Gene LeBell
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.
Also Known As
Movie Appearances
Jackass: The Movie
as Self
2002
Loose Cannons
as Grimmer's Man
1990
Smokey Bites the Dust
as Turk
1981
Shaughnessy: The Iron Marshal
as NYC bouncer
1996
The Bad News Bears Go to Japan
as Mean Bones' Manager
1978
Eyes of an Angel
as Pit Bull Handler
1991
From Mexico With Love
as Referee
2009
Running Red
as Mercier's Bodyguard
1999
Cleopatra Jones
as Mommy's Henchman (uncredited)
1973
Hard Time
as Eddie
1998
Ring of Steel
as MiB Bodyguard
1994
Walking Tall
as 2nd Bouncer
1973
Heartbeeps
as Forklift Driver Robot
1981
No Way Back
1976
Dead Heat
1988
Airplane!
as Religious Zealot (uncredited)
1980
Death Wish 4: The Crackdown
as Cannery Guard
1987
Paradise, Hawaiian Style
1966
Batman & Robin
as Arkham Asylum Property Room Guard
1997
3 Ninjas Knuckle Up
as Red-Haired Waste Plant Worker Punching Rocky (uncredited)
1995
