Gene LeBell

Gene LeBell

Acting

October 9, 1932 — August 9, 2022Los 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

Spider-Man 2

Spider-Man 2

2004

Bruce Almighty

Bruce Almighty

2003

Mr. & Mrs. Smith

Mr. & Mrs. Smith

2005

Men in Black II

Men in Black II

2002

Independence Day

Independence Day

1996

Rocky

Rocky

1976

Total Recall

Total Recall

1990

Die Hard 2

Die Hard 2

1990

Liar Liar

Liar Liar

1997

RoboCop

RoboCop

1987

Acting98

The Search for Count Dante

The Search for Count Dante

2020

The Ronda Rousey Story: Through My Father's Eyes

The Ronda Rousey Story: Through My Father's Eyes

2019

Self

Fury of the Fist and the Golden Fleece

Fury of the Fist and the Golden Fleece

2018

The Boss

I Am Bruce Lee

I Am Bruce Lee

2012

Self

From Mexico With Love

From Mexico With Love

2009

Referee

Blood and Bone

Blood and Bone

2009

Attendant

Redbelt

Redbelt

2008

Old Stuntman

The Sarah Silverman Program.

The Sarah Silverman Program.

2007

Carl

Bottoms Up

Bottoms Up

2006

Milt

Cellular

Cellular

2004

Driving Instructor (uncredited)

Spider-Man 2

Spider-Man 2

2004

Train Passenger (uncredited)

Reno 911!

Reno 911!

2003

Old Man on Scooter / Grandpa

Jackass: The Movie

Jackass: The Movie

2002

Self

Men in Black II

Men in Black II

2002

Subway Passenger (uncredited)

Rat Race

Rat Race

2001

Veteran with Gun

Strong Medicine

Strong Medicine

2000

Referee

Man on the Moon

Man on the Moon

1999

Foxy Jackson Referee

Running Red

Running Red

1999

Mercier's Bodyguard

Hard Time

Hard Time

1998

Eddie

Rush Hour

Rush Hour

1998

Taxi Driver

That '70s Show

That '70s Show

1998

Referee

Double Tap

Double Tap

1997

Wallace

Batman & Robin

Batman & Robin

1997

Arkham Asylum Property Room Guard

On the Edge of Innocence

On the Edge of Innocence

1997

Security Guard

Shaughnessy: The Iron Marshal

Shaughnessy: The Iron Marshal

1996

NYC bouncer

Jury Duty

Jury Duty

1995

Security Guard (uncredited)

3 Ninjas Knuckle Up

3 Ninjas Knuckle Up

1995

Red-Haired Waste Plant Worker Punching Rocky (uncredited)

Ed Wood

Ed Wood

1994

Ring Announcer

Ring of Steel

Ring of Steel

1994

MiB Bodyguard

M.A.N.T.I.S.

M.A.N.T.I.S.

1994

Rioter (uncredited)

The X-Files

The X-Files

1993

Bartender

Bloodfist IV: Die Trying

Bloodfist IV: Die Trying

1992

Burly

Rapid Fire

Rapid Fire

1992

Red Haired Serrano Gunman (uncredited)

The Human Factor

The Human Factor

1992

Referee

Eyes of an Angel

Eyes of an Angel

1991

Pit Bull Handler

Alligator 2: The Mutation

Alligator 2: The Mutation

1991

Referee

Kickboxer 2: The Road Back

Kickboxer 2: The Road Back

1991

Referee

Loose Cannons

Loose Cannons

1990

Grimmer's Man

Family Matters

Family Matters

1989

Referee

Dead Heat

Dead Heat

1988

Death Wish 4: The Crackdown

Death Wish 4: The Crackdown

1987

Cannery Guard

Married... with Children

Married... with Children

1987

Larry / Referee / Black Ben / Brutus

Number One with a Bullet

Number One with a Bullet

1987

Referee

The Golden Child

The Golden Child

1986

Drunken Biker (uncredited)

Sledge Hammer!

Sledge Hammer!

1986

Archbishop

Welcome to 18

Welcome to 18

1986

Motorcycle Cop

Bad Guys

Bad Guys

1986

Terrible Turk Mc Gurk

MacGyver

MacGyver

1985

Murph

Micki & Maude

Micki & Maude

1984

Wrestling Referee

The Master

The Master

1984

Brawler (uncredited)

Knight Rider

Knight Rider

1982

Junior

Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid

Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid

1982

Hood

T. J. Hooker

T. J. Hooker

1982

James Wallace

Heartbeeps

Heartbeeps

1981

Forklift Driver Robot

Falcon Crest

Falcon Crest

1981

Union Guy

Simon & Simon

Simon & Simon

1981

Smokey Bites the Dust

Smokey Bites the Dust

1981

Turk

Going Ape!

Going Ape!

1981

Faraday

Raging Bull

Raging Bull

1980

Ring Announcer (Reeves Fight)

Foolin' Around

Foolin' Around

1980

Paul

The Big Brawl

The Big Brawl

1980

Stroke

Airplane!

Airplane!

1980

Religious Zealot (uncredited)

Goldie and the Boxer

Goldie and the Boxer

1979

Vinnie

The Jerk

The Jerk

1979

Con Man

Marciano

Marciano

1979

Ring Announcer

Flesh & Blood

Flesh & Blood

1979

2nd Fat Guy

Flesh & Blood

Flesh & Blood

1979

2nd Fat Guy

Hart to Hart

Hart to Hart

1979

Heavy #2

Americathon

Americathon

1979

Referee

Every Which Way but Loose

Every Which Way but Loose

1978

Biker

Taxi

Taxi

1978

Referee / The Referee

The Bad News Bears Go to Japan

The Bad News Bears Go to Japan

1978

Mean Bones' Manager

Almost Summer

Almost Summer

1978

Football Coach

I Wanna Hold Your Hand

I Wanna Hold Your Hand

1978

Theatre Cop: Reese

The One and Only

The One and Only

1978

Reigning World Wrestling Champion (uncredited)

Fantasy Island

Fantasy Island

1978

The Referee

The Incredible Hulk

The Incredible Hulk

1977

Quincy, M.E.

Quincy, M.E.

1976

No Way Back

No Way Back

1976

Baretta

Baretta

1975

Dinah!

Dinah!

1974

Self

Black Samson

Black Samson

1974

Nappa's Gang

Slaughter's Big Rip-Off

Slaughter's Big Rip-Off

1973

Leo (uncredited)

Cleopatra Jones

Cleopatra Jones

1973

Mommy's Henchman (uncredited)

Walking Tall

Walking Tall

1973

2nd Bouncer

Blacula

Blacula

1972

Second Dracula Henchman

Melinda

Melinda

1972

Hood

Hammer

Hammer

1972

Referee

The Challenge

The Challenge

1970

Karate Instructor

Land of the Giants

Land of the Giants

1968

Mezron's Brother

Ironside

Ironside

1967

The Green Hornet

The Green Hornet

1966

Barney

Paradise, Hawaiian Style

Paradise, Hawaiian Style

1966

The Wild Wild West

The Wild Wild West

1965

Felix

The Munsters

The Munsters

1964

Tarzan McGirk

Burke's Law

Burke's Law

1963

Wrestler

The Beverly Hillbillies

The Beverly Hillbillies

1962

Blue Hawaii

Blue Hawaii

1961

(uncredited)

Crew136

Reno 911!: Miami

Reno 911!: Miami

2007

Stunts

Smokin' Aces

Smokin' Aces

2006

Stunts

Bottoms Up

Bottoms Up

2006

Stunts

Beerfest

Beerfest

2006

Stunts

Mr. & Mrs. Smith

Mr. & Mrs. Smith

2005

Utility Stunts

Starsky & Hutch

Starsky & Hutch

2004

Stunts

Bruce Almighty

Bruce Almighty

2003

Stunts

Deuces Wild

Deuces Wild

2002

Stunts

The Last Castle

The Last Castle

2001

Stunts

Bandits

Bandits

2001

Stunts

Dude, Where's My Car?

Dude, Where's My Car?

2000

Stunts

The Extreme Adventures of Super Dave

The Extreme Adventures of Super Dave

2000

Stunts

Man on the Moon

Man on the Moon

1999

Stunts

End of Days

End of Days

1999

Utility Stunts

The Hunter's Moon

The Hunter's Moon

1999

Stunts

Mystery Men

Mystery Men

1999

Stunts

Running Red

Running Red

1999

Stunts

U.S. Marshals

U.S. Marshals

1998

Stunts

As Good as It Gets

As Good as It Gets

1997

Stunts

L.A. Confidential

L.A. Confidential

1997

Stunts

Double Tap

Double Tap

1997

Stunts

The Brave

The Brave

1997

Stunts

Bean

Bean

1997

Stunts

Batman & Robin

Batman & Robin

1997

Stunts

Gone Fishin'

Gone Fishin'

1997

Stunts

Trial and Error

Trial and Error

1997

Stunts

Liar Liar

Liar Liar

1997

Stunts

Judge and Jury

Judge and Jury

1997

Stunts

Vegas Vacation

Vegas Vacation

1997

Stunts

Dante's Peak

Dante's Peak

1997

Stunts

Jingle All the Way

Jingle All the Way

1996

Stunts

Independence Day

Independence Day

1996

Stunts

Money Train

Money Train

1995

Stunts

Strange Days

Strange Days

1995

Stunts

Waterworld

Waterworld

1995

Stunts

Jury Duty

Jury Duty

1995

Stunts

3 Ninjas Knuckle Up

3 Ninjas Knuckle Up

1995

Stunts

Steel Frontier

Steel Frontier

1995

Stunts

Ballistic

Ballistic

1995

Stunts

Blown Away

Blown Away

1994

Stunts

Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insult

Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insult

1994

Stunts

C.I.A. II: Target Alexa

C.I.A. II: Target Alexa

1993

Stunts

Conflict of Interest

Conflict of Interest

1993

Stunts

Army of Darkness

Army of Darkness

1992

Stunts

Night and the City

Night and the City

1992

Stunts

Rapid Fire

Rapid Fire

1992

Stunts

Patriot Games

Patriot Games

1992

Stunts

The Last Boy Scout

The Last Boy Scout

1991

Stunts

For the Boys

For the Boys

1991

Stunts

Write to Kill

Write to Kill

1991

Stunts

Trancers II

Trancers II

1991

Stunts

Dutch

Dutch

1991

Stunts

Out for Justice

Out for Justice

1991

Stunts

Hook

Hook

1991

Stunts

Almost an Angel

Almost an Angel

1990

Stunts

Marked for Death

Marked for Death

1990

Stunts

Death Warrant

Death Warrant

1990

Stunts

Men at Work

Men at Work

1990

Stunts

Darkman

Darkman

1990

Stunts

Problem Child

Problem Child

1990

Stunts

Die Hard 2

Die Hard 2

1990

Stunts

RoboCop 2

RoboCop 2

1990

Stunts

Dick Tracy

Dick Tracy

1990

Stunts

Total Recall

Total Recall

1990

Stunts

Hard to Kill

Hard to Kill

1990

Stunts

Internal Affairs

Internal Affairs

1990

Stunts

Tango & Cash

Tango & Cash

1989

Stunts

No Holds Barred

No Holds Barred

1989

Stunts

Fletch Lives

Fletch Lives

1989

Stunts

Mac and Me

Mac and Me

1988

Stunts

Dead Heat

Dead Heat

1988

Stunts

Code Name: Zebra

Code Name: Zebra

1987

Stunts

The Running Man

The Running Man

1987

Stunts

The Lost Boys

The Lost Boys

1987

Stunts

RoboCop

RoboCop

1987

Stunts

Nightforce

Nightforce

1987

Stunts

Blind Date

Blind Date

1987

Stunts

Number One with a Bullet

Number One with a Bullet

1987

Stunts

The Morning After

The Morning After

1986

Stunts

The Golden Child

The Golden Child

1986

Stunts

A Fine Mess

A Fine Mess

1986

Stunts

Eye of the Tiger

Eye of the Tiger

1986

Stunts

Rocky IV

Rocky IV

1985

Stunts

Runaway Train

Runaway Train

1985

Stunts

City Limits

City Limits

1985

Stunts

D.A.R.Y.L.

D.A.R.Y.L.

1985

Stunts

Fletch

Fletch

1985

Stunts

Friday the 13th: A New Beginning

Friday the 13th: A New Beginning

1985

Stunts

Johnny Dangerously

Johnny Dangerously

1984

Stunts

Losin' It

Losin' It

1983

Stunts

Heart Like a Wheel

Heart Like a Wheel

1983

Stunts

They Call Me Bruce?

They Call Me Bruce?

1982

Stunts

The Beastmaster

The Beastmaster

1982

Stunts

White Dog

White Dog

1982

Stunts

Smokey Bites the Dust

Smokey Bites the Dust

1981

Stunts

Inside Moves

Inside Moves

1980

Stunts

Magnum, P.I.

Magnum, P.I.

1980

Stunt Double

Airplane!

Airplane!

1980

Stunts

Bronco Billy

Bronco Billy

1980

Stunts

The Prize Fighter

The Prize Fighter

1979

Stunts

Americathon

Americathon

1979

Stunts

The Fantastic Seven

The Fantastic Seven

1979

Stunts

Every Which Way but Loose

Every Which Way but Loose

1978

Stunts

The Fifth Floor

The Fifth Floor

1978

Stunts

Almost Summer

Almost Summer

1978

Stunts

I Wanna Hold Your Hand

I Wanna Hold Your Hand

1978

Stunts

The One and Only

The One and Only

1978

Stunt Coordinator

Black Sunday

Black Sunday

1977

Stunts

Rocky

Rocky

1976

Stunts

King Kong

King Kong

1976

Stunts

The Big Bus

The Big Bus

1976

Stunts

Let's Do It Again

Let's Do It Again

1975

Stunts

The Day of the Locust

The Day of the Locust

1975

Stunts

Freebie and the Bean

Freebie and the Bean

1974

Stunts

The Towering Inferno

The Towering Inferno

1974

Stunts

Earthquake

Earthquake

1974

Stunts

The Gambler

The Gambler

1974

Stunts

99 and 44/100% Dead

99 and 44/100% Dead

1974

Stunts

Black Samson

Black Samson

1974

Stunts

California Split

California Split

1974

Stunts

Busting

Busting

1974

Stunts

Hell Up In Harlem

Hell Up In Harlem

1973

Stunts

Cleopatra Jones

Cleopatra Jones

1973

Stunts

Walking Tall

Walking Tall

1973

Stunts

Blacula

Blacula

1972

Stunts

Conquest of the Planet of the Apes

Conquest of the Planet of the Apes

1972

Stunts

There Was a Crooked Man...

There Was a Crooked Man...

1970

Stunts

Beneath the Planet of the Apes

Beneath the Planet of the Apes

1970

Stunts

The Split

The Split

1968

Stunts

Don't Just Stand There

Don't Just Stand There

1968

Stunt Coordinator

Planet of the Apes

Planet of the Apes

1968

Stunts

The Happiest Millionaire

The Happiest Millionaire

1967

Stunt Coordinator

What Did You Do in the War, Daddy?

What Did You Do in the War, Daddy?

1966

Stunts

Three on a Couch

Three on a Couch

1966

Stunts

7 Women

7 Women

1965

Stunts

4 for Texas

4 for Texas

1963

Stunts