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Person
Gene LeBell
Actor · Crew· Los Angeles, California, USA
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
The roles that explain the career.
Filmography
37 credits across 2 departments.
| Year | Title | Role | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | I Am Bruce Lee | Self | Film |
| 2009 | From Mexico With Love | Referee | Film |
| 1999 | Running Red | Mercier's Bodyguard | Film |
| 1998 | Rush Hour | Taxi Driver | Film |
| 1998 | Hard Time | Eddie | Film |
| 1997 | On the Edge of Innocence | Security Guard | Film |
| 1997 | Double Tap | Wallace | Film |
| 1996 | Shaughnessy: The Iron Marshal | NYC bouncer | Film |
| 1995 | 3 Ninjas Knuckle Up | Red-Haired Waste Plant Worker Punching Rocky (uncredited) | Film |
| 1994 | Ring of Steel | MiB Bodyguard | Film |
| 1992 | Bloodfist IV: Die Trying | Burly | Film |
| 1991 | Eyes of an Angel | Pit Bull Handler | Film |
| 1991 | Kickboxer 2: The Road Back | Referee | Film |
| 1986 | Bad Guys | Terrible Turk Mc Gurk | Film |
| 1986 | The Golden Child | Drunken Biker (uncredited) | Film |
| 1986 | Welcome to 18 | Motorcycle Cop | Film |
| 1984 | Micki & Maude | Wrestling Referee | Film |
| 1982 | Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid | Hood | Film |
| 1981 | Smokey Bites the Dust | Turk | Film |
| 1981 | Going Ape! | Faraday | Film |
| 1981 | Heartbeeps | Forklift Driver Robot | Film |
| 1980 | Foolin' Around | Paul | Film |
| 1980 | The Big Brawl | Stroke | Film |
| 1980 | Raging Bull | Ring Announcer (Reeves Fight) | Film |
| 1979 | The Jerk | Con Man | Film |
| 1978 | The Bad News Bears Go to Japan | Mean Bones' Manager | Film |
| 1978 | The One and Only | Reigning World Wrestling Champion (uncredited) | Film |
| 1978 | I Wanna Hold Your Hand | Theatre Cop: Reese | Film |
| 1976 | No Way Back | Film | |
| 1974 | Black Samson | Nappa's Gang | Film |
| 1973 | Slaughter's Big Rip-Off | Leo (uncredited) | Film |
| 1972 | Hammer | Referee | Film |
| 1972 | Melinda | Hood | Film |
| 1972 | Blacula | Second Dracula Henchman | Film |
| 1970 | The Challenge | Karate Instructor | Film |
| 1966 | Paradise, Hawaiian Style | Film | |
| 1961 | Blue Hawaii | (uncredited) | Film |
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