Gene LeBell
Biography
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
Acting
2002
asSelf
1990
asGrimmer's Man
1981
asTurk
1996
asNYC bouncer
1978
asMean Bones' Manager
1991
asPit Bull Handler
2009
asReferee
1999
asMercier's Bodyguard
1973
asMommy's Henchman (uncredited)
1998
asEddie
1994
asMiB Bodyguard
1973
as2nd Bouncer
1981
asForklift Driver Robot
1976
as
1988
as
1980
asReligious Zealot (uncredited)
1987
asCannery Guard
1966
as
1997
asArkham Asylum Property Room Guard
1995
asRed-Haired Waste Plant Worker Punching Rocky (uncredited)
1984
asWrestling Referee
1999
asFoxy Jackson Referee
1979
as2nd Fat Guy
1979
asVinnie
1979
asRing Announcer
1994
asRing Announcer
1986
asTerrible Turk Mc Gurk
1980
asRing Announcer (Reeves Fight)
2004
asTrain Passenger (uncredited)
2020
as
1992
asBurly
1995
asSecurity Guard (uncredited)
2019
as
1998
asTaxi Driver
1987
asReferee
1992
asRed Haired Serrano Gunman (uncredited)
2018
asThe Boss
2012
asSelf
1978
asBiker
2002
asSubway Passenger (uncredited)
2001
asVeteran with Gun
1982
asHood
1972
asReferee
1961
as(uncredited)
1972
asHood
1979
asCon Man
1986
asDrunken Biker (uncredited)
1981
asFaraday
1973
asLeo (uncredited)
1978
asTheatre Cop: Reese
1978
asReigning World Wrestling Champion (uncredited)
1980
asStroke (as Gene La Bell)
1974
asNappa's Gang (as Gene LaBell)
1991
asReferee
1997
asWallace
1978
asFootball Coach
1970
asKarate Instructor
2004
asDriving Instructor (uncredited)
1991
asReferee
2021
asSelf
2008
asOld Stuntman
1994
asRioter (uncredited)
1979
asReferee
1980
asPaul
1972
asSecond Dracula Henchman
2006
asMilt
1986
asMotorcycle Cop
asReferee
asUnion Guy
asWrestler
as
asJames Wallace
as
asTarzan McGirk
asJunior
as
as
asOld Man on Scooter
as
asMezron's Brother
as
asBartender
as
asArchbishop
asReferee
asLarry
asReferee
asBlack Ben
asThe Referee
asReferee
asSelf
asBarney
asMurph
asReferee
asCarl
asFelix
asGrandpa
Production
Crew
1985
as
1990
as
1979
as
1997
as
2005
as
2001
as1995
as
1974
as
2006
as
1990
as
1992
as
1968
as
1970
as
1974
as
1985
as
1993
as1973
as
1974
as
1995
as
1972
as
1979
as1978
as
1974
as
1987
as
1967
as
1982
as
1990
as1972
as
1976
as
1980
as
1985
as
1985
as
1990
as
1991
as
1992
as
1990
as
1996
as
1997
as
1970
as
1974
as1986
as
1995
as
1999
as
1985
as
1986
as
2003
as1978
as
1985
as
1987
as
1990
as
1966
as
1968
as
2000
as
1991
as
2004
as1974
as
1975
as
1990
as
1990
as
1995
as1995
as2006
as
1966
as
1975
as
1976
as
1965
as
1973
as1978
as1980
as
1987
as
1989
as
1989
as
1991
as
2002
as1973
as
1982
as
1986
as
1990
as
1991
as
1963
as
1976
as
1977
as1979
as
2001
as
1968
as
1982
as
1990
as
1974
as1978
as
1978
as
1980
as1981
as
1990
as
1997
as
1999
as
1998
as1999
as
1983
as
1987
as
1991
as
1997
as1987
as
1993
as
1994
as
1986
as
1988
as1992
as
1994
as
1997
as
1999
as
1996
as
1997
as1997
as
1983
as
1984
as
1989
as
1990
as
1991
as
1995
as1997
as
1997
as
1997
as
1995
as
1997
as
2006
as1999
as
2007
as
1987
as
1987
as
2000
as
1974
as
1997
as1988
as
1992
as
1991
as
asDirecting
