6.7
Movie
Acting
Gene LeBell
- Born
- Died
- (aged 89)
- Birthplace
- Los Angeles, California, USA
- Credits
- 212 titles
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.
Signature work
Known For
6.7
Movie
6.7
Movie
Mr. & Mrs. Smith
6.9
Movie
Independence Day
7.8
Movie
Rocky
7.3
Movie
Total Recall
7.0
Movie
Die Hard 2
6.7
Movie
Liar Liar
7.4
Movie
RoboCop
7.1
Movie
Rush Hour
6.8
Movie
Hook
7.8
Movie
L.A. Confidential
4.4
Movie
Batman & Robin
7.3
Movie
Airplane!
7.1
Movie
Rocky IV
7.9
Movie
Raging Bull
7.4
Movie
As Good as It Gets
6.2
Movie
Waterworld
7.7
Movie
Planet of the Apes
Acting credits 98
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | The Search for Count Dante Film | |
| 2019 | The Ronda Rousey Story: Through My Father's Eyes Film | Self |
| 2018 | Fury of the Fist and the Golden Fleece Film | The Boss |
| 2012 | I Am Bruce Lee Film | Self |
| 2009 | From Mexico With Love Film | Referee |
| 2009 | Blood and Bone Film | Attendant |
| 2008 | Redbelt Film | Old Stuntman |
| 2007 | The Sarah Silverman Program TV | Carl (1 ep) |
| 2006 | Bottoms Up Film | Milt |
| 2004 | Cellular Film | Driving Instructor (uncredited) |
| 2004 | Spider-Man 2 Film | Train Passenger (uncredited) |
| 2003 | Reno 911! TV | Old Man on Scooter, Grandpa (4 ep) |
| 2002 | Jackass: The Movie Film | Self |
| 2002 | Men in Black II Film | Subway Passenger (uncredited) |
| 2001 | Rat Race Film | Veteran with Gun |
| 2000 | Strong Medicine TV | Referee (1 ep) |
| 1999 | Man on the Moon Film | Foxy Jackson Referee |
| 1999 | Running Red Film | Mercier's Bodyguard |
| 1998 | Hard Time Film | Eddie |
| 1998 | Rush Hour Film | Taxi Driver |
| 1998 | That '70s Show TV | Referee (1 ep) |
| 1997 | Double Tap Film | Wallace |
| 1997 | Batman & Robin Film | Arkham Asylum Property Room Guard |
| 1997 | On the Edge of Innocence Film | Security Guard |
| 1996 | Shaughnessy: The Iron Marshal Film | NYC bouncer |
| 1995 | Jury Duty Film | Security Guard (uncredited) |
| 1995 | 3 Ninjas Knuckle Up Film | Red-Haired Waste Plant Worker Punching Rocky (uncredited) |
| 1994 | Ed Wood Film | Ring Announcer |
| 1994 | Ring of Steel Film | MiB Bodyguard |
| 1994 | M.A.N.T.I.S. Film | Rioter (uncredited) |
| 1993 | The X-Files TV | Bartender (1 ep) |
| 1992 | Bloodfist IV: Die Trying Film | Burly |
| 1992 | Rapid Fire Film | Red Haired Serrano Gunman (uncredited) |
| 1992 | The Human Factor TV | Referee (1 ep) |
| 1991 | Eyes of an Angel Film | Pit Bull Handler |
| 1991 | Alligator 2: The Mutation Film | Referee |
| 1991 | Kickboxer 2: The Road Back Film | Referee |
| 1990 | Loose Cannons Film | Grimmer's Man |
| 1989 | Family Matters TV | Referee (1 ep) |
| 1988 | Dead Heat Film | |
| 1987 | Death Wish 4: The Crackdown Film | Cannery Guard |
| 1987 | Married... with Children TV | Larry, Referee, Black Ben, Brutus (1 ep) |
| 1987 | Number One with a Bullet Film | Referee |
| 1986 | The Golden Child Film | Drunken Biker (uncredited) |
| 1986 | Sledge Hammer! TV | Archbishop (1 ep) |
| 1986 | Welcome to 18 Film | Motorcycle Cop |
| 1986 | Bad Guys Film | Terrible Turk Mc Gurk |
| 1985 | MacGyver TV | Murph (1 ep) |
| 1984 | Micki & Maude Film | Wrestling Referee |
| 1984 | City Heat Film | Garage Soldier |
| 1984 | The Master TV | Brawler (uncredited) (1 ep) |
| 1982 | Knight Rider TV | Junior (1 ep) |
| 1982 | Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid Film | Hood |
| 1982 | T. J. Hooker TV | James Wallace (1 ep) |
| 1981 | Heartbeeps Film | Forklift Driver Robot |
| 1981 | Falcon Crest TV | Union Guy (1 ep) |
| 1981 | Simon & Simon TV | (2 ep) |
| 1981 | Smokey Bites the Dust Film | Turk |
| 1981 | Going Ape! Film | Faraday |
| 1980 | Raging Bull Film | Ring Announcer (Reeves Fight) |
Crew credits 136
| Year | Title | Job |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Reno 911!: Miami Film | Stunts |
| 2006 | Smokin' Aces Film | Stunts |
| 2006 | Bottoms Up Film | Stunts |
| 2006 | Beerfest Film | Stunts |
| 2005 | Mr. & Mrs. Smith Film | Utility Stunts |
| 2004 | Starsky & Hutch Film | Stunts |
| 2003 | Bruce Almighty Film | Stunts |
| 2002 | Deuces Wild Film | Stunts |
| 2001 | The Last Castle Film | Stunts |
| 2001 | Bandits Film | Stunts |
| 2000 | Dude, Where's My Car? Film | Stunts |
| 2000 | The Extreme Adventures of Super Dave Film | Stunts |
| 1999 | Man on the Moon Film | Stunts |
| 1999 | End of Days Film | Utility Stunts |
| 1999 | The Hunter's Moon Film | Stunts |
| 1999 | Mystery Men Film | Stunts |
| 1999 | Running Red Film | Stunts |
| 1998 | U.S. Marshals Film | Stunts |
| 1997 | As Good as It Gets Film | Stunts |
| 1997 | L.A. Confidential Film | Stunts |
| 1997 | Double Tap Film | Stunts |
| 1997 | The Brave Film | Stunts |
| 1997 | Bean Film | Stunts |
| 1997 | Batman & Robin Film | Stunts |
| 1997 | Gone Fishin' Film | Stunts |
| 1997 | Trial and Error Film | Stunts |
| 1997 | Liar Liar Film | Stunts |
| 1997 | Judge and Jury Film | Stunts |
| 1997 | Vegas Vacation Film | Stunts |
| 1997 | Dante's Peak Film | Stunts |
| 1996 | Jingle All the Way Film | Stunts |
| 1996 | Independence Day Film | Stunts |
| 1995 | Money Train Film | Stunts |
| 1995 | Strange Days Film | Stunts |
| 1995 | Waterworld Film | Stunts |
| 1995 | Jury Duty Film | Stunts |
| 1995 | 3 Ninjas Knuckle Up Film | Stunts |
| 1995 | Steel Frontier Film | Stunts |
| 1995 | Ballistic Film | Stunts |
| 1994 | Blown Away Film | Stunts |
| 1994 | Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insult Film | Stunts |
| 1993 | C.I.A. II: Target Alexa Film | Stunts |
| 1993 | Conflict of Interest Film | Stunts |
| 1992 | Army of Darkness Film | Stunts |
| 1992 | Night and the City Film | Stunts |
| 1992 | Rapid Fire Film | Stunts |
| 1992 | Patriot Games Film | Stunts |
| 1991 | The Last Boy Scout Film | Stunts |
| 1991 | For the Boys Film | Stunts |
| 1991 | Write to Kill Film | Stunts |
| 1991 | Trancers II Film | Stunts |
| 1991 | Dutch Film | Stunts |
| 1991 | Out for Justice Film | Stunts |
| 1991 | Hook Film | Stunts |
| 1990 | Almost an Angel Film | Stunts |
| 1990 | Marked for Death Film | Stunts |
| 1990 | Death Warrant Film | Stunts |
| 1990 | Men at Work Film | Stunts |
| 1990 | Darkman Film | Stunts |
| 1990 | Problem Child Film | Stunts |