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"Judo" Gene LeBell the "Godfather of Grappling" was both a renowned ex-world champion in both wrestling/judo, and one of Hollywood's busiest stuntmen. He is highly respected by many martial artists all over the world, and considered a groundbreaker in many aspects of the art of grappling.

Gene started training in judo at a young age, and at the age of 20 in 1954, he won National AAU Heavyweight Judo Championship and the USA Overall Judo Championship title. He went on to win the both the Heavyweight and overall champion title 1955 as well. After an illustrious judo career, he tried his hand at professional wrestling, and actually won the heavyweight title in Amarillo, Texas. However, in his excitement, Gene swung the title belt around his head, which accidentally hit one of the wrestling commissioners on the head, causing a nasty gash. The belt was immediately seized from the shocked Gene, which in later years would cause him to comment, "Well, at least I was the champ for 12 seconds and I retired as champion."

Gene went on to fight numerous opponents over the years including practitioners from other fighting arts that scoffed at his prowess, however they learned the hard way that Gene's superb grappling skills were the real deal. He has trained with numerous other world champion martial artists including Chuck Norris, Bill Wallace, and Benny Urquidez.

He acted and contributed stunt work to Hollywood productions for over fifty years. He can be seen in TV shows including Mission: Impossible (1966), I Spy (1965), The Wild Wild West (1965), Baretta (1975), Married... with Children (1987), and Baywatch (1989). His feature film appearances include Raging Bull (1980), Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins (1985), Bad Guys (1986), Ed Wood (1994), and Men in Black II (2002).

LeBell was still teaching grappling and doing stunts in his 70s. He was a Nevada and California Athletic Commission judge. He judged UFC 74 (Randy Couture vs. Gabriel Gonzaga) plus he had a highly popular website visited by martial arts and film fans all over the globe.

Gene LeBell had three children including stuntman son David LeBell and FBI agent daughter Monica LeBell Pandis. He also had 8 grandchildren.

Raymond Briggs was born on 18 January 1934 in Wimbledon, London, England, UK. He was a writer and actor, known for The Snowman (1982), Ethel & Ernest (2016) and When the Wind Blows (1986). He was married to Jean Taprell Clark. He died on 9 August 2022 in Brighton, East Sussex, England, UK.

Nick Evans was born on 26 July 1950 in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, England, UK. He was a producer and writer, known for Great Performances (1971), The Horse Whisperer (1998) and Act of Betrayal (1988). He was married to Charlotte Gordon Cumming and Jenny Lyon. He died on 9 August 2022 in London, England, UK.

Ragaa Hussein was born on 7 November 1937 in Al Qalyubia, Egypt. She was an actress, known for Nawara (2015), The Promise (1978) and The Serpent of Death (1989). She was married to Seif Abdelrahman. She died on 9 August 2022 in Cairo, Egypt.

Heinz Behrens was born on 30 September 1932 in Grünberg, Silesia, Germany [now Zielona Góra, Lubuskie, Poland]. He was an actor, known for Maxe Baumann (1976), Das unsichtbare Visier (1973) and Androklus und der Löwe (1969). He was married to Birgit Otto and Käthe Sennwald-Behrens. He died on 9 August 2022 in Berlin, Germany.

Pradeep Patwardhan was born on 1 January 1958 in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. He was an actor, known for Chashme Bahaddar (2006), Karayala Gelo Ek (2007) and Garam Masala (1993). He died on 9 August 2022 in Mumbai, India.

Carl Dekle was born on 29 June 1922. He died on 9 August 2022 in Plant City, Florida, USA.

John Houy was an actor and producer, known for Malfeasance (2009), To Post or Not to Post (2013) and That '80s Show (2002). He died on 9 August 2022 in the USA.

SW Lil B was an actor, known for Fat Youngin feat. SW Lil B: Glock (2018), SW Lil B x Benji Steph: Run Up a Check (2018) and Str8 Money Bo feat. SW Lil B: Everything You Not (2018). He died on 9 August 2022 in Washington, District of Columbia, USA.

Evgeniy Korzhenkov was born on 29 March 1957. He was a cinematographer and director, known for Savoy (1990), A Man from Boulevard des Capucines (1987) and 7 dney s russkoy krasavitsey (1991). He died on 9 August 2022 in Moscow, Russia.

Ranjit Patnaik was a writer, known for 143 - I Love You (2011), Shapath (2012) and Mate Ta Love Helare (2008). Ranjit died on 9 August 2022 in Cutback, India.

Marc Lapadula was born on 22 April 1960 in the USA. Marc was a producer, known for Saving Robin Williams (2019), In-Closure (2023) and Mentor (2006). Marc died on 9 August 2022 in Springfield, Missouri, USA.

Eric Marciano is a New York based filmmaker, media designer and storyteller. He attended the School of Visual Arts in New York, where he earned a BFA in filmmaking in 1984. SVA emphasized experimentation, and it was there that Eric learned to love the creativity of editing. In 1984 he formed American Montage to engage in editing, motion picture production and storytelling to its fullest. For 30 years his production company, American Montage, has successfully completed projects for such media outlets as HBO, Discovery, ESPN, A&E, TLC, PBS, the New York Times and numerous Internet destinations. He frequently works with musicians, visual artists, performers and theater companies such as Galt MacDermot, James Moody, LeRoy Neiman, Fanny Sanin, Gilles Peress, Eugene Richards, Karen Finley, The Blind Boys of Alabama, LaMaMa ETC, New York Theater Workshop, Noche Flamenca and Mabou Mines/Lee Breuer to create films and media related to their work and lives. His body of work includes documentaries, multi-media works, corporate events, narrative films, web sites, commercials, music videos, video walls, theatre video design, documentation, video essays, museum installations and public relations media. His narrative films "The Age of Insects" and "Narrowcast" have become cult classics. He has made numerous award-winning health and wellness based films on such subjects as eating disorders, body image and self-esteem, self-injury and bullying through his company Timely Television. In 2006 he launched the first video based web site based on grief and hospice in the world www.grievingcenter.org. The site was awarded the 2007 W3 Silver Design Award. In 2014 Mr. Marciano launched the first video based web site devoted to New York Off and Off -Off Broadway Theater. He is producing numerous projects with Lee Breuer, the legendary experimental theater director including a documentary on Clarence Fountain, the iconic founding front man for the Blind Boys of Alabama called "The Book of Clarence". In 2017 as part of the Museum of Modern Art's Club 57: Film, Performance, and Art in the East Village, 1978-1983 exhibit and show MoMA screened and purchased five of his narrative films for their permanent collection - "The Age of Insects", "Narrowcast", "Spin Cycle", "Plain" and "The Jimmy Donahue Story". His latest film is the "Shapes of Rhythm: The Music of HAIR and Galt MacDermot" about the eclectic, soulful and unique composer.

Jussi Hakulinen was born on 21 December 1964 in Pori, Finland. He died on 9 August 2022 in Finland.

Akiko Shimamura was an actress, known for Yamamura Misa Suspense: Kyôto Anba Sansô Satsujin Jiken (1994), Teppan (2010) and Aimu hômu: Haruka naru ieji (2004). She died on 9 August 2022 in Japan.

Peter B. Bennett was born on 12 June 1931 in Portsmouth, England, UK. Peter B. was married to Margaret Camelia Rose Warren . Peter B. died on 9 August 2022 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.

Russ Bensley was a producer and director, known for The American Parade (1984), Eyewitness to History (1959) and The CBS Evening News (1941). Russ was married to Patrica Bannon. Russ died on 9 August 2022 in Illinois, USA.

Bruce Mamer was born on 30 March 1952 in Champaign, Illinois, USA. He is known for Foreclosure (1982). He was married to Mary Gates and Ellen. He died on 9 August 2022 in Grants Pass, Oregon, USA.

Willi Hoffmann was born on 30 June 1930 in Munich, Bavaria, Germany. He died on 9 August 2022 in Munich, Bavaria, Germany.

Arif Maharramov was a director and actor, known for Qala (2008), Kitabi Dede Qorqud: Basat ve Tepegöz (2003) and Biz qayidacagiq (2007). He died on 9 August 2022 in Azerbaijan.

Nisan Yaubyan was born in 1928 in Istanbul, Turkey. He died on 9 August 2022 in Istanbul, Turkey.

Mario Fiorentini was born on 7 November 1918 in Rome, Lazio, Italy. He was married to Lucia Ottobrin. He died on 9 August 2022 in Rome, Italy.

Taiki Yanagida was born on 2 November 1993 in Matsudo, Chiba, Japan. He died on 9 August 2022 in Hamilton, New Zealand.

Miles Warren was born on 10 May 1929 in Christchurch, New Zealand. He died on 9 August 2022 in Christchurch, New Zealand.