Gene LeBell

Oct 09, 1932 - Aug 09, 2022 (89 years old) in Los Angeles, California, USA

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.

Known For

Quincy, M.E.

Strong Medicine

Referee

The Beverly Hillbillies

Ironside

Married... with Children

Larry

That '70s Show

Referee

Falcon Crest

Union Guy

The X-Files

Bartender

T. J. Hooker

James Wallace

The Wild Wild West

Felix

Credits

Biography: 'Rowdy' Roddy Piper 2021

Self

★ 7.7
The Search for Count Dante 2020

★ NR
The Ronda Rousey Story: Through My Father's Eyes 2019

★ 5.7
Fury of the Fist and the Golden Fleece 2018

The Boss

★ 4.6
I Am Bruce Lee 2012

Self

★ 7.7
From Mexico With Love 2009

Referee

★ 5.2
Redbelt 2008

Old Stuntman

★ 6.5
The Sarah Silverman Program. 2007

Carl

★ 6.4
Bottoms Up 2006

Milt

★ 3.1
Cellular 2004

Driving Instructor (uncredited)

★ 6.4
Spider-Man 2 2004

Train Passenger (uncredited)

★ 7.3
Reno 911! 2003

Old Man on Scooter

★ 7.2
Jackass: The Movie 2002

Self

★ 6.3
Men in Black II 2002

Subway Passenger (uncredited)

★ 6.4
Rat Race 2001

Veteran with Gun

★ 6.3
Strong Medicine 2000

Referee

★ 7.1
Man on the Moon 1999

Foxy Jackson Referee

★ 7.2
Running Red 1999

Mercier's Bodyguard

★ 5.3
Hard Time 1998

Eddie

★ 5.8
Rush Hour 1998

Taxi Driver

★ 7
That '70s Show 1998

Referee

★ 7.9
Double Tap 1997

Wallace

★ 5.3
Batman & Robin 1997

Arkham Asylum Property Room Guard

★ 4.4
Shaughnessy: The Iron Marshal 1996

NYC bouncer

★ 5
Jury Duty 1995

Security Guard (uncredited)

★ 4.4
3 Ninjas Knuckle Up 1995

Red-Haired Waste Plant Worker Punching Rocky (uncredited)

★ 5
Ed Wood 1994

Ring Announcer

★ 7.5
Ring of Steel 1994

MiB Bodyguard

★ 5.1
M.A.N.T.I.S. 1994

Rioter (uncredited)

★ 4.5
The X-Files 1993

Bartender

★ 8.4
Bloodfist IV: Die Trying 1992

Burly

★ 5.1
Rapid Fire 1992

Red Haired Serrano Gunman (uncredited)

★ 6.4
The Human Factor 1992

Referee

★ 6
Eyes of an Angel 1991

Pit Bull Handler

★ 6.9
Alligator 2: The Mutation 1991

Referee

★ 4.8
Kickboxer 2: The Road Back 1991

Referee

★ 5.4
Loose Cannons 1990

Grimmer's Man

★ 4.9
Dead Heat 1988

★ 6.1
Death Wish 4: The Crackdown 1987

Cannery Guard

★ 5.7
Married... with Children 1987

Larry

★ 7.7
Number One with a Bullet 1987

Referee

★ 4.2
The Golden Child 1986

Drunken Biker (uncredited)

★ 5.9
Sledge Hammer! 1986

Archbishop

★ 7.9
Bad Guys 1986

Terrible Turk Mc Gurk

★ 7
MacGyver 1985

Murph

★ 7.7
Micki & Maude 1984

Wrestling Referee

★ 5.6
Knight Rider 1982

Junior

★ 7.5
Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid 1982

Hood

★ 6.6
T. J. Hooker 1982

James Wallace

★ 6.4
Heartbeeps 1981

Forklift Driver Robot

★ 4.1
Falcon Crest 1981

Union Guy

★ 5.5
Simon & Simon 1981

★ 6.7
Smokey Bites the Dust 1981

Turk

★ 2.2
Going Ape! 1981

Faraday

★ 4.2
Raging Bull 1980

Ring Announcer (Reeves Fight)

★ 7.9
Foolin' Around 1980

Paul

★ 6
The Big Brawl 1980

Stroke (as Gene La Bell)

★ 5.9
Airplane! 1980

Religious Zealot (uncredited)

★ 7.3
Goldie and the Boxer 1979

Vinnie

★ 4.5
The Jerk 1979

Con Man

★ 6.9
Marciano 1979

Ring Announcer

★ NR
Flesh & Blood 1979

2nd Fat Guy

★ 5.5
Hart to Hart 1979

★ 6.8
Americathon 1979

Referee

★ 3.6
Every Which Way but Loose 1978

Biker

★ 6.1
Taxi 1978

Referee

★ 7.2
The Bad News Bears Go to Japan 1978

Mean Bones' Manager

★ 4.8
Almost Summer 1978

Football Coach

★ 4.4
I Wanna Hold Your Hand 1978

Theatre Cop: Reese

★ 6.3
The One and Only 1978

Reigning World Wrestling Champion (uncredited)

★ 5.8
The Incredible Hulk 1977

★ 7.2
Quincy, M.E. 1976

★ 7.5
No Way Back 1976

★ 3.3
Baretta 1975

★ 6.3
Dinah! 1974

Self

★ 6.7
Black Samson 1974

Nappa's Gang (as Gene LaBell)

★ 5
Slaughter's Big Rip-Off 1973

Leo (uncredited)

★ 4.8
Cleopatra Jones 1973

Mommy's Henchman (uncredited)

★ 5.8
Walking Tall 1973

2nd Bouncer

★ 6.6
Blacula 1972

Second Dracula Henchman

★ 5.5
Melinda 1972

Hood

★ 4
Hammer 1972

Referee

★ 5.4
The Challenge 1970

Karate Instructor

★ 6
Land of the Giants 1968

Mezron's Brother

★ 6.7
Ironside 1967

★ 6.8
The Green Hornet 1966

Barney

★ 7.1
Paradise, Hawaiian Style 1966

★ 5.1
The Wild Wild West 1965

Felix

★ 7.5
The Munsters 1964

Tarzan McGirk

★ 7.9
Burke's Law 1963

Wrestler

★ 6
The Beverly Hillbillies 1962

★ 6.8
Blue Hawaii 1961

(uncredited)

★ 5.9