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