Gene LeBell
Known for Acting · 97 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)
The X-Files
1993
as Bartender
Falcon Crest
1981
as Union Guy
Married... with Children
1987
as Larry / Referee / Black Ben / Brutus
MacGyver
1985
as Murph
Ironside
1967
That '70s Show
1998
as Referee
Knight Rider
1982
as Junior
Quincy, M.E.
1976
Strong Medicine
2000
as Referee
The Beverly Hillbillies
1962
T. J. Hooker
1982
as James Wallace
Simon & Simon
1981
Hart to Hart
1979
as Heavy #2
Family Matters
1989
as Referee
Reno 911!
2003
as Old Man on Scooter / Grandpa
Taxi
1978
as Referee / The Referee
The Wild Wild West
1965
as Felix
Fantasy Island
1978
as The Referee
The Incredible Hulk
1977
Burke's Law
1963
as Wrestler
Baretta
1975
The Munsters
1964
as Tarzan McGirk
Land of the Giants
1968
as Mezron's Brother
Dinah!
1974
as Self
The Sarah Silverman Program.
2007
as Carl
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 (67)
Rush Hour
1998
as Taxi Driver
Batman & Robin
1997
as Arkham Asylum Property Room Guard
Spider-Man 2
2004
as Train Passenger (uncredited)
Men in Black II
2002
as Subway Passenger (uncredited)
Airplane!
1980
as Religious Zealot (uncredited)
Raging Bull
1980
as Ring Announcer (Reeves Fight)
Rat Race
2001
as Veteran with Gun
Flesh & Blood
1979
as 2nd Fat Guy
The Golden Child
1986
as Drunken Biker (uncredited)
Cellular
2004
as Driving Instructor (uncredited)
Man on the Moon
1999
as Foxy Jackson Referee
Jackass: The Movie
2002
as Self
Ed Wood
1994
as Ring Announcer
The Jerk
1979
as Con Man
Every Which Way but Loose
1978
as Biker
Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid
1982
as Hood
Jury Duty
1995
as Security Guard (uncredited)
Death Wish 4: The Crackdown
1987
as Cannery Guard
Rapid Fire
1992
as Red Haired Serrano Gunman (uncredited)
Walking Tall
1973
as 2nd Bouncer
Micki & Maude
1984
as Wrestling Referee
Kickboxer 2: The Road Back
1991
as Referee
Dead Heat
1988
Blue Hawaii
1961
as (uncredited)
Redbelt
2008
as Old Stuntman
The Big Brawl
1980
as Stroke
Bottoms Up
2006
as Milt
Blacula
1972
as Second Dracula Henchman
Loose Cannons
1990
as Grimmer's Man
Cleopatra Jones
1973
as Mommy's Henchman (uncredited)
3 Ninjas Knuckle Up
1995
as Red-Haired Waste Plant Worker Punching Rocky (uncredited)
Eyes of an Angel
1991
as Pit Bull Handler
Double Tap
1997
as Wallace
The Bad News Bears Go to Japan
1978
as Mean Bones' Manager
On the Edge of Innocence
1997
as Security Guard
Running Red
1999
as Mercier's Bodyguard
Hard Time
1998
as Eddie
I Am Bruce Lee
2012
as Self
Alligator 2: The Mutation
1991
as Referee
Number One with a Bullet
1987
as Referee
The One and Only
1978
as Reigning World Wrestling Champion (uncredited)
Americathon
1979
as Referee
Smokey Bites the Dust
1981
as Turk
Almost Summer
1978
as Football Coach
Heartbeeps
1981
as Forklift Driver Robot
Black Samson
1974
as Nappa's Gang
Foolin' Around
1980
as Paul
Shaughnessy: The Iron Marshal
1996
as NYC bouncer
Melinda
1972
as Hood
Bloodfist IV: Die Trying
1992
as Burly
I Wanna Hold Your Hand
1978
as Theatre Cop: Reese
Welcome to 18
1986
as Motorcycle Cop
Going Ape!
1981
as Faraday
The Ronda Rousey Story: Through My Father's Eyes
2019
as Self
Paradise, Hawaiian Style
1966
Slaughter's Big Rip-Off
1973
as Leo (uncredited)
Bad Guys
1986
as Terrible Turk Mc Gurk
Fury of the Fist and the Golden Fleece
2018
as The Boss
The Challenge
1970
as Karate Instructor
Marciano
1979
as Ring Announcer
M.A.N.T.I.S.
1994
as Rioter (uncredited)
From Mexico With Love
2009
as Referee
Hammer
1972
as Referee
Ring of Steel
1994
as MiB Bodyguard
Goldie and the Boxer
1979
as Vinnie
No Way Back
1976
The Search for Count Dante
2020
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 97 credits spanning from 1961 to 2020, Gene LeBell has appeared in 67 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
- Batman & Robin (1997) — as Arkham Asylum Property Room Guard
- Spider-Man 2 (2004) — as Train Passenger (uncredited)
- Men in Black II (2002) — as Subway Passenger (uncredited)
- Airplane! (1980) — as Religious Zealot (uncredited)
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.