was 89.

Gene LeBell’s cause of death has not been confirmed yet but he could have passed from natural causes.

Gene LeBell Biography

Lebell was a well-known character in the martial arts community, and he also worked as a stuntman in Hollywood and judo, mixed martial arts, professional wrestling, and other sports.

Before eventually switching to professional wrestling, he won the heavyweight and overall Amateur Athletic Union National Judo Championships in 1954 and 1955.

Gene Achievements

He gained notoriety more recently for supporting former UFC women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey.

But among the notables he has trained with are members of many different echelons of society, like Sugar Ray Robinson,

Muhammad Ali, Bruce Lee, Chuck Norris, and Roddy Piper, to mention a few. Gokor Chivichyan, Karo Parisyan, and Manny Gamburyan are among the more well-known people who studied under Lebell.

Lebell has written 12 books and starred in more than 1,000 films.

Additionally, he served as the model for Brad Pitt’s Cliff Booth in “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.”

Bas Rutten, a former UFC champion and star of the television show Pancrase, paid tribute to Lebell on Facebook while referring to a time when “The Godfather of Grappling” purportedly choked out Steven Seagal on a movie set.

At the age of 89, “the great Gene LeBell, toughest man I know, passed away and left us,” Rutten remarked.
“…We’ve all heard the wacky tales about Seagal, including the fact that he was the first person to compete in mixed martial arts (MMA).

when he took on boxer Milo Savage in a match in 1963 (I wasn’t even born at the time), that he was still pulling wheelies on his motorcycle at the age of 84, and countless other tales that can be found online.

Every single person I know likes Gene, and I am glad to say that when we first met, we always had a good time and were always making jokes.

The only fight listed on Lebell’s MMA resume is the one mentioned above with Savage, which he won by choking the professional boxer on December 2, 1963, in the fourth round of their fight.

It is thought to have been the first legitimate mixed martial arts match.

Gene LeBell Wife

Gene LeBell was a married man before he died. He was married to Eleanor Smerch for many years.

Gene LeBell Children

Gene LeBell is survived by three children who are David LeBell, Monica LeBell Pandis, and Danny Martindale.

Gene LeBell Net Worth

Gene LeBell had an estimated net worth of $10 million at the time he died. He was a filthy rich martial artist, stunt performer, actor, and former professional wrestler. Ngnews 247