Gene LeBell
Acting
🎂 1932-10-09
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.
Cast credits(97)
Larry
1987
Referee
1987
Black Ben
1987
Referee
1998
Junior
1982
1977
Wrestler
1963
Bartender
1993
Murph
1985
James Wallace
1982
1962
Felix
1965
1981
Union Guy
1981
Old Man on Scooter
2003
Grandpa
2003
Referee
2000
Carl
2007
1979
Tarzan McGirk
1964
Barney
1966
1976
1967
1975
Mezron's Brother
1968
Archbishop
1986
Referee
1978
The Referee
1978
Referee
1992
Taxi Driver
1998
Self
1974
Subway Passenger (uncredited)
2002
Religious Zealot (uncredited)
1980
Train Passenger (uncredited)
2004
Arkham Asylum Property Room Guard
1997
Ring Announcer (Reeves Fight)
1980
Veteran with Gun
2001
Driving Instructor (uncredited)
2004
Drunken Biker (uncredited)
1986
Cannery Guard
1987
Biker
1978
Ring Announcer
1994
Foxy Jackson Referee
1999
Con Man
1979
Self
2002
2nd Bouncer
1973
Red Haired Serrano Gunman (uncredited)
1992
1988
Red-Haired Waste Plant Worker Punching Rocky (uncredited)
1995
Hood
1982
Theatre Cop: Reese
1978
Old Stuntman
2008
1966
Referee
1991
(uncredited)
1961
Second Dracula Henchman
1972
Self
2012
Pit Bull Handler
1991
Security Guard (uncredited)
1995
Stroke (as Gene La Bell)
1980
Grimmer's Man
1990
Milt
2006
Forklift Driver Robot
1981
Motorcycle Cop
1986
Referee
1991
Faraday
1981
Hood
1972
Mean Bones' Manager
1978
Referee
1972
Leo (uncredited)
1973
Wrestling Referee
1984
Referee
1987
Referee
1979
Vinnie
1979
Reigning World Wrestling Champion (uncredited)
1978
The Boss
2018
Turk
1981
Rioter (uncredited)
1994
Wallace
1997
2019
Mommy's Henchman (uncredited)
1973
Paul
1980
NYC bouncer
1996
2nd Fat Guy
1979
MiB Bodyguard
1994
Nappa's Gang (as Gene LaBell)
1974
Eddie
1998
Referee
2009
Mercier's Bodyguard
1999
Ring Announcer
1979
Terrible Turk Mc Gurk
1986
Burly
1992
Karate Instructor
1970
Football Coach
1978
Self
2021
1976
2020
Crew (136)
Stunt Double
1980
Utility Stunts
2005
Stunts
1996
Stunts
1991
Stunts
1990
Stunts
1976
Stunts
2003
Stunts
1987
Stunts
1980
Stunts
1985
Stunts
1968
Stunts
1990
Stunts
1995
Stunts
1994
Stunts
1997
Stunts
1997
Stunts
1997
Stunts
1997
Stunts
1992
Stunts
1997
Stunts
1987
Stunts
1990
Stunts
1998
Stunts
1970
Stunts
1991
Stunts
1990
Stunts
1972
Stunts
1997
Stunts
1987
Stunts
2001
Stunts
2004
Stunts
1996
Utility Stunts
1999
Stunts
1989
Stunts
2000
Stunts
1986
Stunts
1985
Stunts
1986
Stunts
1992
Stunts
1982
Stunts
2006
Stunts
1976
Stunts
1974
Stunts
1985
Stunts
1995
Stunts
1995
Stunts
1990
Stunts
1978
Stunts
1990
Stunts
1997
Stunts
1985
Stunts
1974
Stunts
1990
Stunts
1985
Stunts
1999
Stunts
1990
Stunts
2001
Stunts
1991
Stunts
1990
Stunts
2006
Stunts
1990
Stunts
1987
Stunts
1973
Stunts
1994
Stunts
1990
Stunts
1992
Stunts
1999
Stunts
1988
Stunts
1995
Stunts
1978
Stunts
1970
Stunts
1977
Stunts
1988
Stunts
1989
Stunts
1980
Stunts
1966
Stunts
1972
Stunts
1986
Stunts
1991
Stunts
1991
Stunts
1986
Stunts
1990
Stunts
1963
Stunts
1975
Stunts
1975
Stunts
1997
Stunts
1997
Stunts
1976
Stunts
1978
Stunts
2007
Stunts
1982
Stunts
1974
Stunts
1995
Stunts
1965
Stunts
2006
Stunts
1982
Stunts
1974
Stunt Coordinator
1967
Stunts
1984
Stunts
1974
Stunts
1983
Stunts
2002
Stunts
1973
Stunts
1974
Stunts
1987
Stunts
1992
Stunts
1997
Stunts
1979
Stunts
1993
Stunts
1968
Stunts
1991
Stunts
1995
Stunts
1987
Stunts
1995
Stunts
1980
Stunts
1993
Stunts
1979
Stunts
1989
Stunt Coordinator
1978
Stunts
1966
Stunts
1991
Stunts
1985
Stunts
1974
Stunts
1981
Stunts
1997
Stunts
2000
Stunts
1973
Stunts
1987
Stunts
1974
Stunts
1983
Stunts
1999
Stunts
1979
Stunts
1999
Stunt Coordinator
1968
Stunts
1978
Stunts
1997