Gene LeBell
ActingAlso Known As
Gene Le Bell, Gene La Bell
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.
Movies
(67 total)
Spider-Man 2
as Train Passenger (uncredited)
Men in Black II
as Subway Passenger (uncredited)
Rush Hour
as Taxi Driver
Batman & Robin
as Arkham Asylum Property Room Guard
Airplane!
as Religious Zealot (uncredited)
Raging Bull
as Ring Announcer (Reeves Fight)
Ed Wood
as Ring Announcer
Cellular
as Driving Instructor (uncredited)
Man on the Moon
as Foxy Jackson Referee
Rat Race
as Veteran with Gun
Jackass: The Movie
as Self
The Golden Child
as Drunken Biker (uncredited)
The Jerk
as Con Man
Every Which Way but Loose
as Biker
Death Wish 4: The Crackdown
as Cannery Guard
Redbelt
as Old Stuntman
Rapid Fire
as Red Haired Serrano Gunman (uncredited)
3 Ninjas Knuckle Up
as Red-Haired Waste Plant Worker Punching Rocky (uncredited)
TV Shows
(33 total)
The X-Files
as Bartender
That '70s Show
as Referee
Knight Rider
as Junior
Married... with Children
as Larry
Married... with Children
as Referee
Married... with Children
as Black Ben
Married... with Children
as Brutus
MacGyver
as Murph
The Munsters
as Tarzan McGirk
Family Matters
as Referee
Reno 911!
as Old Man on Scooter
Reno 911!
as Grandpa
Taxi
as Referee
Taxi
as The Referee
Sledge Hammer!
as Archbishop
T. J. Hooker
as James Wallace