Gene LeBell
October 9, 1932 (92 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
Credits
- 2021 · Biography: “Rowdy” Roddy Piper as Self
- 2020 · The Search for Count Dante as
- 2019 · The Ronda Rousey Story: Through My Father's Eyes as
- 2018 · Fury of the Fist and the Golden Fleece as The Boss
- 2012 · I Am Bruce Lee as Self
- 2009 · From Mexico With Love as Referee
- 2007 · The Sarah Silverman Program. as Carl
- 2004 · Cellular as Driving Instructor (uncredited)
- 2004 · Spider-Man 2 as Train Passenger (uncredited)
- 2003 · Reno 911! as Old Man on Scooter
- 2002 · Jackass: The Movie as Self
- 2002 · Men in Black II as Subway Passenger (uncredited)
- 2001 · Rat Race as Veteran with Gun
- 2000 · Strong Medicine as Referee
- 1999 · Man on the Moon as Foxy Jackson Referee
- 1999 · Running Red as Mercier's Bodyguard
- 1998 · Hard Time as Eddie
- 1998 · Rush Hour as Taxi Driver
- 1998 · That '70s Show as Referee
- 1997 · Double Tap as Wallace
- 1997 · Batman & Robin as Arkham Asylum Property Room Guard
- 1996 · Shaughnessy: The Iron Marshal as NYC bouncer
- 1995 · Jury Duty as Security Guard (uncredited)
- 1995 · 3 Ninjas Knuckle Up as Red-Haired Waste Plant Worker Punching Rocky (uncredited)
- 1994 · Ed Wood as Ring Announcer (uncredited)
- 1994 · Ring of Steel as MiB Bodyguard
- 1993 · The X-Files as Bartender
- 1992 · Bloodfist IV: Die Trying as Burly
- 1992 · Rapid Fire as Red Haired Serrano Gunman (uncredited)
- 1992 · The Human Factor as Referee
- 1991 · Eyes of an Angel as Pit Bull Handler
- 1991 · Alligator 2: The Mutation as Referee
- 1991 · Kickboxer 2: The Road Back as Referee
- 1990 · Loose Cannons as Grimmer's Man
- 1988 · Dead Heat as
- 1987 · Death Wish 4: The Crackdown as Cannery Guard
- 1987 · Married... with Children as Larry
- 1987 · Married... with Children as Referee
- 1987 · Married... with Children as Black Ben
- 1987 · Number One with a Bullet as Referee
- 1986 · The Golden Child as Drunken Biker (uncredited)
- 1986 · Sledge Hammer! as Archbishop
- 1986 · Bad Guys as Terrible Turk Mc Gurk
- 1985 · MacGyver as Murph
- 1984 · Micki + Maude as Wrestling Referee
- 1982 · Knight Rider as Junior
- 1982 · Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid as Hood
- 1982 · T. J. Hooker as James Wallace
- 1981 · Heartbeeps as Forklift Driver Robot
- 1981 · Falcon Crest as Union Guy
- 1981 · Simon & Simon as
- 1981 · Smokey Bites the Dust as Turk
- 1981 · Going Ape! as Faraday
- 1980 · Raging Bull as Ring Announcer (Reeves Fight)
- 1980 · The Big Brawl as Stroke (as Gene La Bell)
- 1980 · Airplane! as Religious Zealot (uncredited)
- 1979 · Goldie and the Boxer as Vinnie
- 1979 · The Jerk as Con Man
- 1979 · Marciano as Ring Announcer
- 1979 · Flesh & Blood as 2nd Fat Guy
- 1979 · Hart to Hart as
- 1978 · Every Which Way but Loose as Biker
- 1978 · Taxi as Referee
- 1978 · Taxi as The Referee
- 1978 · The Bad News Bears Go to Japan as Mean Bones' Manager
- 1978 · Almost Summer as Football Coach
- 1978 · I Wanna Hold Your Hand as Theatre Cop: Reese
- 1978 · The One and Only as Reigning World Wrestling Champion (uncredited)
- 1977 · The Incredible Hulk as
- 1976 · Quincy, M.E. as
- 1976 · No Way Back as
- 1975 · Baretta as
- 1974 · Dinah! as Self
- 1974 · Black Samson as Nappa's Gang (as Gene LaBell)
- 1973 · Slaughter's Big Rip Off as Leo (uncredited)
- 1973 · Cleopatra Jones as Mommy's Henchman (uncredited)
- 1973 · Walking Tall as 2nd Bouncer
- 1972 · Melinda as Hood
- 1972 · Hammer as Referee
- 1970 · The Challenge as Karate Instructor
- 1968 · Land of the Giants as Mezron's Brother
- 1967 · Ironside as
- 1966 · The Green Hornet as Barney
- 1966 · Paradise, Hawaiian Style as
- 1964 · The Munsters as Tarzan McGirk
- 1963 · Burke's Law as Wrestler
- 1962 · The Beverly Hillbillies as
- 1961 · Blue Hawaii as (uncredited)