Gene LeBell
Biography
Ivan Gene LeBell (October 9, 1932 – August 9, 2022) is an American martial artist, stunt performer, actor, and former professional wrestler. Nicknamed "the Godfather of Grappling", LeBell is widely credited with popularizing grappling in professional fighting circles, serving as a precursor to modern mixed martial arts. LeBell has also worked on over 1,000 films and TV shows and has authored 12 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 served as an inspiration for the character of Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt) in Quentin Tarantino's Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.
Known For
Self
Jackass: The Movie
Grimmer's Man
Loose Cannons
Turk
Smokey Bites the Dust
NYC bouncer
Shaughnessy: The Iron Marshal
Mean Bones' Manager
The Bad News Bears Go to Japan
Pit Bull Handler
Eyes of an Angel
Referee
From Mexico With Love
Mercier's Bodyguard
Running Red
Mommy's Henchman (uncredited)
Cleopatra Jones
Eddie
Hard Time
MiB Bodyguard
Ring of Steel
2nd Bouncer
Walking Tall
Forklift Driver Robot
Heartbeeps
No Way Back
Dead Heat
Religious Zealot (uncredited)
Airplane!
Cannery Guard
Death Wish 4: The Crackdown
Paradise, Hawaiian Style
Arkham Asylum Property Room Guard
Batman & Robin
Red-Haired Waste Plant Worker Punching Rocky (uncredited)
3 Ninjas Knuckle Up
Wrestling Referee
Micki & Maude
Foxy Jackson Referee
Man on the Moon
2nd Fat Guy
Flesh & Blood
Vinnie
Goldie and the Boxer
Ring Announcer
Marciano
Ring Announcer
Ed Wood
Terrible Turk Mc Gurk
Bad Guys
Ring Announcer (Reeves Fight)
Raging Bull
Train Passenger (uncredited)
Spider-Man 2
The Search for Count Dante
Burly
Bloodfist IV: Die Trying
Security Guard (uncredited)
Jury Duty
The Ronda Rousey Story: Through My Father's Eyes
Taxi Driver
Rush Hour
Referee
Number One with a Bullet
Red Haired Serrano Gunman (uncredited)
Rapid Fire
The Boss
Fury of the Fist and the Golden Fleece
Self
I Am Bruce Lee
Biker
Every Which Way but Loose
Subway Passenger (uncredited)
Men in Black II
Veteran with Gun
Rat Race
Hood
Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid
Hood
Melinda
Con Man
The Jerk
(uncredited)
Blue Hawaii
Drunken Biker (uncredited)
The Golden Child
Referee
Hammer
Faraday
Going Ape!
Theatre Cop: Reese
I Wanna Hold Your Hand
Leo (uncredited)
Slaughter's Big Rip-Off
Reigning World Wrestling Champion (uncredited)
The One and Only
Stroke
The Big Brawl
Football Coach
Almost Summer
Wallace
Double Tap
Referee
Kickboxer 2: The Road Back
Nappa's Gang (as Gene LaBell)
Black Samson
Karate Instructor
The Challenge
Driving Instructor (uncredited)
Cellular
Referee
Alligator 2: The Mutation
Old Stuntman
Redbelt
Rioter (uncredited)
M.A.N.T.I.S.
Referee
Americathon
Paul
Foolin' Around
Second Dracula Henchman
Blacula
Milt
Bottoms Up
Motorcycle Cop
Welcome to 18
Personal Info
Known For
Acting
Known Credits
66
Gender
Male
Birthday
1932-10-09
Place of Birth
Los Angeles, California, USA
Also Known As
Gene Le Bell