Gene LeBell
Acting1932Los 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
Acting History
2018
Fury of the Fist and the Golden Fleece
as The Boss
2012
I Am Bruce Lee
as Self
2010
The Sarah Silverman Program.
TVas Carl• 1 eps
2009
From Mexico With Love
as Referee
Reno 911!
TVas Grandpa• 1 eps
2008
Redbelt
as Old Stuntman
2007
Reno 911!: Miami
Stunts
2006
2005
Mr. & Mrs. Smith
Utility Stunts
2004
Cellular
as Driving Instructor (uncredited)
Spider-Man 2
as Train Passenger (uncredited)
Starsky & Hutch
Stunts
2003
Strong Medicine
TVas Referee• 1 eps
Bruce Almighty
Stunts
2002
2001
2000
The X-Files
TVas Bartender• 1 eps
Dude, Where's My Car?
Stunts
1999
Man on the Moon
as Foxy Jackson Referee
Running Red
as Mercier's Bodyguard
That '70s Show
TVas Referee• 1 eps
End of Days
Utility Stunts
Running Red
Stunts
The Hunter's Moon
Stunts
Mystery Men
Stunts
Man on the Moon
Stunts
1998
1997
Batman & Robin
as Arkham Asylum Property Room Guard
Double Tap
as Wallace
On the Edge of Innocence
as Security Guard
Married... with Children
TVas Referee / Larry / Brutus / Black Ben• 1 eps
Trial and Error
Stunts
Dante's Peak
Stunts
Judge and Jury
Stunts
As Good as It Gets
Stunts
The Brave
Stunts
Double Tap
Stunts
Gone Fishin'
Stunts
Vegas Vacation
Stunts
Bean
Stunts
Liar Liar
Stunts
Batman & Robin
Stunts
L.A. Confidential
Stunts
1996
1995
Jury Duty
as Security Guard (uncredited)
3 Ninjas Knuckle Up
as Red-Haired Waste Plant Worker Punching Rocky (uncredited)
Money Train
Stunts
Strange Days
Stunts
Jury Duty
Stunts
3 Ninjas Knuckle Up
Stunts
Steel Frontier
Stunts
Ballistic
Stunts
Waterworld
Stunts
1994
Ed Wood
as Ring Announcer
M.A.N.T.I.S.
as Rioter (uncredited)
Ring of Steel
as MiB Bodyguard
Family Matters
TVas Referee• 1 eps
Blown Away
Stunts
1993
C.I.A. II: Target Alexa
Stunts
Conflict of Interest
Stunts
1992
Bloodfist IV: Die Trying
as Burly
Rapid Fire
as Red Haired Serrano Gunman (uncredited)
The Human Factor
TVas Referee
Night and the City
Stunts
Patriot Games
Stunts
Army of Darkness
Stunts
Rapid Fire
Stunts
1991
Kickboxer 2: The Road Back
as Referee
The Tender
as Pit Bull Handler
Alligator 2: The Mutation
as Referee
MacGyver
TVas Murph• 1 eps
Out for Justice
Stunts
Hook
Stunts
Write to Kill
Stunts
For the Boys
Stunts
Dutch
Stunts
The Last Boy Scout
Stunts
Trancers II
Stunts
1990
Loose Cannons
as Grimmer's Man
Dick Tracy
Stunts
Problem Child
Stunts
Hard to Kill
Stunts
RoboCop 2
Stunts
Die Hard 2
Stunts
Men at Work
Stunts
Internal Affairs
Stunts
Almost an Angel
Stunts
Darkman
Stunts
Total Recall
Stunts
Marked for Death
Stunts
Death Warrant
Stunts
1989
1988
1987
Number One with a Bullet
as Referee
Death Wish 4: The Crackdown
as Cannery Guard
Sledge Hammer!
TVas Archbishop• 1 eps
Nightforce
Stunts
The Running Man
Stunts
Number One with a Bullet
Stunts
Code Name: Zebra
Stunts
RoboCop
Stunts
The Lost Boys
Stunts
1986
The Golden Child
as Drunken Biker (uncredited)
Bad Guys
as Terrible Turk Mc Gurk
Welcome to 18
as Motorcycle Cop
Eye of the Tiger
Stunts
The Morning After
Stunts
A Fine Mess
Stunts
The Golden Child
Stunts
1985
1984
Micki & Maude
as Wrestling Referee
Knight Rider
TVas Junior• 1 eps
The Master
TVas Brawler (uncredited)
Johnny Dangerously
Stunts
1983
Heart Like a Wheel
Stunts
Losin' It
Stunts
1982
Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid
as Hood
T. J. Hooker
TVas James Wallace• 1 eps
Taxi
TVas The Referee• 1 eps
They Call Me Bruce?
Stunts
The Beastmaster
Stunts
White Dog
Stunts
1981
Going Ape!
as Faraday
Smokey Bites the Dust
as Turk
Heartbeeps
as Forklift Driver Robot
Smokey Bites the Dust
Stunts
1980
Raging Bull
as Ring Announcer (Reeves Fight)
Airplane!
as Religious Zealot (uncredited)
The Big Brawl
as Stroke
Foolin' Around
as Paul
Inside Moves
Stunts
Bronco Billy
Stunts
Airplane!
Stunts
Magnum, P.I.
TVStunt Double
1979
Marciano
as Ring Announcer
Americathon
as Referee
The Jerk
as Con Man
Flesh & Blood
as 2nd Fat Guy
Goldie and the Boxer
as Vinnie
The Prize Fighter
Stunts
The Fantastic Seven
Stunts
Americathon
Stunts
1978
I Wanna Hold Your Hand
as Theatre Cop: Reese
Almost Summer
as Football Coach
Every Which Way but Loose
as Biker
The Bad News Bears Go to Japan
as Mean Bones' Manager
The One and Only
as Reigning World Wrestling Champion (uncredited)
I Wanna Hold Your Hand
Stunts
Almost Summer
Stunts
The One and Only
Stunt Coordinator
The Fifth Floor
Stunts
1977
Black Sunday
Stunts
1976
1975
1974
Black Samson
as Nappa's Gang (as Gene LaBell)
Earthquake
Stunts
The Towering Inferno
Stunts
Freebie and the Bean
Stunts
California Split
Stunts
99 and 44/100% Dead
Stunts
Busting
Stunts
The Gambler
Stunts
Black Samson
Stunts
1973
Walking Tall
as 2nd Bouncer
Cleopatra Jones
as Mommy's Henchman (uncredited)
Slaughter's Big Rip-Off
as Leo (uncredited)
Cleopatra Jones
Stunts
Hell Up In Harlem
Stunts
Walking Tall
Stunts
1970
The Challenge
as Karate Instructor
1969
Land of the Giants
TVas Mezron's Brother• 1 eps
1968
The Wild Wild West
TVas Felix• 1 eps
Planet of the Apes
Stunts
The Split
Stunts
Don't Just Stand There
Stunt Coordinator
1967
The Happiest Millionaire
Stunt Coordinator
1966
The Green Hornet
TVas Barney• 1 eps
Three on a Couch
Stunts
1965
7 Women
Stunts
1964
Burke's Law
TVas Wrestler• 1 eps
The Munsters
TVas Tarzan McGirk• 1 eps
1963
4 for Texas
Stunts
1961
Blue Hawaii
as (uncredited)