Gene LeBell
Acting
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.
Notable Works
Prominent titles featuring Gene LeBell
Filmography
Acting (69)
5.7
2018
Fury of the Fist and the Golden Fleeceas The Boss
3.9
2012
I Am Bruce Leeas Self
7.6
2009
From Mexico With Loveas Referee
5.8
2009
Blood and Boneas Attendant
7.4
2008
Redbeltas Old Stuntman
6.4
2006
Bottoms Upas Milt
3.1
2004
Cellularas Driving Instructor (uncredited)
6.4
2004
Spider-Man 2as Train Passenger (uncredited)
7.3
2002
Jackass: The Movieas Self
6.3
2002
Men in Black IIas Subway Passenger (uncredited)
6.4
2001
Rat Raceas Veteran with Gun
6.3
1999
Man on the Moonas Foxy Jackson Referee
7.2
1999
Running Redas Mercier's Bodyguard
5.5
1998
Hard Timeas Eddie
5.9
1998
Rush Houras Taxi Driver
7.1
1997
Double Tapas Wallace
5.1
1997
Batman & Robinas Arkham Asylum Property Room Guard
4.4
1997
On the Edge of Innocenceas Security Guard
5.3
1996
Shaughnessy: The Iron Marshalas NYC bouncer
7.0
1995
Jury Dutyas Security Guard (uncredited)
4.4
1995
3 Ninjas Knuckle Upas Red-Haired Waste Plant Worker Punching Rocky (uncredited)
5.2
1994
Ed Woodas Ring Announcer
7.5
1994
Ring of Steelas MiB Bodyguard
4.9
1994
M.A.N.T.I.S.as Rioter (uncredited)
5.2
1992
Bloodfist IV: Die Tryingas Burly
5.3
1992
Rapid Fireas Red Haired Serrano Gunman (uncredited)
6.4
1991
Eyes of an Angelas Pit Bull Handler
7.3
1991
Alligator 2: The Mutationas Referee
4.9
1991
Kickboxer 2: The Road Backas Referee
5.6
1990
Loose Cannonsas Grimmer's Man
5.0
1988
6.2
1987
Death Wish 4: The Crackdownas Cannery Guard
5.7
1987
Number One with a Bulletas Referee
4.6
1986
The Golden Childas Drunken Biker (uncredited)
5.9
1986
Welcome to 18as Motorcycle Cop
3.3
1986
Bad Guysas Terrible Turk Mc Gurk
8.0
1984
Micki & Maudeas Wrestling Referee
5.7
1984
City Heatas Garage Soldier
5.5
1982
Dead Men Don't Wear Plaidas Hood
6.6
1981
Heartbeepsas Forklift Driver Robot
4.5
1981
Smokey Bites the Dustas Turk
2.8
1981
Going Ape!as Faraday
4.5
1980
Raging Bullas Ring Announcer (Reeves Fight)
7.9
1980
Foolin' Aroundas Paul
6.2
1980
The Big Brawlas Stroke
5.9
1980
Airplane!as Religious Zealot (uncredited)
7.3
1979
Goldie and the Boxeras Vinnie
5.6
1979
The Jerkas Con Man
6.9
1979
Marcianoas Ring Announcer
7.0
1979
Flesh & Bloodas 2nd Fat Guy
5.9
1979
Americathonas Referee
3.6
1978
Every Which Way but Looseas Biker
6.1
1978
The Bad News Bears Go to Japanas Mean Bones' Manager
4.8
1978
Almost Summeras Football Coach
5.4
1978
I Wanna Hold Your Handas Theatre Cop: Reese
6.3
1978
The One and Onlyas Reigning World Wrestling Champion (uncredited)
6.0
1976
5.2
1974
Black Samsonas Nappa's Gang
5.0
1973
Slaughter's Big Rip-Offas Leo (uncredited)
4.8
1973
Cleopatra Jonesas Mommy's Henchman (uncredited)
5.7
1973
Walking Tallas 2nd Bouncer
6.6
1972
Blaculaas Second Dracula Henchman
5.5
1972
Melindaas Hood
4.8
1972
Hammeras Referee
5.4
1970
The Challengeas Karate Instructor
7.0
5.1
1961
Blue Hawaiias (uncredited)
6.0
Production & Directing (135)
2007
Reno 911!: MiamiStunts
5.8
2006
Smokin' AcesStunts
6.5
2006
Bottoms UpStunts
3.1
2006
BeerfestStunts
5.8
2005
Mr. & Mrs. SmithUtility Stunts
6.7
2004
Starsky & HutchStunts
5.8
2003
Bruce AlmightyStunts
6.7
2002
Deuces WildStunts
5.5
2001
The Last CastleStunts
7.2
2001
BanditsStunts
6.3
2000
Dude, Where's My Car?Stunts
5.5
2000
4.3
1999
Man on the MoonStunts
7.2
1999
End of DaysUtility Stunts
6.1
1999
The Hunter's MoonStunts
5.8
1999
Mystery MenStunts
5.9
1999
Running RedStunts
5.5
1998
U.S. MarshalsStunts
6.6
1997
As Good as It GetsStunts
7.4
1997
L.A. ConfidentialStunts
7.8
1997
Double TapStunts
5.1
1997
The BraveStunts
6.0
1997
BeanStunts
6.5
1997
Batman & RobinStunts
4.4
1997
Gone Fishin'Stunts
4.9
1997
Trial and ErrorStunts
5.4
1997
Liar LiarStunts
6.7
1997
Judge and JuryStunts
6.2
1997
Vegas VacationStunts
6.0
1997
Dante's PeakStunts
6.3
1996
Jingle All the WayStunts
6.1
1996
Independence DayStunts
6.9
1995
Money TrainStunts
5.9
1995
Strange DaysStunts
7.0
1995
WaterworldStunts
6.2
1995
Jury DutyStunts
4.4
1995
3 Ninjas Knuckle UpStunts
5.2
1995
Steel FrontierStunts
4.8
1995
BallisticStunts
3.5
1994
Blown AwayStunts
6.2
1994
6.5
1993
C.I.A. II: Target AlexaStunts
4.6
1993
Conflict of InterestStunts
4.5
1992
Army of DarknessStunts
7.3
1992
Night and the CityStunts
5.7
1992
Rapid FireStunts
6.4
1992
Patriot GamesStunts
6.7
1991
The Last Boy ScoutStunts
6.8
1991
For the BoysStunts
6.4
1991
Write to KillStunts
5.7
1991
Trancers IIStunts
5.6
1991
DutchStunts
6.5
1991
Out for JusticeStunts
6.2
1991
HookStunts
6.8
1990
Almost an AngelStunts
5.8
1990
Marked for DeathStunts
6.1
1990
Death WarrantStunts
6.3
1990
Men at WorkStunts
5.7
1990
DarkmanStunts
6.4
1990
Problem ChildStunts
6.2
1990
Die Hard 2Stunts
7.0
1990
RoboCop 2Stunts
6.0
1990
Dick TracyStunts
6.2
1990
Total RecallStunts
7.3
1990
Hard to KillStunts
6.0
1990
Internal AffairsStunts
6.4
1989
Tango & CashStunts
6.5
1989
No Holds BarredStunts
4.7
1989
Fletch LivesStunts
6.0
1988
Mac and MeStunts
4.5
1988
Dead HeatStunts
6.2
1987
Code Name: ZebraStunts
3.0
1987
The Running ManStunts
6.5
1987
The Lost BoysStunts
7.1
1987
RoboCopStunts
7.4
1987
NightforceStunts
4.0
1987
Blind DateStunts
6.0
1987
Number One with a BulletStunts
4.6
1986
The Morning AfterStunts
6.0
1986
The Golden ChildStunts
5.9
1986
A Fine MessStunts
4.6
1986
Eye of the TigerStunts
6.1
1985
Rocky IVStunts
7.1
1985
Runaway TrainStunts
7.0
1985
City LimitsStunts
2.8
1985
D.A.R.Y.L.Stunts
6.4
1985
FletchStunts
6.8
1985
5.3
1984
Johnny DangerouslyStunts
6.3
1983
Losin' ItStunts
5.0
1983
Heart Like a WheelStunts
5.9
1982
They Call Me Bruce?Stunts
5.0
1982
The BeastmasterStunts
6.3
1982
White DogStunts
6.6
1981
Smokey Bites the DustStunts
2.8
1980
Inside MovesStunts
6.3
1980
Airplane!Stunts
7.3
1980
Bronco BillyStunts
6.3
1979
The Prize FighterStunts
5.3
1979
AmericathonStunts
3.6
1979
The Fantastic SevenStunts
3.0
1978
6.1
1978
The Fifth FloorStunts
5.0
1978
Almost SummerStunts
5.4
1978
I Wanna Hold Your HandStunts
6.3
1978
The One and OnlyStunt Coordinator
6.0
1977
Black SundayStunts
6.7
1976
King KongStunts
6.3
1976
RockyStunts
7.8
1976
The Big BusStunts
5.3
1975
Let's Do It AgainStunts
6.9
1975
The Day of the LocustStunts
6.4
1974
Freebie and the BeanStunts
6.1
1974
The Towering InfernoStunts
7.0
1974
EarthquakeStunts
6.2
1974
The GamblerStunts
6.7
1974
99 and 44/100% DeadStunts
5.2
1974
Black SamsonStunts
5.0
1974
California SplitStunts
6.5
1974
BustingStunts
6.2
1973
Hell Up In HarlemStunts
5.5
1973
Cleopatra JonesStunts
5.7
1973
Walking TallStunts
6.6
1972
BlaculaStunts
5.5
1972
6.2
1970
6.8
1970
6.1
1968
The SplitStunts
6.7
1968
Don't Just Stand ThereStunt Coordinator
7.0
1968
Planet of the ApesStunts
7.7
1967
The Happiest MillionaireStunt Coordinator
6.9
1966
5.9
1966
Three on a CouchStunts
5.4
1965
7 WomenStunts
6.5
1963
4 for TexasStunts
5.1