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Personal Info
Known For
Acting
Birthday
October 9, 1932
Died
August 9, 2022
Place of Birth
Los Angeles, California, USA
Also Known As
- Gene Le Bell
- Gene La Bell
Gene LeBell
0.3 Popularity
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.
Known For
🎬
0.0
The Search for Count Dante
2020
5.7
The Ronda Rousey Story: Through My Father's Eyes
2019
3.9
The Boss
Fury of the Fist and the Golden Fleece
2018
7.6
Self
I Am Bruce Lee
2012
5.2
Referee
From Mexico With Love
2009
6.5
Old Stuntman
Redbelt
2008
6.3
Carl
The Sarah Silverman Program.
2007
3.2
Milt
Bottoms Up
2006
6.4
Driving Instructor (uncredited)
Cellular
2004
7.3
Train Passenger (uncredited)
Spider-Man 2
2004
Credits
🎬
The Search for Count Dante
2020
0.0
The Ronda Rousey Story: Through My Father's Eyes
2019
5.7
Fury of the Fist and the Golden Fleece
as The Boss
2018
3.9
I Am Bruce Lee
as Self
2012
7.6
From Mexico With Love
as Referee
2009
5.2
Redbelt
as Old Stuntman
2008
6.5
The Sarah Silverman Program.
as Carl
2007
6.3
Bottoms Up
as Milt
2006
3.2
Cellular
as Driving Instructor (uncredited)
2004
6.4
Spider-Man 2
as Train Passenger (uncredited)
2004
7.3
Reno 911!
as Old Man on Scooter
2003
7.2
Reno 911!
as Grandpa
2003
7.2
Jackass: The Movie
as Self
2002
6.3
Men in Black II
as Subway Passenger (uncredited)
2002
6.4
Rat Race
as Veteran with Gun
2001
6.3
Strong Medicine
as Referee
2000
7.3
Man on the Moon
as Foxy Jackson Referee
1999
7.2
Running Red
as Mercier's Bodyguard
1999
5.3
Hard Time
as Eddie
1998
5.5
Rush Hour
as Taxi Driver
1998
7.1
That '70s Show
as Referee
1998
7.9
Double Tap
as Wallace
1997
5.0
Batman & Robin
as Arkham Asylum Property Room Guard
1997
4.4
On the Edge of Innocence
as Security Guard
1997
5.3
Shaughnessy: The Iron Marshal
as NYC bouncer
1996
5.0
Jury Duty
as Security Guard (uncredited)
1995
4.3
3 Ninjas Knuckle Up
as Red-Haired Waste Plant Worker Punching Rocky (uncredited)
1995
5.0
Ed Wood
as Ring Announcer
1994
7.5
Ring of Steel
as MiB Bodyguard
1994
4.8
M.A.N.T.I.S.
as Rioter (uncredited)
1994
4.5
The X-Files
as Bartender
1993
8.4
Bloodfist IV: Die Trying
as Burly
1992
5.0
Rapid Fire
as Red Haired Serrano Gunman (uncredited)
1992
6.4
🎬
The Human Factor
as Referee
1992
6.0
Eyes of an Angel
as Pit Bull Handler
1991
6.9
Alligator 2: The Mutation
as Referee
1991
4.8
Kickboxer 2: The Road Back
as Referee
1991
5.5
Loose Cannons
as Grimmer's Man
1990
5.0
Family Matters
as Referee
1989
6.7
Dead Heat
1988
6.2
Death Wish 4: The Crackdown
as Cannery Guard
1987
5.7
Married... with Children
as Larry
1987
7.7
Married... with Children
as Referee
1987
7.7
Married... with Children
as Black Ben
1987
7.7
Number One with a Bullet
as Referee
1987
4.6
The Golden Child
as Drunken Biker (uncredited)
1986
5.9
Sledge Hammer!
as Archbishop
1986
7.9
Welcome to 18
as Motorcycle Cop
1986
2.2
Bad Guys
as Terrible Turk Mc Gurk
1986
7.0
MacGyver
as Murph
1985
7.7
Micki & Maude
as Wrestling Referee
1984
5.5
The Master
as Brawler (uncredited)
1984
5.1
Knight Rider
as Junior
1982
7.5
Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid
as Hood
1982
6.6
T. J. Hooker
as James Wallace
1982
6.4
Heartbeeps
as Forklift Driver Robot
1981
4.3
Falcon Crest
as Union Guy
1981
5.5
Simon & Simon
1981
6.7
Smokey Bites the Dust
as Turk
1981
2.2
Going Ape!
as Faraday
1981
4.3
Raging Bull
as Ring Announcer (Reeves Fight)
1980
7.9
Foolin' Around
as Paul
1980
6.0
The Big Brawl
as Stroke
1980
5.9
Airplane!
as Religious Zealot (uncredited)
1980
7.3
Goldie and the Boxer
as Vinnie
1979
4.5
The Jerk
as Con Man
1979
6.9
Marciano
as Ring Announcer
1979
0.0
Flesh & Blood
as 2nd Fat Guy
1979
5.5
Hart to Hart
1979
6.9
Americathon
as Referee
1979
3.5
Every Which Way but Loose
as Biker
1978
6.1
Taxi
as Referee
1978
7.2
Taxi
as The Referee
1978
7.2
The Bad News Bears Go to Japan
as Mean Bones' Manager
1978
4.7
Almost Summer
as Football Coach
1978
4.4
I Wanna Hold Your Hand
as Theatre Cop: Reese
1978
6.3
The One and Only
as Reigning World Wrestling Champion (uncredited)
1978
5.8
The Incredible Hulk
1977
7.2
Quincy, M.E.
1976
7.5
No Way Back
1976
3.2
Baretta
1975
6.4
Dinah!
as Self
1974
6.7
Black Samson
as Nappa's Gang (as Gene LaBell)
1974
4.7
Slaughter's Big Rip-Off
as Leo (uncredited)
1973
4.4
Cleopatra Jones
as Mommy's Henchman (uncredited)
1973
5.6
Walking Tall
as 2nd Bouncer
1973
6.6
Blacula
as Second Dracula Henchman
1972
5.4
Melinda
as Hood
1972
3.3
Hammer
as Referee
1972
5.2
The Challenge
as Karate Instructor
1970
6.0
Land of the Giants
as Mezron's Brother
1968
6.7
Ironside
1967
6.8
The Green Hornet
as Barney
1966
7.2
Paradise, Hawaiian Style
1966
5.1
The Wild Wild West
as Felix
1965
7.6
The Munsters
as Tarzan McGirk
1964
7.9
Burke's Law
as Wrestler
1963
6.0
The Beverly Hillbillies
1962
6.9
Blue Hawaii
as (uncredited)
1961
5.9