Gene LeBell
Born October 09, 1932 (Age: 93)
•
Los Angeles, California, USA
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.
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.
Read more
Filmography
Cellular
2004
•
as Driving Instructor (uncredited)
•
Age: 71
Spider-Man 2
2004
•
as Train Passenger (uncredited)
•
Age: 71
Jackass: The Movie
2002
•
as Self
•
Age: 70
Men in Black II
2002
•
as Subway Passenger (uncredited)
•
Age: 69
Rat Race
2001
•
as Veteran with Gun
•
Age: 68
Man on the Moon
1999
•
as Foxy Jackson Referee
•
Age: 67
Rush Hour
1998
•
as Taxi Driver
•
Age: 65
Batman & Robin
1997
•
as Arkham Asylum Property Room Guard
•
Age: 64
Jury Duty
1995
•
as Security Guard (uncredited)
•
Age: 62
3 Ninjas Knuckle Up
1995
•
as Red-Haired Waste Plant Worker Punching Rocky (uncredited)
•
Age: 62
Ed Wood
1994
•
as Ring Announcer
•
Age: 61
Rapid Fire
1992
•
as Red Haired Serrano Gunman (uncredited)
•
Age: 59
Kickboxer 2: The Road Back
1991
•
as Referee
•
Age: 58
Loose Cannons
1990
•
as Grimmer's Man
•
Age: 57
Dead Heat
1988
•
as
•
Age: 55
Death Wish 4: The Crackdown
1987
•
as Cannery Guard
•
Age: 54
The Golden Child
1986
•
as Drunken Biker (uncredited)
•
Age: 54
Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid
1982
•
as Hood
•
Age: 49
Heartbeeps
1981
•
as Forklift Driver Robot
•
Age: 49
The Big Brawl
1980
•
as Stroke
•
Age: 47
Airplane!
1980
•
as Religious Zealot (uncredited)
•
Age: 47
The Jerk
1979
•
as Con Man
•
Age: 47
Flesh & Blood
1979
•
as 2nd Fat Guy
•
Age: 47
Every Which Way but Loose
1978
•
as Biker
•
Age: 46
The Bad News Bears Go to Japan
1978
•
as Mean Bones' Manager
•
Age: 45
The One and Only
1978
•
as Reigning World Wrestling Champion (uncredited)
•
Age: 45
Walking Tall
1973
•
as 2nd Bouncer
•
Age: 40
Paradise, Hawaiian Style
1966
•
as
•
Age: 33
Blue Hawaii
1961
•
as (uncredited)
•
Age: 29