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Gene LeBell
Gene LeBell

Gene LeBell

ActingBorn October 9, 1932Died August 9, 2022 (age 89)Los Angeles, California, USA

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.

Filmography

2012Movie
2009Movie
2009
Blood and Bone

as Attendant

Movie
2008
Redbelt

as Old Stuntman

Movie
2006
Bottoms Up

as Milt

Movie
2004
Cellular

as Driving Instructor (uncredited)

Movie
2004
Spider-Man 2

as Train Passenger (uncredited)

Movie
2003
Reno 911!

as Old Man on Scooter

TV
2003
Reno 911!

as Grandpa

TV
2002Movie
2002
Men in Black II

as Subway Passenger (uncredited)

Movie
2001
Rat Race

as Veteran with Gun

Movie
2000
Strong Medicine

as Referee

TV
1999
Man on the Moon

as Foxy Jackson Referee

Movie
1999
Running Red

as Mercier's Bodyguard

Movie
1998
Hard Time

as Eddie

Movie
1998
Rush Hour

as Taxi Driver

Movie
1998
That '70s Show

as Referee

TV
1997
Double Tap

as Wallace

Movie
1997
Batman & Robin

as Arkham Asylum Property Room Guard

Movie
1997
On the Edge of Innocence

as Security Guard

Movie
1996Movie
1995
Jury Duty

as Security Guard (uncredited)

Movie
1995
3 Ninjas Knuckle Up

as Red-Haired Waste Plant Worker Punching Rocky (uncredited)

Movie
1994
Ed Wood

as Ring Announcer

Movie
1994
Ring of Steel

as MiB Bodyguard

Movie
1994
M.A.N.T.I.S.

as Rioter (uncredited)

Movie
1993
The X-Files

as Bartender

TV
1992Movie
1992
Rapid Fire

as Red Haired Serrano Gunman (uncredited)

Movie
1992TV
1991
Eyes of an Angel

as Pit Bull Handler

Movie
1991Movie
1991Movie
1990
Loose Cannons

as Grimmer's Man

Movie
1989
Family Matters

as Referee

TV
1988Movie
1987Movie
1987TV
1987TV
1987Movie
1986
The Golden Child

as Drunken Biker (uncredited)

Movie
1986
Sledge Hammer!

as Archbishop

TV
1986
Welcome to 18

as Motorcycle Cop

Movie
1986
Bad Guys

as Terrible Turk Mc Gurk

Movie
1985
MacGyver

as Murph

TV
1984
Micki & Maude

as Wrestling Referee

Movie
1984
The Master

as Brawler (uncredited)

TV
1982
Knight Rider

as Junior

TV
1982
T. J. Hooker

as James Wallace

TV
1981
Heartbeeps

as Forklift Driver Robot

Movie
1981
Falcon Crest

as Union Guy

TV
1981Movie
1981
Going Ape!

as Faraday

Movie
1980
Raging Bull

as Ring Announcer (Reeves Fight)

Movie
1980Movie
1980
The Big Brawl

as Stroke

Movie
1980
Airplane!

as Religious Zealot (uncredited)

Movie
1979Movie
1979
The Jerk

as Con Man

Movie
1979
Marciano

as Ring Announcer

Movie
1979
Flesh & Blood

as 2nd Fat Guy

Movie
1979
Flesh & Blood

as 2nd Fat Guy

TV
1979
Hart to Hart

as Heavy #2

TV
1979
Americathon

as Referee

Movie
1978Movie
1978
Taxi

as Referee

TV
1978
Taxi

as The Referee

TV
1978
The Bad News Bears Go to Japan

as Mean Bones' Manager

Movie
1978
Almost Summer

as Football Coach

Movie
1978
I Wanna Hold Your Hand

as Theatre Cop: Reese

Movie
1978
The One and Only

as Reigning World Wrestling Champion (uncredited)

Movie
1978
Fantasy Island

as The Referee

TV
1976Movie
1975TV
1974
Dinah!

as Self

TV
1974
Black Samson

as Nappa's Gang

Movie
1973
Slaughter's Big Rip-Off

as Leo (uncredited)

Movie
1973
Cleopatra Jones

as Mommy's Henchman (uncredited)

Movie
1973
Walking Tall

as 2nd Bouncer

Movie
1972
Blacula

as Second Dracula Henchman

Movie
1972
Melinda

as Hood

Movie
1972
Hammer

as Referee

Movie
1970
The Challenge

as Karate Instructor

Movie
1968
Land of the Giants

as Mezron's Brother

TV
1967TV
1966TV
1965TV
1964
The Munsters

as Tarzan McGirk

TV
1963
Burke's Law

as Wrestler

TV
1961
Blue Hawaii

as (uncredited)

Movie

Personal Info

DepartmentActing
BirthdayOctober 9, 1932
Day of DeathAugust 9, 2022
Place of BirthLos Angeles, California, USA
Popularity0.4