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.

Known For

The X-Files

Knight Rider

Married... with Children

Married... with Children

Married... with Children

Married... with Children

Falcon Crest

MacGyver

All Movies (68)

• The Search for Count Dante2020
• The Ronda Rousey Story: Through My Father's Eyes2019 · as Self
• Fury of the Fist and the Golden Fleece2018 · as The Boss
• I Am Bruce Lee2012 · as Self
• From Mexico With Love2009 · as Referee
• Blood and Bone2009 · as Attendant
• Redbelt2008 · as Old Stuntman
• Bottoms Up2006 · as Milt
• Cellular2004 · as Driving Instructor (uncredited)
• Spider-Man 22004 · as Train Passenger (uncredited)
• Jackass: The Movie2002 · as Self
• Men in Black II2002 · as Subway Passenger (uncredited)
• Rat Race2001 · as Veteran with Gun
• Man on the Moon1999 · as Foxy Jackson Referee
• Running Red1999 · as Mercier's Bodyguard
• Hard Time1998 · as Eddie
• Rush Hour1998 · as Taxi Driver
• Double Tap1997 · as Wallace
• Batman & Robin1997 · as Arkham Asylum Property Room Guard
• On the Edge of Innocence1997 · as Security Guard
• Shaughnessy: The Iron Marshal1996 · as NYC bouncer
• Jury Duty1995 · as Security Guard (uncredited)
• 3 Ninjas Knuckle Up1995 · as Red-Haired Waste Plant Worker Punching Rocky (uncredited)
• Ed Wood1994 · as Ring Announcer
• Ring of Steel1994 · as MiB Bodyguard
• M.A.N.T.I.S.1994 · as Rioter (uncredited)
• Bloodfist IV: Die Trying1992 · as Burly
• Rapid Fire1992 · as Red Haired Serrano Gunman (uncredited)
• Eyes of an Angel1991 · as Pit Bull Handler
• Alligator 2: The Mutation1991 · as Referee
• Kickboxer 2: The Road Back1991 · as Referee
• Loose Cannons1990 · as Grimmer's Man
• Dead Heat1988
• Death Wish 4: The Crackdown1987 · as Cannery Guard
• Number One with a Bullet1987 · as Referee
• The Golden Child1986 · as Drunken Biker (uncredited)
• Welcome to 181986 · as Motorcycle Cop
• Bad Guys1986 · as Terrible Turk Mc Gurk
• Micki & Maude1984 · as Wrestling Referee
• Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid1982 · as Hood
• Heartbeeps1981 · as Forklift Driver Robot
• Smokey Bites the Dust1981 · as Turk
• Going Ape!1981 · as Faraday
• Raging Bull1980 · as Ring Announcer (Reeves Fight)
• Foolin' Around1980 · as Paul
• The Big Brawl1980 · as Stroke
• Airplane!1980 · as Religious Zealot (uncredited)
• Goldie and the Boxer1979 · as Vinnie
• The Jerk1979 · as Con Man
• Marciano1979 · as Ring Announcer
• Flesh & Blood1979 · as 2nd Fat Guy
• Americathon1979 · as Referee
• Every Which Way but Loose1978 · as Biker
• The Bad News Bears Go to Japan1978 · as Mean Bones' Manager
• Almost Summer1978 · as Football Coach
• I Wanna Hold Your Hand1978 · as Theatre Cop: Reese
• The One and Only1978 · as Reigning World Wrestling Champion (uncredited)
• No Way Back1976
• Black Samson1974 · as Nappa's Gang
• Slaughter's Big Rip-Off1973 · as Leo (uncredited)
• Cleopatra Jones1973 · as Mommy's Henchman (uncredited)
• Walking Tall1973 · as 2nd Bouncer
• Blacula1972 · as Second Dracula Henchman
• Melinda1972 · as Hood
• Hammer1972 · as Referee
• The Challenge1970 · as Karate Instructor
• Paradise, Hawaiian Style1966
• Blue Hawaii1961 · as (uncredited)

All TV Shows (35)

• The Sarah Silverman Program.2007 · as Carl
• Reno 911!2003 · as Old Man on Scooter
• Reno 911!2003 · as Grandpa
• Strong Medicine2000 · as Referee
• That '70s Show1998 · as Referee
• The X-Files1993 · as Bartender
• The Human Factor1992 · as Referee
• Family Matters1989 · as Referee
• Married... with Children1987 · as Larry
• Married... with Children1987 · as Referee
• Married... with Children1987 · as Black Ben
• Married... with Children1987 · as Brutus
• Sledge Hammer!1986 · as Archbishop
• MacGyver1985 · as Murph
• The Master1984 · as Brawler (uncredited)
• Knight Rider1982 · as Junior
• T. J. Hooker1982 · as James Wallace
• Falcon Crest1981 · as Union Guy
• Simon & Simon1981
• Flesh & Blood1979 · as 2nd Fat Guy
• Hart to Hart1979 · as Heavy #2
• Taxi1978 · as Referee
• Taxi1978 · as The Referee
• Fantasy Island1978 · as The Referee
• The Incredible Hulk1977
• Quincy, M.E.1976
• Baretta1975
• Dinah!1974 · as Self
• Land of the Giants1968 · as Mezron's Brother
• Ironside1967
• The Green Hornet1966 · as Barney
• The Wild Wild West1965 · as Felix
• The Munsters1964 · as Tarzan McGirk
• Burke's Law1963 · as Wrestler
• The Beverly Hillbillies1962