"Judo" Gene Lebell VS. Steven Segal, THis really happened! No joke, read... Options

[6 Pack]

WHile on the web researching on Gene Lebell I ran across this story of how he choked Steven Segal unconcious while on the set of a movie (Lebell works as a stuntman and stuntman cordinator).

I was skeptical at first, but while bouncing from one web site to another about Judo Gene I would read this same story over and over.

How it all went down varies from the different sources. What all the sources agree on is that Gene choked Segal unconcious, and Segal deficated himself. It hit the fan after that (no pun intended) and a gag order was placed on Gene prohibiting him from speaking about this to the media.

Unfortunately for Segal others that were there have talked, and it was dubbed the worst kept secret in Hollywood.

How it came to Gene choking out Segal? Here are some of the stories...

Segal was extremely rough on the stunt men during the filming of the movie, and Gene paid him a visit to let him know his thought on this (Gene is a rough character). Judo Gene ended up choking Segal out. Segal let one fly while he was out.

Another is that people on the set started bugging Segal that Gene would beat him a real fight. Segal fluffed off Gene's skills and Gene offered to show him. Gene put on a choke on Segal, and Segal was choked out. Not all that bad, but when he went out he let off a load.

Apparently it started off just Gene showing Segal a choke and Segal was going to show the people on the set how he would get out of it, but Segal went for Gene's eyes and the rest is history.

Any of you guys heard any of this? I have found articles written about this dating back to 1991 (around the time it happened). The article did not mention Segal's name, but brought up the story. It was an article about Gene's induction into the blackbelt hall of fame.

[Guest_Guest_guest]

Segal gives the appearance of a phony with respect to just about everything. I hope this story is true.

[Geoff]

Nice story, just goesto show anyone can be choked out!

[Scott_Wignall]

There's something to that effect (Gene choking out Segal) on e-budo, in fact I first saw it about three or four months ago. I think it's in the judo section of e-budo.

[TheJudoChop]

The story is so widespresd I think that if it were not true Segal would have made some public statement that it was BS.

[6 Pack]

Absolutely! I think Segal is trying to not bring it up at all costs. By not addressing it hopefully it just goes away. But word is out and has been for a long time.

Wonder if Gene ever came across Van Dame in his days? That could be a good scrap.

BTW I like some of Segal's movies and I am far from a Segal hater. I have no doubt he trained in Aikido (his martial art) extensively and knows his trade. But he does come across as a bit of an up tight person with a big ego. I am getting this from interviews with other actors and stories being told. So this hopefully humbled him a little. I know getting choked out to the point I plump a hot one in my pants would humble me a great deal.

Look for Segal to call for a rematch soon (Gene is in his 70's).

[JudoSensei]

Gene has years of great stories. Did you hear about when the Gracies challenged him? There was a time when they challenged everyone as they were trying to make a name for themselves. They wanted Gene to fight Royce or Rickson or someone like that 50 years younger. Gene replied that he was retired, but he countered with a challenge to fight Helio since he was closer to his age and was the teacher of all the others. Of course the Gracie's declined.

[Dragon]

He also choked out a boxer. He wa saying judokas cna chop planks in half but can't win a fight against nobody.

Idiot

[jjforumuser]

He also choked out a boxer. He wa saying judokas cna chop planks in half but can't win a fight against nobody.

Idiot

wait a minute... gene never said judoka chop planks in half, that was the promoter of the boxer involved in the fight.
what no one has mentioned is that gene lebell, was also a boxer for some time and had trained with sugar ray robinson.

[Dragon]

I meant the boxing guy! Do you think I'd suggest that a judoka would say judo's rubbish and judoka are phoneys, then choke out some boxer with a judo shime?