Before Sydney Sweeney was starring on screen, she was training with the legendary Gene LeBell.
Speaking to GQ, Sweeney discussed her martial arts background.
“When I was 12 or 13, I started training kickboxing and grappling. I trained at Gokor Hayastan with sensei Gene Lebell and Benny the Jet. I did that from 12 or 13 until I was about 19. Then I booked Handmaid’s Tale and Euphoria, and I was like, ‘I can’t,'” she said.
In 1991, LeBell was working as a stunt coordinator on the Aikido documentary Out for Justice. It is alleged that at some point, Steven Seagal announced that he was immune to chokes due to his martial arts background. According to the tale, when LeBell heard about the claim, he gave Seagal the opportunity to test it. As it goes, LeBell set the choke up, Seagal said “Go” and Seagal promptly went out and soiled his pants.
LeBell also trained Roddy Piper and Ronda Rousey.
Sweeney currently stars as boxer Christy Martin in “Christy.”
