Gene LeBell · Queuebrick

Gene LeBell

Acting·Oct 9, 1932·Los Angeles, California, USA

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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.

Film	Credit
TThe Search for Count Dante2020 · Actor	Actor
Fury of the Fist and the Golden Fleece2018 · The Boss	The Boss
From Mexico With Love2009 · Referee	Referee
Blood and Bone2009 · Attendant	Attendant
Redbelt2008 · Old Stuntman	Old Stuntman
Bottoms Up2006 · Milt	Milt
Cellular2004 · Driving Instructor (uncredited)	Driving Instructor (uncredited)
Spider-Man 22004 · Train Passenger (uncredited)	Train Passenger (uncredited)
Men in Black II2002 · Subway Passenger (uncredited)	Subway Passenger (uncredited)
Rat Race2001 · Veteran with Gun	Veteran with Gun
Man on the Moon1999 · Foxy Jackson Referee	Foxy Jackson Referee
Running Red1999 · Mercier's Bodyguard	Mercier's Bodyguard
Hard Time1998 · Eddie	Eddie
Rush Hour1998 · Taxi Driver	Taxi Driver
Double Tap1997 · Wallace	Wallace
Batman & Robin1997 · Arkham Asylum Property Room Guard	Arkham Asylum Property Room Guard
On the Edge of Innocence1997 · Security Guard	Security Guard
Shaughnessy: The Iron Marshal1996 · NYC bouncer	NYC bouncer
Jury Duty1995 · Security Guard (uncredited)	Security Guard (uncredited)
3 Ninjas Knuckle Up1995 · Red-Haired Waste Plant Worker Punching Rocky (uncredited)	Red-Haired Waste Plant Worker Punching Rocky (uncredited)
Ed Wood1994 · Ring Announcer	Ring Announcer
Ring of Steel1994 · MiB Bodyguard	MiB Bodyguard
M.A.N.T.I.S.1994 · Rioter (uncredited)	Rioter (uncredited)
Bloodfist IV: Die Trying1992 · Burly	Burly
Rapid Fire1992 · Red Haired Serrano Gunman (uncredited)	Red Haired Serrano Gunman (uncredited)
Eyes of an Angel1991 · Pit Bull Handler	Pit Bull Handler
Alligator 2: The Mutation1991 · Referee	Referee
Kickboxer 2: The Road Back1991 · Referee	Referee
Loose Cannons1990 · Grimmer's Man	Grimmer's Man
Dead Heat1988 · Actor	Actor
Death Wish 4: The Crackdown1987 · Cannery Guard	Cannery Guard
Number One with a Bullet1987 · Referee	Referee
The Golden Child1986 · Drunken Biker (uncredited)	Drunken Biker (uncredited)
Welcome to 181986 · Motorcycle Cop	Motorcycle Cop
Bad Guys1986 · Terrible Turk Mc Gurk	Terrible Turk Mc Gurk
Micki & Maude1984 · Wrestling Referee	Wrestling Referee
City Heat1984 · Garage Soldier	Garage Soldier
Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid1982 · Hood	Hood
Heartbeeps1981 · Forklift Driver Robot	Forklift Driver Robot
Smokey Bites the Dust1981 · Turk	Turk
Going Ape!1981 · Faraday	Faraday
Raging Bull1980 · Ring Announcer (Reeves Fight)	Ring Announcer (Reeves Fight)
Foolin' Around1980 · Paul	Paul
The Big Brawl1980 · Stroke	Stroke
Airplane!1980 · Religious Zealot (uncredited)	Religious Zealot (uncredited)
Goldie and the Boxer1979 · Vinnie	Vinnie
The Jerk1979 · Con Man	Con Man
Marciano1979 · Ring Announcer	Ring Announcer
Flesh & Blood1979 · 2nd Fat Guy	2nd Fat Guy
Americathon1979 · Referee	Referee
Every Which Way but Loose1978 · Biker	Biker
The Bad News Bears Go to Japan1978 · Mean Bones' Manager	Mean Bones' Manager
Almost Summer1978 · Football Coach	Football Coach
I Wanna Hold Your Hand1978 · Theatre Cop: Reese	Theatre Cop: Reese
The One and Only1978 · Reigning World Wrestling Champion (uncredited)	Reigning World Wrestling Champion (uncredited)
No Way Back1976 · Actor	Actor
Black Samson1974 · Nappa's Gang	Nappa's Gang
Slaughter's Big Rip-Off1973 · Leo (uncredited)	Leo (uncredited)
Cleopatra Jones1973 · Mommy's Henchman (uncredited)	Mommy's Henchman (uncredited)
Walking Tall1973 · 2nd Bouncer	2nd Bouncer
Blacula1972 · Second Dracula Henchman	Second Dracula Henchman
Melinda1972 · Hood	Hood
Hammer1972 · Referee	Referee
The Challenge1970 · Karate Instructor	Karate Instructor
Paradise, Hawaiian Style1966 · Actor	Actor
Blue Hawaii1961 · (uncredited)	(uncredited)