Gene LeBell

Personal Info

Known For

Acting

Known Credits

96

Gender

Male

Birthday

1932-10-09

Day of death

2022-08-09 (89 years old)

Place of Birth

Los Angeles, California, USA

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

    The X-Files

  • Ironside

    Ironside

  • Married... with Children

    Married... with Children

  • Married... with Children

    Married... with Children

  • Married... with Children

    Married... with Children

  • MacGyver

    MacGyver

  • Quincy, M.E.

    Quincy, M.E.

  • Knight Rider

    Knight Rider

  • The Wild Wild West

    The Wild Wild West

  • That '70s Show

    That '70s Show

  • Falcon Crest

    Falcon Crest

  • The Beverly Hillbillies

    The Beverly Hillbillies

  • T. J. Hooker

    T. J. Hooker

  • Simon & Simon

    Simon & Simon

  • Strong Medicine

    Strong Medicine

  • Reno 911!

    Reno 911!

  • Reno 911!

    Reno 911!

  • Hart to Hart

    Hart to Hart

  • The Incredible Hulk

    The Incredible Hulk

  • Taxi

    Taxi

  • Taxi

    Taxi

  • The Munsters

    The Munsters

  • Dinah!

    Dinah!

  • Burke's Law

    Burke's Law

  • Baretta

    Baretta

  • Rush Hour

    Rush Hour

  • Raging Bull

    Raging Bull

  • Airplane!

    Airplane!

  • Land of the Giants

    Land of the Giants

  • The Sarah Silverman Program.

    The Sarah Silverman Program.

  • The Green Hornet

    The Green Hornet

  • Spider-Man 2

    Spider-Man 2

  • Sledge Hammer!

    Sledge Hammer!

  • Men in Black II

    Men in Black II

  • Batman & Robin

    Batman & Robin

  • Blue Hawaii

    Blue Hawaii

  • Rat Race

    Rat Race

  • Jury Duty

    Jury Duty

  • Bloodfist IV: Die Trying

    Bloodfist IV: Die Trying

  • Alligator 2: The Mutation

    Alligator 2: The Mutation

  • Dead Heat

    Dead Heat

  • Rapid Fire

    Rapid Fire

  • Ed Wood

    Ed Wood

  • The Golden Child

    The Golden Child

  • Walking Tall

    Walking Tall

  • Loose Cannons

    Loose Cannons

  • Redbelt

    Redbelt

  • Paradise, Hawaiian Style

    Paradise, Hawaiian Style

  • The Big Brawl

    The Big Brawl

  • Every Which Way but Loose

    Every Which Way but Loose

  • Number One with a Bullet

    Number One with a Bullet

  • Death Wish 4: The Crackdown

    Death Wish 4: The Crackdown

  • Cellular

    Cellular

  • Man on the Moon

    Man on the Moon

  • Going Ape!

    Going Ape!

  • Fury of the Fist and the Golden Fleece

    Fury of the Fist and the Golden Fleece

  • 3 Ninjas Knuckle Up

    3 Ninjas Knuckle Up

  • I Wanna Hold Your Hand

    I Wanna Hold Your Hand

  • Almost Summer

    Almost Summer

  • The Challenge

    The Challenge

  • The Bad News Bears Go to Japan

    The Bad News Bears Go to Japan

  • Melinda

    Melinda

  • Blacula

    Blacula

  • The Jerk

    The Jerk

  • Jackass: The Movie

    Jackass: The Movie

  • Americathon

    Americathon

  • No Way Back

    No Way Back

  • Double Tap

    Double Tap

  • From Mexico With Love

    From Mexico With Love

  • Bottoms Up

    Bottoms Up

  • Eyes of an Angel

    Eyes of an Angel

  • Heartbeeps

    Heartbeeps

  • Kickboxer 2: The Road Back

    Kickboxer 2: The Road Back

  • The Human Factor

    The Human Factor

  • Micki & Maude

    Micki & Maude

  • Hammer

    Hammer

  • Bad Guys

    Bad Guys

  • Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid

    Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid

  • I Am Bruce Lee

    I Am Bruce Lee

  • Black Samson

    Black Samson

  • Goldie and the Boxer

    Goldie and the Boxer

  • Cleopatra Jones

    Cleopatra Jones

  • Marciano

    Marciano

  • Slaughter's Big Rip-Off

    Slaughter's Big Rip-Off

  • Smokey Bites the Dust

    Smokey Bites the Dust

  • M.A.N.T.I.S.

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

  • Running Red

    Running Red

  • Foolin' Around

    Foolin' Around

  • Flesh & Blood

    Flesh & Blood

  • Welcome to 18

    Welcome to 18

  • The Ronda Rousey Story: Through My Father's Eyes

    The Ronda Rousey Story: Through My Father's Eyes

  • Ring of Steel

    Ring of Steel

  • Hard Time

    Hard Time

  • The Search for Count Dante

    The Search for Count Dante

  • Shaughnessy: The Iron Marshal

    Shaughnessy: The Iron Marshal

  • The One and Only

    The One and Only