Gene LeBell
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
Credits
-
Self★ 7.7 -
★ NR -
-
The Boss★ 4.2 -
I Am Bruce Lee 2012Self★ 7.7 -
Referee★ 5.2 -
Redbelt 2008Old Stuntman★ 6.5 -
Carl★ 6.4 -
Bottoms Up 2006Milt★ 3.1 -
Cellular 2004Driving Instructor (uncredited)★ 6.4 -
Spider-Man 2 2004Train Passenger (uncredited)★ 7.3 -
Reno 911! 2003Old Man on Scooter★ 7.2 -
Jackass: The Movie 2002Self★ 6.3 -
Men in Black II 2002Subway Passenger (uncredited)★ 6.4 -
Rat Race 2001Veteran with Gun★ 6.3 -
Strong Medicine 2000Referee★ 7.1 -
Man on the Moon 1999Foxy Jackson Referee★ 7.2 -
Running Red 1999Mercier's Bodyguard★ 5.3 -
Hard Time 1998Eddie★ 5.8 -
Rush Hour 1998Taxi Driver★ 7 -
That '70s Show 1998Referee★ 7.9 -
Double Tap 1997Wallace★ 5.3 -
Batman & Robin 1997Arkham Asylum Property Room Guard★ 4.4 -
NYC bouncer★ 5 -
Jury Duty 1995Security Guard (uncredited)★ 4.4 -
3 Ninjas Knuckle Up 1995Red-Haired Waste Plant Worker Punching Rocky (uncredited)★ 5 -
Ed Wood 1994Ring Announcer★ 7.5 -
Ring of Steel 1994MiB Bodyguard★ 5.1 -
M.A.N.T.I.S. 1994Rioter (uncredited)★ 4.5 -
The X-Files 1993Bartender★ 8.4 -
Burly★ 5.1 -
Rapid Fire 1992Red Haired Serrano Gunman (uncredited)★ 6.4 -
The Human Factor 1992Referee★ 6
-
Eyes of an Angel 1991Pit Bull Handler★ 6.9 -
Referee★ 4.8 -
Referee★ 5.4 -
Loose Cannons 1990Grimmer's Man★ 4.9 -
Dead Heat 1988★ 6.1 -
Cannery Guard★ 5.7 -
Larry★ 7.7 -
Referee★ 4.2 -
The Golden Child 1986Drunken Biker (uncredited)★ 5.9 -
Sledge Hammer! 1986Archbishop★ 7.9 -
Welcome to 18 1986Motorcycle Cop★ 2.5 -
Bad Guys 1986Terrible Turk Mc Gurk★ 7 -
MacGyver 1985Murph★ 7.7 -
Micki & Maude 1984Wrestling Referee★ 5.6 -
Knight Rider 1982Junior★ 7.5 -
Hood★ 6.6 -
T. J. Hooker 1982James Wallace★ 6.4 -
Heartbeeps 1981Forklift Driver Robot★ 4 -
Falcon Crest 1981Union Guy★ 5.5 -
Simon & Simon 1981★ 6.7 -
Turk★ 2.2 -
Going Ape! 1981Faraday★ 4.2 -
Raging Bull 1980Ring Announcer (Reeves Fight)★ 7.9 -
Foolin' Around 1980Paul★ 6 -
The Big Brawl 1980Stroke (as Gene La Bell)★ 5.9 -
Airplane! 1980Religious Zealot (uncredited)★ 7.3 -
Goldie and the Boxer 1979Vinnie★ 4.5 -
The Jerk 1979Con Man★ 6.9 -
Marciano 1979Ring Announcer★ NR -
Flesh & Blood 19792nd Fat Guy★ 5.5 -
Hart to Hart 1979★ 6.8 -
Americathon 1979Referee★ 3.6 -
Biker★ 6.1 -
Taxi 1978Referee★ 7.2 -
Mean Bones' Manager★ 4.8 -
Almost Summer 1978Football Coach★ 4.4 -
Theatre Cop: Reese★ 6.3 -
The One and Only 1978Reigning 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! 1974Self★ 6.7 -
Black Samson 1974Nappa's Gang (as Gene LaBell)★ 5 -
Leo (uncredited)★ 4.8 -
Cleopatra Jones 1973Mommy's Henchman (uncredited)★ 5.8 -
Walking Tall 19732nd Bouncer★ 6.6 -
Blacula 1972Second Dracula Henchman★ 5.5 -
Melinda 1972Hood★ 4 -
Hammer 1972Referee★ 5.4 -
The Challenge 1970Karate Instructor★ 6 -
Land of the Giants 1968Mezron's Brother★ 6.7 -
Ironside 1967★ 6.8 -
The Green Hornet 1966Barney★ 7.1 -
★ 5.1 -
The Wild Wild West 1965Felix★ 7.5 -
The Munsters 1964Tarzan McGirk★ 7.9 -
Burke's Law 1963Wrestler★ 6 -
★ 6.8 -
Blue Hawaii 1961(uncredited)★ 5.9