About
Gene LeBell
Overview
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 |
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| 2021 | Biography: “Rowdy” Roddy Piper | Actor | Self | 59 Average |
| 2020 | The Search for Count Dante | Actor | N/A N/A |
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| 2019 | The Ronda Rousey Story: Through My Father's Eyes | Actor | 58 Average |
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| 2018 | Fury of the Fist and the Golden Fleece | Actor | The Boss | 59 Average |
| 2012 | I Am Bruce Lee | Actor | Self | 63 Fair |
| 2009 | From Mexico With Love | Actor | Referee | 58 Average |
| 2004 | Cellular | Actor | Driving Instructor (uncredited) | 62 Fair |
| 2004 | Spider-Man 2 | Actor | Train Passenger (uncredited) | 72 Good |
| 2002 | Jackass: The Movie | Actor | Self | 62 Fair |
| 2002 | Men in Black II | Actor | Subway Passenger (uncredited) | 63 Fair |
| 2001 | Rat Race | Actor | Veteran with Gun | 62 Fair |
| 1999 | Man on the Moon | Actor | Foxy Jackson Referee | 69 Fair |
| 1999 | Running Red | Actor | Mercier's Bodyguard | 59 Average |
| 1998 | Hard Time | Actor | Eddie | 58 Average |
| 1998 | Rush Hour | Actor | Taxi Driver | 68 Fair |
| 1997 | Double Tap | Actor | Wallace | 58 Average |
| 1997 | Batman & Robin | Actor | Arkham Asylum Property Room Guard | 45 Bad |
| 1996 | Shaughnessy: The Iron Marshal | Actor | NYC bouncer | N/A N/A |
| 1995 | Jury Duty | Actor | Security Guard (uncredited) | 56 Average |
| 1995 | 3 Ninjas Knuckle Up | Actor | Red-Haired Waste Plant Worker Punching Rocky (uncredited) | 56 Average |
| 1994 | Ed Wood | Actor | Ring Announcer (uncredited) | 71 Good |
| 1994 | Ring of Steel | Actor | MiB Bodyguard | 58 Average |
| 1992 | Bloodfist IV: Die Trying | Actor | Burly | 58 Average |
| 1992 | Rapid Fire | Actor | Red Haired Serrano Gunman (uncredited) | 60 Fair |
| 1991 | Eyes of an Angel | Actor | Pit Bull Handler | 59 Average |
| 1991 | Alligator 2: The Mutation | Actor | Referee | 57 Average |
| 1991 | Kickboxer 2: The Road Back | Actor | Referee | 57 Average |
| 1990 | Loose Cannons | Actor | Grimmer's Man | 57 Average |
| 1988 | Dead Heat | Actor | 59 Average |
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| 1987 | Death Wish 4: The Crackdown | Actor | Cannery Guard | 58 Average |
| 1987 | Number One with a Bullet | Actor | Referee | 58 Average |
| 1986 | The Golden Child | Actor | Drunken Biker (uncredited) | 58 Average |
| 1986 | Bad Guys | Actor | Terrible Turk Mc Gurk | 59 Average |
| 1984 | Micki + Maude | Actor | Wrestling Referee | 58 Average |
| 1982 | Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid | Actor | Hood | 61 Fair |
| 1981 | Heartbeeps | Actor | Forklift Driver Robot | 58 Average |
| 1981 | Smokey Bites the Dust | Actor | Turk | 58 Average |
| 1981 | Going Ape! | Actor | Faraday | 58 Average |
| 1980 | Raging Bull | Actor | Ring Announcer (Reeves Fight) | 77 Good |
| 1980 | The Big Brawl | Actor | Stroke (as Gene La Bell) | 58 Average |
| 1980 | Airplane! | Actor | Religious Zealot (uncredited) | 71 Good |
| 1979 | Goldie and the Boxer | Actor | Vinnie | 58 Average |
| 1979 | The Jerk | Actor | Con Man | 65 Fair |
| 1979 | Marciano | Actor | Ring Announcer | N/A N/A |
| 1979 | Flesh & Blood | Actor | 2nd Fat Guy | 58 Average |
| 1978 | Every Which Way but Loose | Actor | Biker | 59 Average |
| 1978 | The Bad News Bears Go to Japan | Actor | Mean Bones' Manager | 58 Average |
| 1978 | Almost Summer | Actor | Football Coach | 58 Average |
| 1978 | I Wanna Hold Your Hand | Actor | Theatre Cop: Reese | 59 Average |
| 1978 | The One and Only | Actor | Reigning World Wrestling Champion (uncredited) | 58 Average |
| 1976 | No Way Back | Actor | N/A N/A |
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| 1974 | Black Samson | Actor | Nappa's Gang (as Gene LaBell) | 58 Average |
| 1973 | Slaughter's Big Rip Off | Actor | Leo (uncredited) | 58 Average |
| 1973 | Cleopatra Jones | Actor | Mommy's Henchman (uncredited) | 58 Average |
| 1973 | Walking Tall | Actor | 2nd Bouncer | 60 Fair |
| 1972 | Melinda | Actor | Hood | 59 Average |
| 1972 | Hammer | Actor | Referee | 59 Average |
| 1970 | The Challenge | Actor | Karate Instructor | 58 Average |
| 1966 | Paradise, Hawaiian Style | Actor | 58 Average |
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| 1961 | Blue Hawaii | Actor | (uncredited) | 58 Average |
Crew |
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| 2007 | Reno 911!: Miami | Crew | Stunts | 58 Average |
| 2006 | Smokin' Aces | Crew | Stunts | 63 Fair |
| 2006 | Bottoms Up | Crew | Stunts | 56 Average |
| 2006 | Beerfest | Crew | Stunts | 58 Average |
| 2005 | Mr. & Mrs. Smith | Crew | Utility Stunts | 66 Fair |
| 2004 | Starsky & Hutch | Crew | Stunts | 58 Average |
| 2003 | Bruce Almighty | Crew | Stunts | 66 Fair |
| 2002 | Deuces Wild | Crew | Stunts | 58 Average |
| 2001 | The Last Castle | Crew | Stunts | 67 Fair |
| 2001 | Bandits | Crew | Stunts | 61 Fair |
| 2000 | Dude, Where's My Car? | Crew | Stunts | 55 Average |
| 2000 | The Extreme Adventures of Super Dave | Crew | Stunts | 58 Average |
| 1999 | Man on the Moon | Crew | Stunts | 69 Fair |
| 1999 | End of Days | Crew | Utility Stunts | 60 Fair |
| 1999 | The Hunter's Moon | Crew | Stunts | 59 Average |
| 1999 | Mystery Men | Crew | Stunts | 58 Average |
| 1999 | Running Red | Crew | Stunts | 59 Average |
| 1998 | U.S. Marshals | Crew | Stunts | 63 Fair |
| 1997 | As Good as It Gets | Crew | Stunts | 72 Good |
| 1997 | L.A. Confidential | Crew | Stunts | 76 Good |
| 1997 | Double Tap | Crew | Stunts | 58 Average |
| 1997 | The Brave | Crew | Stunts | 59 Average |
| 1997 | Bean | Crew | Stunts | 63 Fair |
| 1997 | Batman & Robin | Crew | Stunts | 45 Bad |
| 1997 | Gone Fishin' | Crew | Stunts | 56 Average |
| 1997 | Trial and Error | Crew | Stunts | 58 Average |
| 1997 | Liar Liar | Crew | Stunts | 66 Fair |
| 1997 | Judge and Jury | Crew | Stunts | 58 Average |
| 1997 | Vegas Vacation | Crew | Stunts | 59 Average |
| 1997 | Dante's Peak | Crew | Stunts | 61 Fair |
| 1996 | Jingle All the Way | Crew | Stunts | 60 Fair |
| 1996 | Independence Day | Crew | Stunts | 68 Fair |
| 1995 | Money Train | Crew | Stunts | 58 Average |
| 1995 | Strange Days | Crew | Stunts | 66 Fair |
| 1995 | Waterworld | Crew | Stunts | 61 Fair |
| 1995 | Jury Duty | Crew | Stunts | 56 Average |
| 1995 | 3 Ninjas Knuckle Up | Crew | Stunts | 56 Average |
| 1995 | Steel Frontier | Crew | Stunts | 58 Average |
| 1995 | Ballistic | Crew | Stunts | 58 Average |
| 1994 | Blown Away | Crew | Stunts | 60 Fair |
| 1994 | Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insult | Crew | Stunts | 63 Fair |
| 1993 | CIA II: Target Alexa | Crew | Stunts | 58 Average |
| 1993 | Conflict of Interest | Crew | Stunts | 58 Average |
| 1992 | Army of Darkness | Crew | Stunts | 70 Good |
| 1992 | Night and the City | Crew | Stunts | 58 Average |
| 1992 | Rapid Fire | Crew | Stunts | 60 Fair |
| 1992 | Patriot Games | Crew | Stunts | 64 Fair |
| 1991 | The Last Boy Scout | Crew | Stunts | 66 Fair |
| 1991 | Write to Kill | Crew | Stunts | 59 Average |
| 1991 | Trancers II: The Return of Jack Deth | Crew | Stunts | 58 Average |
| 1991 | Dutch | Crew | Stunts | 60 Fair |
| 1991 | Out for Justice | Crew | Stunts | 59 Average |
| 1991 | Hook | Crew | Stunts | 67 Fair |
| 1990 | Almost an Angel | Crew | Stunts | 58 Average |
| 1990 | Marked for Death | Crew | Stunts | 59 Average |
| 1990 | Death Warrant | Crew | Stunts | 60 Fair |
| 1990 | Darkman | Crew | Stunts | 62 Fair |
| 1990 | Men at Work | Crew | Stunts | 58 Average |
| 1990 | Problem Child | Crew | Stunts | 60 Fair |
| 1990 | Die Hard 2 | Crew | Stunts | 68 Fair |
| 1990 | RoboCop 2 | Crew | Stunts | 59 Average |
| 1990 | Total Recall | Crew | Stunts | 71 Good |
| 1990 | Dick Tracy | Crew | Stunts | 60 Fair |
| 1990 | Hard to Kill | Crew | Stunts | 59 Average |
| 1990 | Internal Affairs | Crew | Stunts | 60 Fair |
| 1989 | Tango & Cash | Crew | Stunts | 63 Fair |
| 1989 | No Holds Barred | Crew | Stunts | 57 Average |
| 1989 | Fletch Lives | Crew | Stunts | 59 Average |
| 1988 | Mac and Me | Crew | Stunts | 54 Average |
| 1988 | Dead Heat | Crew | Stunts | 59 Average |
| 1987 | Code Name: Zebra | Crew | Stunts | 59 Average |
| 1987 | The Running Man | Crew | Stunts | 63 Fair |
| 1987 | The Lost Boys | Crew | Stunts | 68 Fair |
| 1987 | RoboCop | Crew | Stunts | 71 Good |
| 1987 | Nightforce | Crew | Stunts | 59 Average |
| 1987 | Blind Date | Crew | Stunts | 59 Average |
| 1987 | Number One with a Bullet | Crew | Stunts | 58 Average |
| 1986 | The Morning After | Crew | Stunts | 59 Average |
| 1986 | The Golden Child | Crew | Stunts | 58 Average |
| 1986 | A Fine Mess | Crew | Stunts | 58 Average |
| 1986 | Eye of the Tiger | Crew | Stunts | 59 Average |
| 1985 | Rocky IV | Crew | Stunts | 69 Fair |
| 1985 | Runaway Train | Crew | Stunts | 64 Fair |
| 1985 | City Limits | Crew | Stunts | 57 Average |
| 1985 | D.A.R.Y.L. | Crew | Stunts | 60 Fair |
| 1985 | Fletch | Crew | Stunts | 63 Fair |
| 1985 | Friday the 13th: A New Beginning | Crew | Stunts | 54 Average |
| 1984 | Johnny Dangerously | Crew | Stunts | 59 Average |
| 1983 | Losin' It | Crew | Stunts | 57 Average |
| 1983 | Heart Like a Wheel | Crew | Stunts | 58 Average |
| 1982 | They Call Me Bruce? | Crew | Stunts | 58 Average |
| 1982 | The Beastmaster | Crew | Stunts | 60 Fair |
| 1982 | White Dog | Crew | Stunts | 61 Fair |
| 1981 | Smokey Bites the Dust | Crew | Stunts | 58 Average |
| 1980 | Inside Moves | Crew | Stunts | 59 Average |
| 1980 | Airplane! | Crew | Stunts | 71 Good |
| 1980 | Bronco Billy | Crew | Stunts | 60 Fair |
| 1979 | The Prize Fighter | Crew | Stunts | 58 Average |
| 1979 | Americathon | Crew | Stunts | 58 Average |
| 1979 | The Fantastic Seven | Crew | Stunts | N/A N/A |
| 1978 | Every Which Way but Loose | Crew | Stunts | 59 Average |
| 1978 | The Fifth Floor | Crew | Stunts | 58 Average |
| 1978 | Almost Summer | Crew | Stunts | 58 Average |
| 1978 | I Wanna Hold Your Hand | Crew | Stunts | 59 Average |
| 1978 | The One and Only | Crew | Stunt Coordinator | 58 Average |
| 1977 | Black Sunday | Crew | Stunts | 60 Fair |
| 1976 | Rocky | Crew | Stunts | 76 Good |
| 1976 | King Kong | Crew | Stunts | 60 Fair |
| 1976 | The Big Bus | Crew | Stunts | 57 Average |
| 1975 | Let's Do It Again | Crew | Stunts | 59 Average |
| 1975 | The Day of the Locust | Crew | Stunts | 59 Average |
| 1974 | Freebie and the Bean | Crew | Stunts | 59 Average |
| 1974 | The Towering Inferno | Crew | Stunts | 66 Fair |
| 1974 | Earthquake | Crew | Stunts | 59 Average |
| 1974 | The Gambler | Crew | Stunts | 60 Fair |
| 1974 | 99 and 44/100% Dead | Crew | Stunts | 58 Average |
| 1974 | Black Samson | Crew | Stunts | 58 Average |
| 1974 | California Split | Crew | Stunts | 60 Fair |
| 1974 | Busting | Crew | Stunts | 59 Average |
| 1973 | Hell Up In Harlem | Crew | Stunts | 58 Average |
| 1973 | Cleopatra Jones | Crew | Stunts | 58 Average |
| 1973 | Walking Tall | Crew | Stunts | 60 Fair |
| 1972 | Blacula | Crew | Stunts | 57 Average |
| 1972 | Conquest of the Planet of the Apes | Crew | Stunts | 60 Fair |
| 1970 | There Was a Crooked Man... | Crew | Stunts | 60 Fair |
| 1970 | Beneath the Planet of the Apes | Crew | Stunts | 60 Fair |
| 1968 | The Split | Crew | Stunts | 59 Average |
| 1968 | Don't Just Stand There | Crew | Stunt Coordinator | 59 Average |
| 1968 | Planet of the Apes | Crew | Stunts | 74 Good |
| 1967 | The Happiest Millionaire | Crew | Stunt Coordinator | 59 Average |
| 1966 | What Did You Do in the War, Daddy? | Crew | Stunts | 58 Average |
| 1966 | Three on a Couch | Crew | Stunts | 58 Average |
| 1965 | 7 Women | Crew | Stunts | 59 Average |
| 1963 | 4 for Texas | Crew | Stunts | 58 Average |