Gene LeBell

Gene LeBell

🎂 9th October 1932 (93 yrs) 📍 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.

Gene LeBell

🎬 Movies Featuring Gene LeBell

No Image

The Search for Count Dante (2020)

The Ronda Rousey Story: Through My Father's Eyes

The Ronda Rousey Story: Through My Father's Eyes (2019)

Fury of the Fist and the Golden Fleece

Fury of the Fist and the Golden Fleece (2018)

as The Boss
I Am Bruce Lee

I Am Bruce Lee (2012)

as Self
From Mexico With Love

From Mexico With Love (2009)

as Referee
Redbelt

Redbelt (2008)

as Old Stuntman
Bottoms Up

Bottoms Up (2006)

as Milt
Cellular

Cellular (2004)

as Driving Instructor (uncredited)
Spider-Man 2

Spider-Man 2 (2004)

as Train Passenger (uncredited)
Jackass: The Movie

Jackass: The Movie (2002)

as Self
Men in Black II

Men in Black II (2002)

as Subway Passenger (uncredited)
Rat Race

Rat Race (2001)

as Veteran with Gun
Man on the Moon

Man on the Moon (1999)

as Foxy Jackson Referee
Running Red

Running Red (1999)

as Mercier's Bodyguard
Hard Time

Hard Time (1998)

as Eddie
Rush Hour

Rush Hour (1998)

as Taxi Driver
Double Tap

Double Tap (1997)

as Wallace
Batman & Robin

Batman & Robin (1997)

as Arkham Asylum Property Room Guard
On the Edge of Innocence

On the Edge of Innocence (1997)

as Security Guard
Shaughnessy: The Iron Marshal

Shaughnessy: The Iron Marshal (1996)

as NYC bouncer
Jury Duty

Jury Duty (1995)

as Security Guard (uncredited)
3 Ninjas Knuckle Up

3 Ninjas Knuckle Up (1995)

as Red-Haired Waste Plant Worker Punching Rocky (uncredited)
Ed Wood

Ed Wood (1994)

as Ring Announcer
Ring of Steel

Ring of Steel (1994)

as MiB Bodyguard
M.A.N.T.I.S.

M.A.N.T.I.S. (1994)

as Rioter (uncredited)
Bloodfist IV: Die Trying

Bloodfist IV: Die Trying (1992)

as Burly
Rapid Fire

Rapid Fire (1992)

as Red Haired Serrano Gunman (uncredited)
Eyes of an Angel

Eyes of an Angel (1991)

as Pit Bull Handler
Alligator 2: The Mutation

Alligator 2: The Mutation (1991)

as Referee
Kickboxer 2: The Road Back

Kickboxer 2: The Road Back (1991)

as Referee
Loose Cannons

Loose Cannons (1990)

as Grimmer's Man
Dead Heat

Dead Heat (1988)

Death Wish 4: The Crackdown

Death Wish 4: The Crackdown (1987)

as Cannery Guard
Number One with a Bullet

Number One with a Bullet (1987)

as Referee
The Golden Child

The Golden Child (1986)

as Drunken Biker (uncredited)
Welcome to 18

Welcome to 18 (1986)

as Motorcycle Cop
Bad Guys

Bad Guys (1986)

as Terrible Turk Mc Gurk
Micki & Maude

Micki & Maude (1984)

as Wrestling Referee
Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid

Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid (1982)

as Hood
Heartbeeps

Heartbeeps (1981)

as Forklift Driver Robot
Smokey Bites the Dust

Smokey Bites the Dust (1981)

as Turk
Going Ape!

Going Ape! (1981)

as Faraday
Raging Bull

Raging Bull (1980)

as Ring Announcer (Reeves Fight)
Foolin' Around

Foolin' Around (1980)

as Paul
The Big Brawl

The Big Brawl (1980)

as Stroke
Airplane!

Airplane! (1980)

as Religious Zealot (uncredited)
Goldie and the Boxer

Goldie and the Boxer (1979)

as Vinnie
The Jerk

The Jerk (1979)

as Con Man
Marciano

Marciano (1979)

as Ring Announcer
Flesh & Blood

Flesh & Blood (1979)

as 2nd Fat Guy
Americathon

Americathon (1979)

as Referee
Every Which Way but Loose

Every Which Way but Loose (1978)

as Biker
The Bad News Bears Go to Japan

The Bad News Bears Go to Japan (1978)

as Mean Bones' Manager
Almost Summer

Almost Summer (1978)

as Football Coach
I Wanna Hold Your Hand

I Wanna Hold Your Hand (1978)

as Theatre Cop: Reese
The One and Only

The One and Only (1978)

as Reigning World Wrestling Champion (uncredited)
No Way Back

No Way Back (1976)

Black Samson

Black Samson (1974)

as Nappa's Gang (as Gene LaBell)
Slaughter's Big Rip-Off

Slaughter's Big Rip-Off (1973)

as Leo (uncredited)
Cleopatra Jones

Cleopatra Jones (1973)

as Mommy's Henchman (uncredited)
Walking Tall

Walking Tall (1973)

as 2nd Bouncer
Blacula

Blacula (1972)

as Second Dracula Henchman
Melinda

Melinda (1972)

as Hood
Hammer

Hammer (1972)

as Referee
The Challenge

The Challenge (1970)

as Karate Instructor
Paradise, Hawaiian Style

Paradise, Hawaiian Style (1966)

Blue Hawaii

Blue Hawaii (1961)

as (uncredited)