Gene LeBell, "The Godfather of Grappling"

Above, Gene LeBell and Armand at the Superman Celebration luncheon last month.

One of the highlights (for me) during the Superman Celebration luncheon at the Beverly Garland Hotel last month was to meet Gene LeBell, the "Godfather of Grappling."

LeBell has been a stuntman in many movies (he appeared in three Elvis Presley movies of the 1960s) and was George Reeves's judo trainer, friend and appeared as "Mr. Kryptonite" during the 1957 county fair show appearance tour with Reeves and Noel Neill.

Above, George Reeves, Noel Neill and Gene LeBell on the road in 1957.

I sat with LeBell during the luncheon. While at the luncheon, I asked him what gyms Reeves worked out at (he said a primary one was on Melrose Ave.) so I could possibly pinpoint where my dad met Reeves. My dad boxed and Reeves stayed in shape through judo. LeBell was familiar with several other gyms located in south-central Los Angeles in the 1950s. I remember going to one with my dad owned and operated by a guy named Jake.

According to Wikipedia:

Ivan Gene LeBell (born October 9, 1932) is an American martial artist, instructor, stunt performer, and professional wrestler born in Los Angeles, California. LeBell has also worked on over 1,000 films and TV shows and has authored a number of books. 

In 2000, the United States Ju-Jitsu Federation (USJJF) promoted him to 9th Dan in jujitsu and taihojutsu. On August 7, 2004, the World Martial Arts Masters Association promoted LeBell to 10th Degree and in February 2005, he was promoted to 9th Dan in Traditional Judo by the USJJF.

LeBell is quite a character with a broad sense of humor. I can easily see why Reeves liked him. LeBell consided Reeves a "father figure" to him.

He is currently working on another book and his manager had to caution him several times on disclosing anything that was to be put into the book.