Gene LeBell
- Known for
- Acting
- Born
- October 9, 1932
- Died
- August 9, 2022 (aged 89)
- Birthplace
- Los Angeles, California, USA
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
Filmography
The Search for Count Dante
Movie
The Ronda Rousey Story: Through My Father's Eyes
Movie · as Self
Fury of the Fist and the Golden Fleece
Movie · as The Boss
I Am Bruce Lee
Movie · as Self
From Mexico With Love
Movie · as Referee
Blood and Bone
Movie · as Attendant
Redbelt
Movie · as Old Stuntman
The Sarah Silverman Program
TV · as Carl · 1 ep
Bottoms Up
Movie · as Milt
Spider-Man 2
Movie · as Train Passenger (uncredited)
Cellular
Movie · as Driving Instructor (uncredited)
Reno 911!
TV · as Old Man on Scooter, Grandpa · 4 eps
Jackass: The Movie
Movie · as Self
Men in Black II
Movie · as Subway Passenger (uncredited)
Rat Race
Movie · as Veteran with Gun
Strong Medicine
TV · as Referee · 1 ep
Running Red
Movie · as Mercier's Bodyguard
Man on the Moon
Movie · as Foxy Jackson Referee
Hard Time
Movie · as Eddie
Rush Hour
Movie · as Taxi Driver
That '70s Show
TV · as Referee · 1 ep
Batman & Robin
Movie · as Arkham Asylum Property Room Guard
Double Tap
Movie · as Wallace
On the Edge of Innocence
Movie · as Security Guard
Shaughnessy: The Iron Marshal
Movie · as NYC bouncer
3 Ninjas Knuckle Up
Movie · as Red-Haired Waste Plant Worker Punching Rocky (uncredited)
Jury Duty
Movie · as Security Guard (uncredited)
Ring of Steel
Movie · as MiB Bodyguard
Ed Wood
Movie · as Ring Announcer
M.A.N.T.I.S.
Movie · as Rioter (uncredited)
The X-Files
TV · as Bartender · 1 ep
Bloodfist IV: Die Trying
Movie · as Burly
Rapid Fire
Movie · as Red Haired Serrano Gunman (uncredited)
The Human Factor
TV · as Referee · 1 ep
Eyes of an Angel
Movie · as Pit Bull Handler
Kickboxer 2: The Road Back
Movie · as Referee
Alligator 2: The Mutation
Movie · as Referee
Loose Cannons
Movie · as Grimmer's Man
Total Recall
Movie · as Restaurant Patron
Family Matters
TV · as Referee · 1 ep
Dead Heat
Movie
Death Wish 4: The Crackdown
Movie · as Cannery Guard
Number One with a Bullet
Movie · as Referee
Married... with Children
TV · as Larry, Referee, Black Ben, Brutus · 1 ep
Bad Guys
Movie · as Terrible Turk Mc Gurk
The Golden Child
Movie · as Drunken Biker (uncredited)
Welcome to 18
Movie · as Motorcycle Cop
Sledge Hammer!
TV · as Archbishop · 1 ep
Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins
Movie · as Red
MacGyver
TV · as Murph · 1 ep
Micki & Maude
Movie · as Wrestling Referee
City Heat
Movie · as Garage Soldier
The Master
TV · as Brawler (uncredited) · 1 ep
Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid
Movie · as Hood
T. J. Hooker
TV · as James Wallace · 1 ep
Knight Rider
TV · as Junior · 1 ep
Smokey Bites the Dust
Movie · as Turk
Heartbeeps
Movie · as Forklift Driver Robot
Going Ape!
Movie · as Faraday
Falcon Crest
TV · as Union Guy · 1 ep
Simon & Simon
TV · 2 eps
Airplane!
Movie · as Religious Zealot (uncredited)
Raging Bull
Movie · as Ring Announcer (Reeves Fight)
The Big Brawl
Movie · as Stroke
Foolin' Around
Movie · as Paul
Flesh & Blood
Movie · as 2nd Fat Guy
Goldie and the Boxer
Movie · as Vinnie
Marciano
Movie · as Ring Announcer
The Jerk
Movie · as Con Man
Americathon
Movie · as Referee
Hart to Hart
TV · as Heavy #2 · 1 ep
Flesh & Blood
TV · as 2nd Fat Guy · 2 eps
The Bad News Bears Go to Japan
Movie · as Mean Bones' Manager
Every Which Way but Loose
Movie · as Biker
I Wanna Hold Your Hand
Movie · as Theatre Cop: Reese
The One and Only
Movie · as Reigning World Wrestling Champion (uncredited)
Almost Summer
Movie · as Football Coach
Taxi
TV · as Referee · 4 eps
Fantasy Island
TV · as The Referee · 1 ep
The Incredible Hulk
TV · 1 ep
No Way Back
Movie
Quincy, M.E.
TV · 1 ep
Black Samson
Movie · as Nappa's Gang
Dinah!
TV · as Self · 1 ep
Cleopatra Jones
Movie · as Mommy's Henchman (uncredited)
Walking Tall
Movie · as 2nd Bouncer
Slaughter's Big Rip-Off
Movie · as Leo (uncredited)
Melinda
Movie · as Hood
Hammer
Movie · as Referee
Blacula
Movie · as Second Dracula Henchman
The Challenge
Movie · as Karate Instructor
Land of the Giants
TV · as Mezron's Brother · 1 ep
Ironside
TV · 1 ep
Paradise, Hawaiian Style
Movie
The Green Hornet
TV · as Barney · 1 ep
The Wild Wild West
TV · as Felix · 1 ep
The Munsters
TV · as Tarzan McGirk · 1 ep
Burke's Law
TV · as Wrestler · 1 ep
The Beverly Hillbillies
TV · 2 eps
Blue Hawaii
Movie · as (uncredited)