Gene LeBell
Personal Info
Known for
Acting
Gender
Male
Birthday
1932-10-09
Day of Death
2022-08-09 (89 years old)
Place of Birth
Los Angeles, California, USA
Gene LeBell
Biography
Ivan Gene LeBell (born October 9, 1932) 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.
Acting
(2021)
(2020)
(2019)
(2018)
Fury of the Fist and the Golden Fleece
as The Boss
(2012)
I Am Bruce Lee
as Self
(2009)
From Mexico With Love
as Referee
(2008)
Redbelt
as Old Stuntman
(2004)
Spider-Man 2
as Train Passenger (uncredited)
(2004)
Cellular
as Driving Instructor (uncredited)
(2002)
Men in Black II
as Subway Passenger (uncredited)
(2002)
Jackass: The Movie
as Self
(2001)
Rat Race
as Veteran with Gun
(1999)
Man on the Moon
as Foxy Jackson Referee
(1999)
Running Red
as Mercier's Bodyguard
(1998)
Rush Hour
as Taxi Driver
(1998)
Hard Time
as Eddie
(1997)
Batman & Robin
as Arkham Asylum Property Room Guard
(1997)
Double Tap
as Wallace
(1996)
Shaughnessy: The Iron Marshal
as NYC bouncer
(1995)
3 Ninjas Knuckle Up
as Red-Haired Waste Plant Worker Punching Rocky (uncredited)
(1995)
Jury Duty
as Security Guard (uncredited)
(1994)
Ed Wood
as Ring Announcer
(1994)
M.A.N.T.I.S.
as Rioter (uncredited)
(1994)
Ring of Steel
as MiB Bodyguard
(1992)
Rapid Fire
as Red Haired Serrano Gunman (uncredited)
(1992)
Bloodfist IV: Die Trying
as Burly
(1991)
Kickboxer 2: The Road Back
as Referee
(1991)
Eyes of an Angel
as Pit Bull Handler
(1991)
Alligator 2: The Mutation
as Referee
(1990)
Loose Cannons
as Grimmer's Man
(1988)
(1987)
Death Wish 4: The Crackdown
as Cannery Guard
(1987)
Number One with a Bullet
as Referee
(1986)
The Golden Child
as Drunken Biker (uncredited)
(1986)
Bad Guys
as Terrible Turk Mc Gurk
(1984)
Micki & Maude
as Wrestling Referee
(1982)
Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid
as Hood
(1981)
Heartbeeps
as Forklift Driver Robot
(1981)
Going Ape!
as Faraday
(1981)
Smokey Bites the Dust
as Turk
(1980)
Airplane!
as Religious Zealot (uncredited)
(1980)
Raging Bull
as Ring Announcer (Reeves Fight)
(1980)
The Big Brawl
as Stroke (as Gene La Bell)
(1980)
Foolin' Around
as Paul
(1979)
The Jerk
as Con Man
(1979)
Flesh & Blood
as 2nd Fat Guy
(1979)
Americathon
as Referee
(1979)
Goldie and the Boxer
as Vinnie
(1979)
Marciano
as Ring Announcer
(1978)
Every Which Way but Loose
as Biker
(1978)
The Bad News Bears Go to Japan
as Mean Bones' Manager
(1978)
I Wanna Hold Your Hand
as Theatre Cop: Reese
(1978)
The One and Only
as Reigning World Wrestling Champion (uncredited)
(1978)
Almost Summer
as Football Coach
(1976)
(1974)
Black Samson
as Nappa's Gang (as Gene LaBell)
(1973)
Walking Tall
as 2nd Bouncer
(1973)
Cleopatra Jones
as Mommy's Henchman (uncredited)
(1973)
Slaughter's Big Rip-Off
as Leo (uncredited)
(1972)
Blacula
as Second Dracula Henchman
(1972)
Hammer
as Referee
(1972)
Melinda
as Hood
(1970)
The Challenge
as Karate Instructor
(1966)
(1961)
Blue Hawaii
as (uncredited)
Crew
(2007)
Reno 911!: Miami
Stunts
(2006)
Beerfest
Stunts
(2006)
Bottoms Up
Stunts
(2006)
Smokin' Aces
Stunts
(2005)
Mr. & Mrs. Smith
Utility Stunts
(2004)
Starsky & Hutch
Stunts
(2003)
Bruce Almighty
Stunts
(2002)
Deuces Wild
Stunts
(2001)
The Last Castle
Stunts
(2001)
Bandits
Stunts
(2000)
Dude, Where's My Car?
Stunts
(2000)
(1999)
Man on the Moon
Stunts
(1999)
Running Red
Stunts
(1999)
Mystery Men
Stunts
(1999)
End of Days
Utility Stunts
(1999)
The Hunter's Moon
Stunts
(1998)
U.S. Marshals
Stunts
(1997)
L.A. Confidential
Stunts
(1997)
Liar Liar
Stunts
(1997)
Vegas Vacation
Stunts
(1997)
Bean
Stunts
(1997)
As Good as It Gets
Stunts
(1997)
Judge and Jury
Stunts
(1997)
Double Tap
Stunts
(1997)
Gone Fishin'
Stunts
(1997)
Batman & Robin
Stunts
(1997)
Trial and Error
Stunts
(1997)
The Brave
Stunts
(1997)
Dante's Peak
Stunts
(1996)
Jingle All the Way
Stunts
(1996)
Independence Day
Stunts
(1995)
3 Ninjas Knuckle Up
Stunts
(1995)
Steel Frontier
Stunts
(1995)
Ballistic
Stunts
(1995)
Waterworld
Stunts
(1995)
Strange Days
Stunts
(1995)
Jury Duty
Stunts
(1995)
Money Train
Stunts
(1994)
(1994)
Blown Away
Stunts
(1993)
C.I.A. II: Target Alexa
Stunts
(1993)
Conflict of Interest
Stunts
(1992)
Patriot Games
Stunts
(1992)
Night and the City
Stunts
(1992)
Rapid Fire
Stunts
(1992)
Army of Darkness
Stunts
(1991)
Dutch
Stunts
(1991)
The Last Boy Scout
Stunts
(1991)
Write to Kill
Stunts
(1991)
Out for Justice
Stunts
(1991)
(1991)
Hook
Stunts
(1991)
For the Boys
Stunts
(1990)
RoboCop 2
Stunts
(1990)
Die Hard 2
Stunts
(1990)
Total Recall
Stunts
(1990)
Dick Tracy
Stunts
(1990)
Men at Work
Stunts
(1990)
Marked for Death
Stunts
(1990)
Darkman
Stunts
(1990)
Problem Child
Stunts
(1990)
Hard to Kill
Stunts
(1990)
Internal Affairs
Stunts
(1990)
Almost an Angel
Stunts
(1990)
Death Warrant
Stunts
(1989)
Tango & Cash
Stunts
(1989)
No Holds Barred
Stunts
(1989)
Fletch Lives
Stunts
(1988)
Mac and Me
Stunts
(1988)
Dead Heat
Stunts
(1987)
Number One with a Bullet
Stunts
(1987)
Nightforce
Stunts
(1987)
RoboCop
Stunts
(1987)
Blind Date
Stunts
(1987)
The Running Man
Stunts
(1987)
The Lost Boys
Stunts
(1987)
Code Name: Zebra
Stunts
(1986)
Eye of the Tiger
Stunts
(1986)
The Morning After
Stunts
(1986)
A Fine Mess
Stunts
(1986)
The Golden Child
Stunts
(1985)
Rocky IV
Stunts
(1985)
Fletch
Stunts
(1985)
Runaway Train
Stunts
(1985)
D.A.R.Y.L.
Stunts
(1985)
City Limits
Stunts
(1985)
(1984)
Johnny Dangerously
Stunts
(1983)
Heart Like a Wheel
Stunts
(1983)
Losin' It
Stunts
(1982)
They Call Me Bruce?
Stunts
(1982)
The Beastmaster
Stunts
(1982)
White Dog
Stunts
(1981)
Smokey Bites the Dust
Stunts
(1980)
Airplane!
Stunts
(1980)
Inside Moves
Stunts
(1980)
Bronco Billy
Stunts
(1979)
The Prize Fighter
Stunts
(1979)
The Fantastic Seven
Stunts
(1979)
Americathon
Stunts
(1978)
(1978)
I Wanna Hold Your Hand
Stunts
(1978)
The Fifth Floor
Stunts
(1978)
Almost Summer
Stunts
(1978)
The One and Only
Stunt Coordinator
(1977)
Black Sunday
Stunts
(1976)
The Big Bus
Stunts
(1976)
King Kong
Stunts
(1976)
Rocky
Stunts
(1975)
The Day of the Locust
Stunts
(1975)
Let's Do It Again
Stunts
(1974)
99 and 44/100% Dead
Stunts
(1974)
The Towering Inferno
Stunts
(1974)
Earthquake
Stunts
(1974)
The Gambler
Stunts
(1974)
Freebie and the Bean
Stunts
(1974)
Black Samson
Stunts
(1974)
Busting
Stunts
(1974)
California Split
Stunts
(1973)
Cleopatra Jones
Stunts
(1973)
Walking Tall
Stunts
(1973)
Hell Up In Harlem
Stunts
(1972)
(1972)
Blacula
Stunts
(1970)
(1970)
(1968)
Planet of the Apes
Stunts
(1968)
The Split
Stunts
(1968)
Don't Just Stand There
Stunt Coordinator
(1967)
The Happiest Millionaire
Stunt Coordinator
(1966)
Three on a Couch
Stunts
(1966)
(1965)
7 Women
Stunts
(1963)
4 for Texas
Stunts