Gene LeBell
- Known for
- Acting
- Born
- October 9, 1932
- Died
- August 9, 2022
- Birthplace
- 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.
Filmography
- The Search for Count Dante
The Search for Count Dante 2020
Actor
The Ronda Rousey Story: Through My Father's Eyes 2019
as Self
Fury of the Fist and the Golden Fleece 2018
as The Boss
I Am Bruce Lee 2012
as Self
From Mexico With Love 2009
as Referee
Blood and Bone 2009
as Attendant
Redbelt 2008
as Old Stuntman
Reno 911!: Miami 2007
Stunts
Smokin' Aces 2006
Stunts
Bottoms Up 2006
as Milt, Stunts
Beerfest 2006
Stunts
Mr. & Mrs. Smith 2005
Utility Stunts
Cellular 2004
as Driving Instructor (uncredited)
Spider-Man 2 2004
as Train Passenger (uncredited)
Starsky & Hutch 2004
Stunts
Bruce Almighty 2003
Stunts
Jackass: The Movie 2002
as Self
Men in Black II 2002
as Subway Passenger (uncredited)
Deuces Wild 2002
Stunts
The Last Castle 2001
Stunts
Bandits 2001
Stunts
Rat Race 2001
as Veteran with Gun
Dude, Where's My Car? 2000
Stunts
The Extreme Adventures of Super Dave 2000
Stunts
Man on the Moon 1999
as Foxy Jackson Referee, Stunts
End of Days 1999
Utility Stunts
The Hunter's Moon 1999
Stunts
Mystery Men 1999
Stunts
Running Red 1999
as Mercier's Bodyguard, Stunts
Hard Time 1998
as Eddie
Rush Hour 1998
as Taxi Driver
U.S. Marshals 1998
Stunts
As Good as It Gets 1997
Stunts
L.A. Confidential 1997
Stunts
Double Tap 1997
as Wallace, Stunts
The Brave 1997
Stunts
Bean 1997
Stunts
Batman & Robin 1997
as Arkham Asylum Property Room Guard, Stunts
Trial and Error 1997
Stunts
Gone Fishin' 1997
Stunts
On the Edge of Innocence 1997
as Security Guard
Liar Liar 1997
Stunts
Judge and Jury 1997
Stunts
Vegas Vacation 1997
Stunts
Dante's Peak 1997
Stunts
Jingle All the Way 1996
Stunts
Independence Day 1996
Stunts
Shaughnessy: The Iron Marshal 1996
as NYC bouncer
Money Train 1995
Stunts
Strange Days 1995
Stunts
Waterworld 1995
Stunts
Jury Duty 1995
as Security Guard (uncredited), Stunts
3 Ninjas Knuckle Up 1995
as Red-Haired Waste Plant Worker Punching Rocky (uncredited), Stunts
Steel Frontier 1995
Stunts
Ballistic 1995
Stunts
Ed Wood 1994
as Ring Announcer
Blown Away 1994
Stunts
Ring of Steel 1994
as MiB Bodyguard
Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insult 1994
Stunts
M.A.N.T.I.S. 1994
as Rioter (uncredited)
C.I.A. II: Target Alexa 1993
Stunts
Conflict of Interest 1993
Stunts
Bloodfist IV: Die Trying 1992
as Burly
Army of Darkness 1992
Stunts
Night and the City 1992
Stunts
Rapid Fire 1992
as Red Haired Serrano Gunman (uncredited), Stunts
Patriot Games 1992
Stunts
The Last Boy Scout 1991
Stunts
For the Boys 1991
Stunts
Write to Kill 1991
Stunts
Trancers II 1991
Stunts
Eyes of an Angel 1991
as Pit Bull Handler
Dutch 1991
Stunts
Alligator 2: The Mutation 1991
as Referee
Out for Justice 1991
Stunts
Hook 1991
Stunts
Kickboxer 2: The Road Back 1991
as Referee
Almost an Angel 1990
Stunts
Marked for Death 1990
Stunts
Death Warrant 1990
Stunts
Darkman 1990
Stunts
Men at Work 1990
Stunts
Problem Child 1990
Stunts
Die Hard 2 1990
Stunts
RoboCop 2 1990
Stunts
Dick Tracy 1990
Stunts
Total Recall 1990
Stunts
Hard to Kill 1990
Stunts
Loose Cannons 1990
as Grimmer's Man
Internal Affairs 1990
Stunts
Tango & Cash 1989
Stunts
No Holds Barred 1989
Stunts
Fletch Lives 1989
Stunts
Mac and Me 1988
Stunts
Dead Heat 1988
Actor, Stunts
Code Name: Zebra 1987
Stunts
The Running Man 1987
Stunts
The Lost Boys 1987
Stunts
RoboCop 1987
Stunts
Death Wish 4: The Crackdown 1987
as Cannery Guard
Nightforce 1987
Stunts
Blind Date 1987
Stunts
Number One with a Bullet 1987
as Referee, Stunts
The Morning After 1986
Stunts
The Golden Child 1986
as Drunken Biker (uncredited), Stunts
A Fine Mess 1986
Stunts
Eye of the Tiger 1986
Stunts
Welcome to 18 1986
as Motorcycle Cop
Bad Guys 1986
as Terrible Turk Mc Gurk
Rocky IV 1985
Stunts
Runaway Train 1985
Stunts
City Limits 1985
Stunts
D.A.R.Y.L. 1985
Stunts
Fletch 1985
Stunts
Friday the 13th: A New Beginning 1985
Stunts
Johnny Dangerously 1984
Stunts
Micki & Maude 1984
as Wrestling Referee
City Heat 1984
as Garage Soldier
Losin' It 1983
Stunts
Heart Like a Wheel 1983
Stunts
They Call Me Bruce? 1982
Stunts
The Beastmaster 1982
Stunts
White Dog 1982
Stunts
Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid 1982
as Hood
Heartbeeps 1981
as Forklift Driver Robot
Smokey Bites the Dust 1981
as Turk, Stunts
Going Ape! 1981
as Faraday
Inside Moves 1980
Stunts
Raging Bull 1980
as Ring Announcer (Reeves Fight)
Foolin' Around 1980
as Paul
The Big Brawl 1980
as Stroke
Airplane! 1980
as Religious Zealot (uncredited), Stunts
Bronco Billy 1980
Stunts
Goldie and the Boxer 1979
as Vinnie
The Jerk 1979
as Con Man
The Prize Fighter 1979
Stunts
Marciano 1979
as Ring Announcer
Flesh & Blood 1979
as 2nd Fat Guy
Americathon 1979
as Referee, Stunts
The Fantastic Seven 1979
Stunts
Every Which Way but Loose 1978
as Biker, Stunts
The Fifth Floor 1978
Stunts
The Bad News Bears Go to Japan 1978
as Mean Bones' Manager
Almost Summer 1978
as Football Coach
I Wanna Hold Your Hand 1978
as Theatre Cop: Reese, Stunts
The One and Only 1978
as Reigning World Wrestling Champion (uncredited), Stunt Coordinator
Black Sunday 1977
Stunts
King Kong 1976
Stunts
Rocky 1976
Stunts
The Big Bus 1976
Stunts
No Way Back 1976
Actor
Let's Do It Again 1975
Stunts
The Day of the Locust 1975
Stunts
Freebie and the Bean 1974
Stunts
The Towering Inferno 1974
Stunts
Earthquake 1974
Stunts
The Gambler 1974
Stunts
99 and 44/100% Dead 1974
Stunts
Black Samson 1974
as Nappa's Gang, Stunts
California Split 1974
Stunts
Busting 1974
Stunts
Hell Up In Harlem 1973
Stunts
Slaughter's Big Rip-Off 1973
as Leo (uncredited)
Cleopatra Jones 1973
as Mommy's Henchman (uncredited), Stunts
Walking Tall 1973
as 2nd Bouncer, Stunts
Blacula 1972
as Second Dracula Henchman, Stunts
Melinda 1972
as Hood
Hammer 1972
as Referee
Conquest of the Planet of the Apes 1972
Stunts
There Was a Crooked Man... 1970
Stunts
Beneath the Planet of the Apes 1970
Stunts
The Challenge 1970
as Karate Instructor
The Split 1968
Stunts
Don't Just Stand There 1968
Stunt Coordinator
Planet of the Apes 1968
Stunts
The Happiest Millionaire 1967
Stunt Coordinator
What Did You Do in the War, Daddy? 1966
Stunts
Paradise, Hawaiian Style 1966
Actor
Three on a Couch 1966
Stunts
7 Women 1965
Stunts
4 for Texas 1963
Stunts
Blue Hawaii 1961
as (uncredited)
Credits from TMDB.