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 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.

Cast

Jackass: The Movie

Smokey Bites the Dust

Shaughnessy: The Iron Marshal

The Bad News Bears Go to Japan

Mean Bones' Manager

Eyes of an Angel

Pit Bull Handler

From Mexico With Love

Mercier's Bodyguard

Cleopatra Jones

Mommy's Henchman (uncredited)

Forklift Driver Robot

Religious Zealot (uncredited)

Death Wish 4: The Crackdown

Paradise, Hawaiian Style

Arkham Asylum Property Room Guard

3 Ninjas Knuckle Up

Red-Haired Waste Plant Worker Punching Rocky (uncredited)

Wrestling Referee

Man on the Moon

Foxy Jackson Referee

Goldie and the Boxer

Terrible Turk Mc Gurk

Ring Announcer (Reeves Fight)

Train Passenger (uncredited)

The Search for Count Dante

Bloodfist IV: Die Trying

Security Guard (uncredited)

The Ronda Rousey Story: Through My Father's Eyes

Number One with a Bullet

Red Haired Serrano Gunman (uncredited)

Fury of the Fist and the Golden Fleece

Every Which Way but Loose

Men in Black II

Subway Passenger (uncredited)

Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid

The Golden Child

Drunken Biker (uncredited)

Slaughter's Big Rip-Off

Leo (uncredited)

I Wanna Hold Your Hand

Theatre Cop: Reese

The One and Only

Reigning World Wrestling Champion (uncredited)

Nappa's Gang (as Gene LaBell)

Kickboxer 2: The Road Back

Karate Instructor

Driving Instructor (uncredited)

Alligator 2: The Mutation

Rioter (uncredited)

Second Dracula Henchman

Veteran with Gun

On the Edge of Innocence

Crew

The Prize Fighter

L.A. Confidential

Mr. & Mrs. Smith

The Last Castle

3 Ninjas Knuckle Up

99 and 44/100% Dead

Planet of the Apes

Beneath the Planet of the Apes

The Towering Inferno

C.I.A. II: Target Alexa

Cleopatra Jones

Conquest of the Planet of the Apes

The Fantastic Seven

Every Which Way but Loose

The Happiest Millionaire

Stunt Coordinator

The Beastmaster

Internal Affairs

Friday the 13th: A New Beginning

Night and the City

Jingle All the Way

There Was a Crooked Man...

The Golden Child

Eye of the Tiger

Three on a Couch

Don't Just Stand There

Stunt Coordinator

Dude, Where's My Car?

Out for Justice

Starsky & Hutch

Let's Do It Again

Marked for Death

What Did You Do in the War, Daddy?

The Day of the Locust

Hell Up In Harlem

The One and Only

Stunt Coordinator

No Holds Barred

The Last Boy Scout

They Call Me Bruce?

The Morning After

Trancers II: The Return of Jack Deth

Almost an Angel

Freebie and the Bean

I Wanna Hold Your Hand

The Fifth Floor

Smokey Bites the Dust

As Good as It Gets

Heart Like a Wheel

The Running Man

Trial and Error

Number One with a Bullet

Conflict of Interest

Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insult

The Hunter's Moon

Independence Day

Johnny Dangerously

Man on the Moon

Reno 911!: Miami

Code Name: Zebra

The Extreme Adventures of Super Dave

California Split

Army of Darkness