Gene LeBell
Acting·October 9, 1932·† August 9, 2022 — 89 years old·Los Angeles, California, USA
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.
Known For
Filmography · 212
2020The Search for Count Dante2019The Ronda Rousey Story: Through My Father's EyesSelf2018Fury of the Fist and the Golden FleeceThe Boss2012I Am Bruce LeeSelf2009From Mexico With LoveReferee2009Blood and BoneAttendant2008RedbeltOld Stuntman2007Reno 911!: MiamiStunts2007The Sarah Silverman Program.TVCarl2006Smokin' AcesStunts2006Bottoms UpMilt · Stunts2006BeerfestStunts2005Mr. & Mrs. SmithUtility Stunts2004CellularDriving Instructor (uncredited)2004Spider-Man 2Train Passenger (uncredited)2004Starsky & HutchStunts2003Reno 911!TVOld Man on Scooter · Grandpa2003Bruce AlmightyStunts2002Jackass: The MovieSelf2002Men in Black IISubway Passenger (uncredited)2002Deuces WildStunts2001The Last CastleStunts2001BanditsStunts2001Rat RaceVeteran with Gun2000Dude, Where's My Car?Stunts2000Strong MedicineTVReferee2000The Extreme Adventures of Super DaveStunts1999Man on the MoonFoxy Jackson Referee · Stunts1999End of DaysUtility Stunts1999The Hunter's MoonStunts1999Mystery MenStunts1999Running RedMercier's Bodyguard · Stunts1998Hard TimeEddie1998Rush HourTaxi Driver1998That '70s ShowTVReferee1998U.S. MarshalsStunts1997As Good as It GetsStunts1997L.A. ConfidentialStunts1997Double TapWallace · Stunts1997The BraveStunts1997BeanStunts1997Batman & RobinArkham Asylum Property Room Guard · Stunts1997Trial and ErrorStunts1997Gone Fishin'Stunts1997On the Edge of InnocenceSecurity Guard1997Liar LiarStunts1997Judge and JuryStunts1997Vegas VacationStunts1997Dante's PeakStunts1996Jingle All the WayStunts1996Independence DayStunts1996Shaughnessy: The Iron MarshalNYC bouncer1995Money TrainStunts1995Strange DaysStunts1995WaterworldStunts1995Jury DutySecurity Guard (uncredited) · Stunts19953 Ninjas Knuckle UpRed-Haired Waste Plant Worker Punching Rocky (uncredited) · Stunts1995Steel FrontierStunts1995BallisticStunts1994Ed WoodRing Announcer1994Blown AwayStunts1994Ring of SteelMiB Bodyguard1994Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final InsultStunts1994M.A.N.T.I.S.Rioter (uncredited)1993C.I.A. II: Target AlexaStunts1993The X-FilesTVBartender1993Conflict of InterestStunts1992Bloodfist IV: Die TryingBurly1992Army of DarknessStunts1992Night and the CityStunts1992Rapid FireRed Haired Serrano Gunman (uncredited) · Stunts1992Patriot GamesStunts1992The Human FactorTVReferee1991The Last Boy ScoutStunts1991For the BoysStunts1991Write to KillStunts1991Trancers IIStunts1991Eyes of an AngelPit Bull Handler1991DutchStunts1991Alligator 2: The MutationReferee1991Out for JusticeStunts1991HookStunts1991Kickboxer 2: The Road BackReferee1990Almost an AngelStunts1990Marked for DeathStunts1990Death WarrantStunts1990DarkmanStunts1990Men at WorkStunts1990Problem ChildStunts1990Die Hard 2Stunts1990RoboCop 2Stunts1990Dick TracyStunts1990Total RecallStunts1990Loose CannonsGrimmer's Man1990Hard to KillStunts1990Internal AffairsStunts1989Tango & CashStunts1989Family MattersTVReferee1989No Holds BarredStunts1989Fletch LivesStunts1988Mac and MeStunts1988Dead HeatStunts1987Code Name: ZebraStunts1987The Running ManStunts1987The Lost BoysStunts1987RoboCopStunts1987Death Wish 4: The CrackdownCannery Guard1987NightforceStunts1987Married... with ChildrenTVLarry · Referee · Black Ben · Brutus1987Blind DateStunts1987Number One with a BulletReferee · Stunts1986The Morning AfterStunts1986The Golden ChildDrunken Biker (uncredited) · Stunts1986Sledge Hammer!TVArchbishop1986A Fine MessStunts1986Eye of the TigerStunts1986Welcome to 18Motorcycle Cop1986Bad GuysTerrible Turk Mc Gurk1985Rocky IVStunts1985Runaway TrainStunts1985MacGyverTVMurph1985City LimitsStunts1985D.A.R.Y.L.Stunts1985FletchStunts1985Friday the 13th: A New BeginningStunts1984Micki & MaudeWrestling Referee1984Johnny DangerouslyStunts1984The MasterTVBrawler (uncredited)1983Losin' ItStunts1983Heart Like a WheelStunts1982They Call Me Bruce?Stunts1982Knight RiderTVJunior1982The BeastmasterStunts1982White DogStunts1982Dead Men Don't Wear PlaidHood1982T. J. HookerTVJames Wallace1981HeartbeepsForklift Driver Robot1981Falcon CrestTVUnion Guy1981Simon & SimonTV1981Smokey Bites the DustTurk · Stunts1981Going Ape!Faraday1980Inside MovesStunts1980Magnum, P.I.TVStunt Double1980Raging BullRing Announcer (Reeves Fight)1980Foolin' AroundPaul1980The Big BrawlStroke1980Airplane!Religious Zealot (uncredited) · Stunts1980Bronco BillyStunts1979Goldie and the BoxerVinnie1979The JerkCon Man1979The Prize FighterStunts1979MarcianoRing Announcer1979Flesh & Blood2nd Fat Guy1979Flesh & BloodTV2nd Fat Guy1979Hart to HartTVHeavy #21979AmericathonReferee · Stunts1979The Fantastic SevenStunts1978Every Which Way but LooseBiker · Stunts1978The Fifth FloorStunts1978TaxiTVReferee · The Referee1978The Bad News Bears Go to JapanMean Bones' Manager1978Almost SummerFootball Coach · Stunts1978I Wanna Hold Your HandTheatre Cop: Reese · Stunts1978The One and OnlyReigning World Wrestling Champion (uncredited) · Stunt Coordinator1978Fantasy IslandTVThe Referee1977The Incredible HulkTV1977Black SundayStunts1976RockyStunts1976Quincy, M.E.TV1976King KongStunts1976The Big BusStunts1976No Way Back1975Let's Do It AgainStunts1975The Day of the LocustStunts1975BarettaTV1974Freebie and the BeanStunts1974The Towering InfernoStunts1974EarthquakeStunts1974Dinah!TVSelf1974The GamblerStunts197499 and 44/100% DeadStunts1974Black SamsonNappa's Gang · Stunts1974California SplitStunts1974BustingStunts1973Hell Up In HarlemStunts1973Slaughter's Big Rip-OffLeo (uncredited)1973Cleopatra JonesMommy's Henchman (uncredited) · Stunts1973Walking Tall2nd Bouncer · Stunts1972BlaculaSecond Dracula Henchman · Stunts1972MelindaHood1972HammerReferee1972Conquest of the Planet of the ApesStunts1970There Was a Crooked Man...Stunts1970Beneath the Planet of the ApesStunts1970The ChallengeKarate Instructor1968The SplitStunts1968Land of the GiantsTVMezron's Brother1968Don't Just Stand ThereStunt Coordinator1968Planet of the ApesStunts1967The Happiest MillionaireStunt Coordinator1967IronsideTV1966The Green HornetTVBarney1966What Did You Do in the War, Daddy?Stunts1966Paradise, Hawaiian Style1966Three on a CouchStunts19657 WomenStunts1965The Wild Wild WestTVFelix1964The MunstersTVTarzan McGirk19634 for TexasStunts1963Burke's LawTVWrestler1962The Beverly HillbilliesTV1961Blue Hawaii(uncredited)