Gene LeBell
Acting • Born 1932-10-09 – Died 2022-08-09
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.
Filmography
100 credits
Jackass: The Movie
Movie • 2002
Self
Loose Cannons
Movie • 1990
Grimmer's Man
Smokey Bites the Dust
Movie • 1981
Turk
Shaughnessy: The Iron Marshal
Movie • 1996
NYC bouncer
The Bad News Bears Go to Japan
Movie • 1978
Mean Bones' Manager
Eyes of an Angel
Movie • 1991
Pit Bull Handler
From Mexico With Love
Movie • 2009
Referee
Running Red
Movie • 1999
Mercier's Bodyguard
Cleopatra Jones
Movie • 1973
Mommy's Henchman (uncredited)
Hard Time
Movie • 1998
Eddie
Ring of Steel
Movie • 1994
MiB Bodyguard
Walking Tall
Movie • 1973
2nd Bouncer
Heartbeeps
Movie • 1981
Forklift Driver Robot
No Way Back
Movie • 1976
Dead Heat
Movie • 1988
Airplane!
Movie • 1980
Religious Zealot (uncredited)
Death Wish 4: The Crackdown
Movie • 1987
Cannery Guard
Paradise, Hawaiian Style
Movie • 1966
Batman & Robin
Movie • 1997
Arkham Asylum Property Room Guard
3 Ninjas Knuckle Up
Movie • 1995
Red-Haired Waste Plant Worker Punching Rocky (uncredited)
Micki & Maude
Movie • 1984
Wrestling Referee
Man on the Moon
Movie • 1999
Foxy Jackson Referee
Flesh & Blood
Movie • 1979
2nd Fat Guy
Goldie and the Boxer
Movie • 1979
Vinnie
Marciano
Movie • 1979
Ring Announcer
Ed Wood
Movie • 1994
Ring Announcer
Bad Guys
Movie • 1986
Terrible Turk Mc Gurk
Raging Bull
Movie • 1980
Ring Announcer (Reeves Fight)
Spider-Man 2
Movie • 2004
Train Passenger (uncredited)
The Search for Count Dante
Movie • 2020
Bloodfist IV: Die Trying
Movie • 1992
Burly
Jury Duty
Movie • 1995
Security Guard (uncredited)
The Ronda Rousey Story: Through My Father's Eyes
Movie • 2019
Self
Rush Hour
Movie • 1998
Taxi Driver
Number One with a Bullet
Movie • 1987
Referee
Rapid Fire
Movie • 1992
Red Haired Serrano Gunman (uncredited)
Fury of the Fist and the Golden Fleece
Movie • 2018
The Boss
I Am Bruce Lee
Movie • 2012
Self
Every Which Way but Loose
Movie • 1978
Biker
Men in Black II
Movie • 2002
Subway Passenger (uncredited)
Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid
Movie • 1982
Hood
Melinda
Movie • 1972
Hood
The Jerk
Movie • 1979
Con Man
Blue Hawaii
Movie • 1961
(uncredited)
The Golden Child
Movie • 1986
Drunken Biker (uncredited)
Hammer
Movie • 1972
Referee
Going Ape!
Movie • 1981
Faraday
I Wanna Hold Your Hand
Movie • 1978
Theatre Cop: Reese
Slaughter's Big Rip-Off
Movie • 1973
Leo (uncredited)
The One and Only
Movie • 1978
Reigning World Wrestling Champion (uncredited)
The Big Brawl
Movie • 1980
Stroke
Almost Summer
Movie • 1978
Football Coach
Double Tap
Movie • 1997
Wallace
Kickboxer 2: The Road Back
Movie • 1991
Referee
Black Samson
Movie • 1974
Nappa's Gang (as Gene LaBell)
The Challenge
Movie • 1970
Karate Instructor
Cellular
Movie • 2004
Driving Instructor (uncredited)
Alligator 2: The Mutation
Movie • 1991
Referee
Redbelt
Movie • 2008
Old Stuntman
M.A.N.T.I.S.
Movie • 1994
Rioter (uncredited)
Americathon
Movie • 1979
Referee
Foolin' Around
Movie • 1980
Paul
Blacula
Movie • 1972
Second Dracula Henchman
Bottoms Up
Movie • 2006
Milt
Welcome to 18
Movie • 1986
Motorcycle Cop
Rat Race
Movie • 2001
Veteran with Gun
On the Edge of Innocence
Movie • 1997
Security Guard
That '70s Show
TV • 1998
Referee
Falcon Crest
TV • 1981
Union Guy
Burke's Law
TV • 1963
Wrestler
The Incredible Hulk
TV • 1977
T. J. Hooker
TV • 1982
James Wallace
Simon & Simon
TV • 1981
The Munsters
TV • 1964
Tarzan McGirk
Knight Rider
TV • 1982
Junior
The Beverly Hillbillies
TV • 1962
Quincy, M.E.
TV • 1976
Reno 911!
TV • 2003
Old Man on Scooter
Baretta
TV • 1975
Land of the Giants
TV • 1968
Mezron's Brother
Hart to Hart
TV • 1979
The X-Files
TV • 1993
Bartender
Ironside
TV • 1967
Sledge Hammer!
TV • 1986
Archbishop
Taxi
TV • 1978
Referee
Married... with Children
TV • 1987
Larry
Married... with Children
TV • 1987
Referee
Married... with Children
TV • 1987
Black Ben
Taxi
TV • 1978
The Referee
The Human Factor
TV • 1992
Referee
Dinah!
TV • 1974
Self
The Green Hornet
TV • 1966
Barney
MacGyver
TV • 1985
Murph
Strong Medicine
TV • 2000
Referee
The Sarah Silverman Program.
TV • 2007
Carl
The Wild Wild West
TV • 1965
Felix
Reno 911!
TV • 2003
Grandpa
The Master
TV • 1984
Brawler (uncredited)
Family Matters
TV • 1989
Referee
Married... with Children
TV • 1987
Brutus