Gene LeBell
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.
Filmography
The Search for Count Dante
The Search for Count Dante
The Ronda Rousey Story: Through My Father's Eyes
as Self
The Ronda Rousey Story: Through My Father's Eyes
as Self
From Mexico With Love
as Referee
From Mexico With Love
as Referee
Blood and Bone
as Attendant
Blood and Bone
as Attendant
Redbelt
as Old Stuntman
Redbelt
as Old Stuntman
Cellular
as Driving Instructor (uncredited)
Cellular
as Driving Instructor (uncredited)
Jackass: The Movie
as Self
Jackass: The Movie
as Self
Men in Black II
as Subway Passenger (uncredited)
Men in Black II
as Subway Passenger (uncredited)
Rat Race
as Veteran with Gun
Rat Race
as Veteran with Gun
Man on the Moon
as Foxy Jackson Referee
Man on the Moon
as Foxy Jackson Referee
Running Red
as Mercier's Bodyguard
Running Red
as Mercier's Bodyguard
Rush Hour
as Taxi Driver
Rush Hour
as Taxi Driver
Double Tap
as Wallace
Double Tap
as Wallace
Batman & Robin
as Arkham Asylum Property Room Guard
Batman & Robin
as Arkham Asylum Property Room Guard
On the Edge of Innocence
as Security Guard
On the Edge of Innocence
as Security Guard
Shaughnessy: The Iron Marshal
as NYC bouncer
Shaughnessy: The Iron Marshal
as NYC bouncer
Jury Duty
as Security Guard (uncredited)
Jury Duty
as Security Guard (uncredited)
Ed Wood
as Ring Announcer
Ed Wood
as Ring Announcer
Ring of Steel
as MiB Bodyguard
Ring of Steel
as MiB Bodyguard
M.A.N.T.I.S.
as Rioter (uncredited)
M.A.N.T.I.S.
as Rioter (uncredited)
Rapid Fire
as Red Haired Serrano Gunman (uncredited)
Rapid Fire
as Red Haired Serrano Gunman (uncredited)
Loose Cannons
as Grimmer's Man
Loose Cannons
as Grimmer's Man
Dead Heat
Dead Heat
Death Wish 4: The Crackdown
as Cannery Guard
Death Wish 4: The Crackdown
as Cannery Guard
Number One with a Bullet
as Referee
Number One with a Bullet
as Referee
The Golden Child
as Drunken Biker (uncredited)
The Golden Child
as Drunken Biker (uncredited)
Bad Guys
as Terrible Turk Mc Gurk
Bad Guys
as Terrible Turk Mc Gurk
Micki & Maude
as Wrestling Referee
Micki & Maude
as Wrestling Referee
City Heat
as Garage Soldier
City Heat
as Garage Soldier
Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid
as Hood
Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid
as Hood
Heartbeeps
as Forklift Driver Robot
Heartbeeps
as Forklift Driver Robot
Smokey Bites the Dust
as Turk
Smokey Bites the Dust
as Turk
Raging Bull
as Ring Announcer (Reeves Fight)
Raging Bull
as Ring Announcer (Reeves Fight)
Foolin' Around
as Paul
Foolin' Around
as Paul
Airplane!
as Religious Zealot (uncredited)
Airplane!
as Religious Zealot (uncredited)
Goldie and the Boxer
as Vinnie
Goldie and the Boxer
as Vinnie
The Jerk
as Con Man
The Jerk
as Con Man
Marciano
as Ring Announcer
Marciano
as Ring Announcer
Flesh & Blood
as 2nd Fat Guy
Flesh & Blood
as 2nd Fat Guy
Americathon
as Referee
Americathon
as Referee
The Bad News Bears Go to Japan
as Mean Bones' Manager
The Bad News Bears Go to Japan
as Mean Bones' Manager
Almost Summer
as Football Coach
Almost Summer
as Football Coach
The One and Only
as Reigning World Wrestling Champion (uncredited)
The One and Only
as Reigning World Wrestling Champion (uncredited)
Black Samson
as Nappa's Gang
Black Samson
as Nappa's Gang
Slaughter's Big Rip-Off
as Leo (uncredited)
Slaughter's Big Rip-Off
as Leo (uncredited)
Cleopatra Jones
as Mommy's Henchman (uncredited)
Cleopatra Jones
as Mommy's Henchman (uncredited)
Walking Tall
as 2nd Bouncer
Walking Tall
as 2nd Bouncer
The Challenge
as Karate Instructor
The Challenge
as Karate Instructor
Paradise, Hawaiian Style
Paradise, Hawaiian Style
Blue Hawaii
as (uncredited)
Blue Hawaii
as (uncredited)