Acting
Gene LeBell
EN cinema · 182 credits
Born
9 October 1932
Died
9 August 2022 (aged 89)
Birthplace
Los Angeles, California, USA
Also known as Gene Le Bell · Gene La Bell · Gene LaBell
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.
Known for
Filmography
I Am Bruce Lee
as Self
From Mexico With Love
as Referee
Blood and Bone
as Attendant
Redbelt
as Old Stuntman
Bottoms Up
as Milt, Stunts
Beerfest
Stunts
Smokin' Aces
Stunts
Mr. & Mrs. Smith
Utility Stunts
Spider-Man 2
as Train Passenger (uncredited)
Cellular
as Driving Instructor (uncredited)
Men in Black II
as Subway Passenger (uncredited)
Deuces Wild
Stunts
Rat Race
as Veteran with Gun
Bandits
Stunts
Running Red
as Mercier's Bodyguard, Stunts
Man on the Moon
as Foxy Jackson Referee, Stunts
End of Days
Utility Stunts
Mystery Men
Stunts
Hard Time
as Eddie
Rush Hour
as Taxi Driver
Batman & Robin
as Arkham Asylum Property Room Guard, Stunts
Double Tap
as Wallace, Stunts
On the Edge of Innocence
as Security Guard
Liar Liar
Stunts
Bean
Stunts
The Brave
Stunts
Gone Fishin'
Stunts
Dante's Peak
Stunts
Shaughnessy: The Iron Marshal
as NYC bouncer
3 Ninjas Knuckle Up
as Red-Haired Waste Plant Worker Punching Rocky (uncredited), Stunts
Jury Duty
as Security Guard (uncredited), Stunts
Waterworld
Stunts
Ballistic
Stunts
Money Train
Stunts
Strange Days
Stunts
Ring of Steel
as MiB Bodyguard
Ed Wood
as Ring Announcer
M.A.N.T.I.S.
as Rioter (uncredited)
Blown Away
Stunts
Rapid Fire
as Red Haired Serrano Gunman (uncredited), Stunts
Eyes of an Angel
as Pit Bull Handler
Kickboxer 2: The Road Back
as Referee
Alligator 2: The Mutation
as Referee
Trancers II
Stunts
Hook
Stunts
Dutch
Stunts
For the Boys
Stunts
Loose Cannons
as Grimmer's Man
RoboCop 2
Stunts
Die Hard 2
Stunts
Dick Tracy
Stunts
Hard to Kill
Stunts
Darkman
Stunts
Men at Work
Stunts
Total Recall
Stunts
Fletch Lives
Stunts
Tango & Cash
Stunts
Dead Heat
Actor, Stunts
Mac and Me
Stunts
Death Wish 4: The Crackdown
as Cannery Guard
Number One with a Bullet
as Referee, Stunts
Blind Date
Stunts
Nightforce
Stunts
RoboCop
Stunts
Bad Guys
as Terrible Turk Mc Gurk
The Golden Child
as Drunken Biker (uncredited), Stunts
Welcome to 18
as Motorcycle Cop
A Fine Mess
Stunts
Rocky IV
Stunts
Fletch
Stunts
D.A.R.Y.L.
Stunts
City Limits
Stunts
Micki & Maude
as Wrestling Referee
City Heat
as Garage Soldier
Losin' It
Stunts
White Dog
Stunts
Smokey Bites the Dust
as Turk, Stunts
Heartbeeps
as Forklift Driver Robot
Going Ape!
as Faraday
Airplane!
as Religious Zealot (uncredited), Stunts
Raging Bull
as Ring Announcer (Reeves Fight)
The Big Brawl
as Stroke
Foolin' Around
as Paul
Inside Moves
Stunts
Bronco Billy
Stunts
Flesh & Blood
as 2nd Fat Guy
Goldie and the Boxer
as Vinnie
Marciano
as Ring Announcer
The Jerk
as Con Man
Americathon
as Referee, Stunts
The Bad News Bears Go to Japan
as Mean Bones' Manager
Every Which Way but Loose
as Biker, Stunts
I Wanna Hold Your Hand
as Theatre Cop: Reese, Stunts
The One and Only
as Reigning World Wrestling Champion (uncredited), Stunt Coordinator
Almost Summer
as Football Coach, Stunts
Black Sunday
Stunts
King Kong
Stunts
Rocky
Stunts
The Big Bus
Stunts
Black Samson
as Nappa's Gang, Stunts
Earthquake
Stunts
Busting
Stunts
The Gambler
Stunts
Cleopatra Jones
as Mommy's Henchman (uncredited), Stunts
Walking Tall
as 2nd Bouncer, Stunts
Slaughter's Big Rip-Off
as Leo (uncredited)
Hammer
as Referee
Melinda
as Hood
Blacula
as Second Dracula Henchman, Stunts
The Challenge
as Karate Instructor
Don't Just Stand There
Stunt Coordinator
The Split
Stunts
The Happiest Millionaire
Stunt Coordinator
7 Women
Stunts
4 for Texas
Stunts
Blue Hawaii
as (uncredited)