Person
Gene LeBell
Acting · 1932–2022 · Los Angeles, California, USA
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
The X-Files
Bartender
MacGyver
Murph
Married... with Children
Larry
Simon & Simon
1981
Ironside
1967
Knight Rider
Junior
Falcon Crest
Union Guy
Magnum, P.I.
Stunt Double
That '70s Show
Referee
Taxi
Referee
Filmography
- 2020The Search for Count Dante
- 2019The Ronda Rousey Story: Through My Father's EyesSelf
- 2018Fury of the Fist and the Golden FleeceThe Boss
- 2012I Am Bruce LeeSelf
- 2009From Mexico With LoveReferee
- 2009Blood and BoneAttendant
- 2008RedbeltOld Stuntman
- 2007Reno 911!: MiamiStunts
- 2007The Sarah Silverman Program.Carl
- 2006Smokin' AcesStunts
- 2006Bottoms UpMilt
- 2006BeerfestStunts
- 2005Mr. & Mrs. SmithUtility Stunts
- 2004CellularDriving Instructor (uncredited)
- 2004Spider-Man 2Train Passenger (uncredited)
- 2004Starsky & HutchStunts
- 2003Reno 911!Old Man on Scooter
- 2003Bruce AlmightyStunts
- 2002Jackass: The MovieSelf
- 2002Men in Black IISubway Passenger (uncredited)
- 2002Deuces WildStunts
- 2001The Last CastleStunts
- 2001BanditsStunts
- 2001Rat RaceVeteran with Gun
- 2000Dude, Where's My Car?Stunts
- 2000Strong MedicineReferee
- 2000The Extreme Adventures of Super DaveStunts
- 1999Man on the MoonFoxy Jackson Referee
- 1999End of DaysUtility Stunts
- 1999The Hunter's MoonStunts
- 1999Mystery MenStunts
- 1999Running RedMercier's Bodyguard
- 1998Hard TimeEddie
- 1998Rush HourTaxi Driver
- 1998That '70s ShowReferee
- 1998U.S. MarshalsStunts
- 1997As Good as It GetsStunts
- 1997L.A. ConfidentialStunts
- 1997Double TapWallace
- 1997The BraveStunts
- 1997BeanStunts
- 1997Batman & RobinArkham Asylum Property Room Guard
- 1997Gone Fishin'Stunts
- 1997Trial and ErrorStunts
- 1997On the Edge of InnocenceSecurity Guard
- 1997Liar LiarStunts
- 1997Judge and JuryStunts
- 1997Vegas VacationStunts
- 1997Dante's PeakStunts
- 1996Jingle All the WayStunts
- 1996Independence DayStunts
- 1996Shaughnessy: The Iron MarshalNYC bouncer
- 1995Money TrainStunts
- 1995Strange DaysStunts
- 1995WaterworldStunts
- 1995Jury DutySecurity Guard (uncredited)
- 19953 Ninjas Knuckle UpRed-Haired Waste Plant Worker Punching Rocky (uncredited)
- 1995Steel FrontierStunts
- 1995BallisticStunts
- 1994Ed WoodRing Announcer
- 1994Blown AwayStunts
- 1994Ring of SteelMiB Bodyguard
- 1994Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final InsultStunts
- 1994M.A.N.T.I.S.Rioter (uncredited)
- 1993C.I.A. II: Target AlexaStunts
- 1993The X-FilesBartender
- 1993Conflict of InterestStunts
- 1992Bloodfist IV: Die TryingBurly
- 1992Army of DarknessStunts
- 1992Night and the CityStunts
- 1992Rapid FireRed Haired Serrano Gunman (uncredited)
- 1992Patriot GamesStunts
- 1992The Human FactorReferee
- 1991The Last Boy ScoutStunts
- 1991For the BoysStunts
- 1991Write to KillStunts
- 1991Trancers IIStunts
- 1991Eyes of an AngelPit Bull Handler
- 1991DutchStunts
- 1991Alligator 2: The MutationReferee
- 1991Out for JusticeStunts
- 1991HookStunts
- 1991Kickboxer 2: The Road BackReferee
- 1990Almost an AngelStunts
- 1990Marked for DeathStunts
- 1990Death WarrantStunts
- 1990Men at WorkStunts
- 1990DarkmanStunts
- 1990Problem ChildStunts
- 1990Die Hard 2Stunts
- 1990RoboCop 2Stunts
- 1990Dick TracyStunts
- 1990Total RecallStunts
- 1990Loose CannonsGrimmer's Man
- 1990Hard to KillStunts
- 1990Internal AffairsStunts
- 1989Tango & CashStunts
- 1989Family MattersReferee
- 1989No Holds BarredStunts
- 1989Fletch LivesStunts
- 1988Mac and MeStunts
- 1988Dead Heat
- 1987Code Name: ZebraStunts
- 1987The Running ManStunts
- 1987The Lost BoysStunts
- 1987RoboCopStunts
- 1987Death Wish 4: The CrackdownCannery Guard
- 1987NightforceStunts
- 1987Married... with ChildrenLarry
- 1987Blind DateStunts
- 1987Number One with a BulletReferee
- 1986The Morning AfterStunts
- 1986The Golden ChildDrunken Biker (uncredited)
- 1986Sledge Hammer!Archbishop
- 1986A Fine MessStunts
- 1986Eye of the TigerStunts
- 1986Welcome to 18Motorcycle Cop
- 1986Bad GuysTerrible Turk Mc Gurk
- 1985Rocky IVStunts
- 1985Runaway TrainStunts
- 1985MacGyverMurph
- 1985City LimitsStunts
- 1985D.A.R.Y.L.Stunts
- 1985FletchStunts
- 1985Friday the 13th: A New BeginningStunts
- 1984Micki & MaudeWrestling Referee
- 1984Johnny DangerouslyStunts
- 1984The MasterBrawler (uncredited)
- 1983Losin' ItStunts
- 1983Heart Like a WheelStunts
- 1982They Call Me Bruce?Stunts
- 1982Knight RiderJunior
- 1982The BeastmasterStunts
- 1982White DogStunts
- 1982Dead Men Don't Wear PlaidHood
- 1982T. J. HookerJames Wallace
- 1981HeartbeepsForklift Driver Robot
- 1981Falcon CrestUnion Guy
- 1981Simon & Simon
- 1981Smokey Bites the DustTurk
- 1981Going Ape!Faraday
- 1980Inside MovesStunts
- 1980Magnum, P.I.Stunt Double
- 1980Raging BullRing Announcer (Reeves Fight)
- 1980Foolin' AroundPaul
- 1980The Big BrawlStroke
- 1980Airplane!Religious Zealot (uncredited)
- 1980Bronco BillyStunts
- 1979Goldie and the BoxerVinnie
- 1979The JerkCon Man
- 1979The Prize FighterStunts
- 1979MarcianoRing Announcer
- 1979Flesh & Blood2nd Fat Guy
- 1979Flesh & Blood2nd Fat Guy
- 1979Hart to HartHeavy #2
- 1979AmericathonReferee
- 1979The Fantastic SevenStunts
- 1978Every Which Way but LooseBiker
- 1978The Fifth FloorStunts
- 1978TaxiReferee
- 1978The Bad News Bears Go to JapanMean Bones' Manager
- 1978Almost SummerFootball Coach
- 1978I Wanna Hold Your HandTheatre Cop: Reese
- 1978The One and OnlyReigning World Wrestling Champion (uncredited)
- 1978Fantasy IslandThe Referee
- 1977The Incredible Hulk
- 1977Black SundayStunts
- 1976RockyStunts
- 1976Quincy, M.E.
- 1976King KongStunts
- 1976The Big BusStunts
- 1976No Way Back
- 1975Let's Do It AgainStunts
- 1975The Day of the LocustStunts
- 1975Baretta
- 1974Freebie and the BeanStunts
- 1974The Towering InfernoStunts
- 1974EarthquakeStunts
- 1974Dinah!Self
- 1974The GamblerStunts
- 197499 and 44/100% DeadStunts
- 1974Black SamsonNappa's Gang
- 1974California SplitStunts
- 1974BustingStunts
- 1973Hell Up In HarlemStunts
- 1973Slaughter's Big Rip-OffLeo (uncredited)
- 1973Cleopatra JonesMommy's Henchman (uncredited)
- 1973Walking Tall2nd Bouncer
- 1972BlaculaSecond Dracula Henchman
- 1972MelindaHood
- 1972HammerReferee
- 1972Conquest of the Planet of the ApesStunts
- 1970There Was a Crooked Man...Stunts
- 1970Beneath the Planet of the ApesStunts
- 1970The ChallengeKarate Instructor
- 1968The SplitStunts
- 1968Land of the GiantsMezron's Brother
- 1968Don't Just Stand ThereStunt Coordinator
- 1968Planet of the ApesStunts
- 1967The Happiest MillionaireStunt Coordinator
- 1967Ironside
- 1966The Green HornetBarney
- 1966What Did You Do in the War, Daddy?Stunts
- 1966Paradise, Hawaiian Style
- 1966Three on a CouchStunts
- 19657 WomenStunts
- 1965The Wild Wild WestFelix
- 1964The MunstersTarzan McGirk
- 19634 for TexasStunts
- 1963Burke's LawWrestler
- 1962The Beverly Hillbillies
- 1961Blue Hawaii(uncredited)
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