Gene LeBell
Known for Acting · 98 credits
- Born
- 1932-10-09
- Died
- 2022-08-09
- Place of birth
- Los Angeles, California, USA
- Also known as
- Gene Le Bell · Gene La Bell · Gene LaBell
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
TV Shows (30)
Ironside
1967
Baretta
1975
The X-Files
1993
as Bartender
Married... with Children
1987
as Larry / Referee / Black Ben / Brutus
MacGyver
1985
as Murph
Strong Medicine
2000
as Referee
The Beverly Hillbillies
1962
That '70s Show
1998
as Referee
Fantasy Island
1978
as The Referee
Falcon Crest
1981
as Union Guy
Family Matters
1989
as Referee
The Wild Wild West
1965
as Felix
Knight Rider
1982
as Junior
Quincy, M.E.
1976
Reno 911!
2003
as Old Man on Scooter / Grandpa
Hart to Hart
1979
as Heavy #2
Simon & Simon
1981
Burke's Law
1963
as Wrestler
Taxi
1978
as Referee / The Referee
Dinah!
1974
as Self
T. J. Hooker
1982
as James Wallace
The Incredible Hulk
1977
The Munsters
1964
as Tarzan McGirk
The Sarah Silverman Program.
2007
as Carl
Land of the Giants
1968
as Mezron's Brother
Sledge Hammer!
1986
as Archbishop
The Green Hornet
1966
as Barney
The Master
1984
as Brawler (uncredited)
The Human Factor
1992
as Referee
Flesh & Blood
1979
as 2nd Fat Guy
Movies (68)
Rush Hour
1998
as Taxi Driver
Spider-Man 2
2004
as Train Passenger (uncredited)
Airplane!
1980
as Religious Zealot (uncredited)
Men in Black II
2002
as Subway Passenger (uncredited)
Batman & Robin
1997
as Arkham Asylum Property Room Guard
Jackass: The Movie
2002
as Self
Rat Race
2001
as Veteran with Gun
Raging Bull
1980
as Ring Announcer (Reeves Fight)
Blood and Bone
2009
as Attendant
Ed Wood
1994
as Ring Announcer
The Golden Child
1986
as Drunken Biker (uncredited)
Cellular
2004
as Driving Instructor (uncredited)
Every Which Way but Loose
1978
as Biker
Man on the Moon
1999
as Foxy Jackson Referee
Death Wish 4: The Crackdown
1987
as Cannery Guard
The Jerk
1979
as Con Man
3 Ninjas Knuckle Up
1995
as Red-Haired Waste Plant Worker Punching Rocky (uncredited)
Kickboxer 2: The Road Back
1991
as Referee
Running Red
1999
as Mercier's Bodyguard
The Big Brawl
1980
as Stroke
Walking Tall
1973
as 2nd Bouncer
Dead Heat
1988
Rapid Fire
1992
as Red Haired Serrano Gunman (uncredited)
Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid
1982
as Hood
Blue Hawaii
1961
as (uncredited)
I Wanna Hold Your Hand
1978
as Theatre Cop: Reese
Foolin' Around
1980
as Paul
Number One with a Bullet
1987
as Referee
I Am Bruce Lee
2012
as Self
Redbelt
2008
as Old Stuntman
Flesh & Blood
1979
as 2nd Fat Guy
Double Tap
1997
as Wallace
Loose Cannons
1990
as Grimmer's Man
Blacula
1972
as Second Dracula Henchman
Bottoms Up
2006
as Milt
Americathon
1979
as Referee
The One and Only
1978
as Reigning World Wrestling Champion (uncredited)
Alligator 2: The Mutation
1991
as Referee
Eyes of an Angel
1991
as Pit Bull Handler
Going Ape!
1981
as Faraday
Smokey Bites the Dust
1981
as Turk
Bloodfist IV: Die Trying
1992
as Burly
The Bad News Bears Go to Japan
1978
as Mean Bones' Manager
Shaughnessy: The Iron Marshal
1996
as NYC bouncer
On the Edge of Innocence
1997
as Security Guard
Heartbeeps
1981
as Forklift Driver Robot
Slaughter's Big Rip-Off
1973
as Leo (uncredited)
Jury Duty
1995
as Security Guard (uncredited)
Cleopatra Jones
1973
as Mommy's Henchman (uncredited)
Micki & Maude
1984
as Wrestling Referee
Melinda
1972
as Hood
From Mexico With Love
2009
as Referee
Paradise, Hawaiian Style
1966
M.A.N.T.I.S.
1994
as Rioter (uncredited)
Hard Time
1998
as Eddie
Black Samson
1974
as Nappa's Gang
Hammer
1972
as Referee
Bad Guys
1986
as Terrible Turk Mc Gurk
Ring of Steel
1994
as MiB Bodyguard
The Search for Count Dante
2020
Fury of the Fist and the Golden Fleece
2018
as The Boss
Almost Summer
1978
as Football Coach
The Ronda Rousey Story: Through My Father's Eyes
2019
as Self
The Challenge
1970
as Karate Instructor
Welcome to 18
1986
as Motorcycle Cop
Goldie and the Boxer
1979
as Vinnie
Marciano
1979
as Ring Announcer
No Way Back
1976
About 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 A… With 98 credits spanning from 1961 to 2020, Gene LeBell has appeared in 68 films and 30 TV shows.
Fans searching for Gene LeBell movies, Gene LeBell filmography, or the latest projects starring Gene LeBell can stream many of these titles on Bowood.TV, free and in HD, with no subscription required.
Most Popular Gene LeBell Movies
- Rush Hour (1998) — as Taxi Driver
- Spider-Man 2 (2004) — as Train Passenger (uncredited)
- Airplane! (1980) — as Religious Zealot (uncredited)
- Men in Black II (2002) — as Subway Passenger (uncredited)
- Batman & Robin (1997) — as Arkham Asylum Property Room Guard
Where to Watch Gene LeBell Films
Most Gene LeBell movies and series are available to stream on Bowood.TV in full HD, completely free and without signup. Browse the complete filmography above to jump directly to any title. For more films and the latest web series featuring Gene LeBell, check our movies catalogue and browse page.