Not even age could slow down Gene LeBell’s adrenaline-fueled career.

In addition to teaching, the 80-year-old martial arts instructor still performs stunts in movies, referees boxing and martial arts matches, test drives motorcycles and sells martial arts clothing.

LeBell said that he’s busier now than when he was younger because he doesn’t worry about the paychecks. He can pursue what really interests him instead of having to focus on finances.

“I spread myself thin,” he said. “I spend my time with anything that interests me. I don’t need the money.”

LeBell began boxing at the age of 6. His mother, Aileen, a boxing promoter, owned Olympic Auditorium in downtown Los Angeles, which hosted regular bouts featuring legendary names including Joe Frazier and Sugar Ray Robinson.

In his 20s, he won several judo championships as well as participated in some pro wrestling and boxing competitions.

LeBell parlayed his strength and agility into a career in movies, working as a stuntman with martial arts greats such as Bruce Lee and Chuck Norris. Since the 1960s, he has worked in more than 1,000 television shows and movies, including “The Planet of the Apes” and “Raging Bull.”

LeBell said the best advice he got early in his career was from his mother, who told him: “The harder you work, the luckier you get.”

LeBell still follows that advice today, teaching once a week at the Hayastan MMA Academy in North Hollywood and continuing to do stunt work.

LeBell’s wife, Midge, shares his love of adventure. She still watches him referee competitions. They used to race motorcycles together when they were younger.

LeBell noted that one of the perks of working into his 80s is lifetime insurance with the Screen Actors Guild.

“If I fall down and get a bloody nose, they’ll wipe it off for free,” he said.

He acknowledged that his body can’t handle some of the stunts that he was once capable of. Instead of rolling cars or crashing bikes like he did in his prime, he jokes that he sticks to easy stunts such as falling down stairs and being set on fire.

How does LeBell stay so spry in a career that demands a lot from his body? He said the secret is staying active and doing something that he enjoys.

“If you don’t use it, you lose it,” he said. “I’ve got to be doing one thing or another. When I get on a motorcycle, it makes me feel young.”

– Natalie Jarvey