Gene LeBell
- Known for
- Acting
- Born
- October 9, 1932, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Died
- August 9, 2022
- Movies
- 69
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.
Best-Known Movies
Filmography
| 2020 | The Search for Count Dante | |
| 2019 | The Ronda Rousey Story: Through My Father's Eyes | Self |
| 2018 | Fury of the Fist and the Golden Fleece | The Boss |
| 2012 | I Am Bruce Lee | Self |
| 2009 | From Mexico With Love | Referee |
| 2009 | Blood and Bone | Attendant |
| 2008 | Redbelt | Old Stuntman |
| 2006 | Bottoms Up | Milt |
| 2004 | Cellular | Driving Instructor (uncredited) |
| 2004 | Spider-Man 2 | Train Passenger (uncredited) |
| 2002 | Jackass: The Movie | Self |
| 2002 | Men in Black II | Subway Passenger (uncredited) |
| 2001 | Rat Race | Veteran with Gun |
| 1999 | Man on the Moon | Foxy Jackson Referee |
| 1999 | Running Red | Mercier's Bodyguard |
| 1998 | Hard Time | Eddie |
| 1998 | Rush Hour | Taxi Driver |
| 1997 | Double Tap | Wallace |
| 1997 | Batman & Robin | Arkham Asylum Property Room Guard |
| 1997 | On the Edge of Innocence | Security Guard |
| 1996 | Shaughnessy: The Iron Marshal | NYC bouncer |
| 1995 | Jury Duty | Security Guard (uncredited) |
| 1995 | 3 Ninjas Knuckle Up | Red-Haired Waste Plant Worker Punching Rocky (uncredited) |
| 1994 | Ed Wood | Ring Announcer |
| 1994 | Ring of Steel | MiB Bodyguard |
| 1994 | M.A.N.T.I.S. | Rioter (uncredited) |
| 1992 | Bloodfist IV: Die Trying | Burly |
| 1992 | Rapid Fire | Red Haired Serrano Gunman (uncredited) |
| 1991 | Eyes of an Angel | Pit Bull Handler |
| 1991 | Alligator 2: The Mutation | Referee |
| 1991 | Kickboxer 2: The Road Back | Referee |
| 1990 | Loose Cannons | Grimmer's Man |
| 1988 | Dead Heat | |
| 1987 | Death Wish 4: The Crackdown | Cannery Guard |
| 1987 | Number One with a Bullet | Referee |
| 1986 | The Golden Child | Drunken Biker (uncredited) |
| 1986 | Welcome to 18 | Motorcycle Cop |
| 1986 | Bad Guys | Terrible Turk Mc Gurk |
| 1984 | Micki & Maude | Wrestling Referee |
| 1984 | City Heat | Garage Soldier |
| 1982 | Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid | Hood |
| 1981 | Heartbeeps | Forklift Driver Robot |
| 1981 | Smokey Bites the Dust | Turk |
| 1981 | Going Ape! | Faraday |
| 1980 | Raging Bull | Ring Announcer (Reeves Fight) |
| 1980 | Foolin' Around | Paul |
| 1980 | The Big Brawl | Stroke |
| 1980 | Airplane! | Religious Zealot (uncredited) |
| 1979 | Goldie and the Boxer | Vinnie |
| 1979 | The Jerk | Con Man |
| 1979 | Marciano | Ring Announcer |
| 1979 | Flesh & Blood | 2nd Fat Guy |
| 1979 | Americathon | Referee |
| 1978 | Every Which Way but Loose | Biker |
| 1978 | The Bad News Bears Go to Japan | Mean Bones' Manager |
| 1978 | Almost Summer | Football Coach |
| 1978 | I Wanna Hold Your Hand | Theatre Cop: Reese |
| 1978 | The One and Only | Reigning World Wrestling Champion (uncredited) |
| 1976 | No Way Back | |
| 1974 | Black Samson | Nappa's Gang |
| 1973 | Slaughter's Big Rip-Off | Leo (uncredited) |
| 1973 | Cleopatra Jones | Mommy's Henchman (uncredited) |
| 1973 | Walking Tall | 2nd Bouncer |
| 1972 | Blacula | Second Dracula Henchman |
| 1972 | Melinda | Hood |
| 1972 | Hammer | Referee |
| 1970 | The Challenge | Karate Instructor |
| 1966 | Paradise, Hawaiian Style | |
| 1961 | Blue Hawaii | (uncredited) |
Data from TMDB. This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB.