Menu
Gene LeBell

Gene LeBell

Known For Acting
Birthday Oct 09, 1932
Died Aug 09, 2022 (89)
Birthplace Los Angeles, California, USA
Popularity 1 (history)
Updated Aug 10, 2025
Entry Date Apr 15, 2024
Links TMDb IMDb
Biography

Ivan Gene LeBell (born October 9, 1932) 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 mart ... ial 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

Filmography

From Mexico With Love

From Mexico With Love

2009

as Referee

Redbelt

Redbelt

2008

as Old Stuntman

Cellular

Cellular

2004

as Driving Instructor (uncredited)

Spider-Man 2

Spider-Man 2

2004

as Train Passenger (uncredited)

Men in Black II

Men in Black II

2002

as Subway Passenger (uncredited)

Rat Race

Rat Race

2001

as Veteran with Gun

Running Red

Running Red

1999

as Mercier's Bodyguard

Man on the Moon

Man on the Moon

1999

as Foxy Jackson Referee

Hard Time

Hard Time

1998

as Eddie

Rush Hour

Rush Hour

1998

as Taxi Driver

Double Tap

Double Tap

1997

as Wallace

Batman & Robin

Batman & Robin

1997

as Arkham Asylum Property Room Guard

Shaughnessy: The Iron Marshal

Shaughnessy: The Iron Marshal

1996

as NYC bouncer

3 Ninjas Knuckle Up

3 Ninjas Knuckle Up

1995

as Red-Haired Waste Plant Worker Punching Rocky (uncredited)

Jury Duty

Jury Duty

1995

as Security Guard (uncredited)

Ring of Steel

Ring of Steel

1994

as MiB Bodyguard

Ed Wood

Ed Wood

1994

as Ring Announcer (uncredited)

Bloodfist IV: Die Trying

Bloodfist IV: Die Trying

1992

as Burly

Rapid Fire

Rapid Fire

1992

as Red Haired Serrano Gunman (uncredited)

Eyes of an Angel

Eyes of an Angel

1991

as Pit Bull Handler

Kickboxer 2: The Road Back

Kickboxer 2: The Road Back

1991

as Referee

Alligator 2: The Mutation

Alligator 2: The Mutation

1991

as Referee

Loose Cannons

Loose Cannons

1990

as Grimmer's Man

Number One with a Bullet

Number One with a Bullet

1987

as Referee

Death Wish 4: The Crackdown

Death Wish 4: The Crackdown

1987

as Cannery Guard

The Golden Child

The Golden Child

1986

as Drunken Biker (uncredited)

Bad Guys

Bad Guys

1986

as Terrible Turk Mc Gurk

Welcome to 18

Welcome to 18

1986

as Motorcycle Cop

Micki + Maude

Micki + Maude

1984

as Wrestling Referee

Going Ape!

Going Ape!

1981

as Faraday

Heartbeeps

Heartbeeps

1981

as Forklift Driver Robot

Smokey Bites the Dust

Smokey Bites the Dust

1981

as Turk

The Big Brawl

The Big Brawl

1980

as Stroke (as Gene La Bell)

Raging Bull

Raging Bull

1980

as Ring Announcer (Reeves Fight)

Airplane!

Airplane!

1980

as Religious Zealot (uncredited)

The Jerk

The Jerk

1979

as Con Man

Goldie and the Boxer

Goldie and the Boxer

1979

as Vinnie

Flesh & Blood

Flesh & Blood

1979

as 2nd Fat Guy

Marciano

Marciano

1979

as Ring Announcer

Almost Summer

Almost Summer

1978

as Football Coach

I Wanna Hold Your Hand

I Wanna Hold Your Hand

1978

as Theatre Cop: Reese

The One and Only

The One and Only

1978

as Reigning World Wrestling Champion (uncredited)

The Bad News Bears Go to Japan

The Bad News Bears Go to Japan

1978

as Mean Bones' Manager

Black Samson

Black Samson

1974

as Nappa's Gang (as Gene LaBell)

Slaughter's Big Rip-Off

Slaughter's Big Rip-Off

1973

as Leo (uncredited)

Walking Tall

Walking Tall

1973

as 2nd Bouncer

Cleopatra Jones

Cleopatra Jones

1973

as Mommy's Henchman (uncredited)

Hammer

Hammer

1972

as Referee

Melinda

Melinda

1972

as Hood

The Challenge

The Challenge

1970

as Karate Instructor

Blue Hawaii

Blue Hawaii

1961

as (uncredited)

Reno 911!: Miami

Reno 911!: Miami

2007

Stunts

Smokin' Aces

Smokin' Aces

2006

Stunts

Bottoms Up

Bottoms Up

2006

Stunts

Beerfest

Beerfest

2006

Stunts

Mr. & Mrs. Smith

Mr. & Mrs. Smith

2005

Utility Stunts

Starsky & Hutch

Starsky & Hutch

2004

Stunts

Bruce Almighty

Bruce Almighty

2003

Stunts

Deuces Wild

Deuces Wild

2002

Stunts

The Last Castle

The Last Castle

2001

Stunts

Bandits

Bandits

2001

Stunts

Dude, Where's My Car?

Dude, Where's My Car?

2000

Stunts

Running Red

Running Red

1999

Stunts

The Hunter's Moon

The Hunter's Moon

1999

Stunts

End of Days

End of Days

1999

Utility Stunts

Man on the Moon

Man on the Moon

1999

Stunts

Mystery Men

Mystery Men

1999

Stunts

U.S. Marshals

U.S. Marshals

1998

Stunts

Dante's Peak

Dante's Peak

1997

Stunts

Trial and Error

Trial and Error

1997

Stunts

Double Tap

Double Tap

1997

Stunts

Batman & Robin

Batman & Robin

1997

Stunts

Bean

Bean

1997

Stunts

Judge and Jury

Judge and Jury

1997

Stunts

The Brave

The Brave

1997

Stunts

L.A. Confidential

L.A. Confidential

1997

Stunts

Liar Liar

Liar Liar

1997

Stunts

Vegas Vacation

Vegas Vacation

1997

Stunts

As Good as It Gets

As Good as It Gets

1997

Stunts

Gone Fishin'

Gone Fishin'

1997

Stunts

Independence Day

Independence Day

1996

Stunts

Jingle All the Way

Jingle All the Way

1996

Stunts

Waterworld

Waterworld

1995

Stunts

Jury Duty

Jury Duty

1995

Stunts

Strange Days

Strange Days

1995

Stunts

3 Ninjas Knuckle Up

3 Ninjas Knuckle Up

1995

Stunts

Steel Frontier

Steel Frontier

1995

Stunts

Money Train

Money Train

1995

Stunts

Ballistic

Ballistic

1995

Stunts

Blown Away

Blown Away

1994

Stunts

CIA II: Target Alexa

CIA II: Target Alexa

1993

Stunts

Conflict of Interest

Conflict of Interest

1993

Stunts

Army of Darkness

Army of Darkness

1992

Stunts

Patriot Games

Patriot Games

1992

Stunts

Rapid Fire

Rapid Fire

1992

Stunts

Night and the City

Night and the City

1992

Stunts

Hook

Hook

1991

Stunts

Dutch

Dutch

1991

Stunts

Write to Kill

Write to Kill

1991

Stunts

The Last Boy Scout

The Last Boy Scout

1991

Stunts

Out for Justice

Out for Justice

1991

Stunts

For the Boys

For the Boys

1991

Stunts

Die Hard 2

Die Hard 2

1990

Stunts

Dick Tracy

Dick Tracy

1990

Stunts

RoboCop 2

RoboCop 2

1990

Stunts

Total Recall

Total Recall

1990

Stunts

Hard to Kill

Hard to Kill

1990

Stunts

Almost an Angel

Almost an Angel

1990

Stunts

Death Warrant

Death Warrant

1990

Stunts

Problem Child

Problem Child

1990

Stunts

Darkman

Darkman

1990

Stunts

Internal Affairs

Internal Affairs

1990

Stunts

Marked for Death

Marked for Death

1990

Stunts

Men at Work

Men at Work

1990

Stunts

Tango & Cash

Tango & Cash

1989

Stunts

Fletch Lives

Fletch Lives

1989

Stunts

No Holds Barred

No Holds Barred

1989

Stunts

Dead Heat

Dead Heat

1988

Stunts

Mac and Me

Mac and Me

1988

Stunts

RoboCop

RoboCop

1987

Stunts

The Lost Boys

The Lost Boys

1987

Stunts

Blind Date

Blind Date

1987

Stunts

Nightforce

Nightforce

1987

Stunts

The Running Man

The Running Man

1987

Stunts

Code Name: Zebra

Code Name: Zebra

1987

Stunts

Eye of the Tiger

Eye of the Tiger

1986

Stunts

The Morning After

The Morning After

1986

Stunts

The Golden Child

The Golden Child

1986

Stunts

A Fine Mess

A Fine Mess

1986

Stunts

Rocky IV

Rocky IV

1985

Stunts

Runaway Train

Runaway Train

1985

Stunts

D.A.R.Y.L.

D.A.R.Y.L.

1985

Stunts

Fletch

Fletch

1985

Stunts

City Limits

City Limits

1985

Stunts

Johnny Dangerously

Johnny Dangerously

1984

Stunts

Losin' It

Losin' It

1983

Stunts

Heart Like a Wheel

Heart Like a Wheel

1983

Stunts

They Call Me Bruce?

They Call Me Bruce?

1982

Stunts

The Beastmaster

The Beastmaster

1982

Stunts

White Dog

White Dog

1982

Stunts

Smokey Bites the Dust

Smokey Bites the Dust

1981

Stunts

Airplane!

Airplane!

1980

Stunts

Bronco Billy

Bronco Billy

1980

Stunts

Inside Moves

Inside Moves

1980

Stunts

Americathon

Americathon

1979

Stunts

The Prize Fighter

The Prize Fighter

1979

Stunts

The Fantastic Seven

The Fantastic Seven

1979

Stunts

The Fifth Floor

The Fifth Floor

1978

Stunts

Almost Summer

Almost Summer

1978

Stunts

The One and Only

The One and Only

1978

Stunt Coordinator

Black Sunday

Black Sunday

1977

Stunts

Rocky

Rocky

1976

Stunts

The Big Bus

The Big Bus

1976

Stunts

King Kong

King Kong

1976

Stunts

Let's Do It Again

Let's Do It Again

1975

Stunts

The Day of the Locust

The Day of the Locust

1975

Stunts

Freebie and the Bean

Freebie and the Bean

1974

Stunts

Black Samson

Black Samson

1974

Stunts

99 and 44/100% Dead

99 and 44/100% Dead

1974

Stunts

The Towering Inferno

The Towering Inferno

1974

Stunts

California Split

California Split

1974

Stunts

Earthquake

Earthquake

1974

Stunts

The Gambler

The Gambler

1974

Stunts

Busting

Busting

1974

Stunts

Walking Tall

Walking Tall

1973

Stunts

Cleopatra Jones

Cleopatra Jones

1973

Stunts

Hell Up In Harlem

Hell Up In Harlem

1973

Stunts

Blacula

Blacula

1972

Stunts

Planet of the Apes

Planet of the Apes

1968

Stunts

The Split

The Split

1968

Stunts

Don't Just Stand There

Don't Just Stand There

1968

Stunt Coordinator

The Happiest Millionaire

The Happiest Millionaire

1967

Stunt Coordinator

Three on a Couch

Three on a Couch

1966

Stunts

7 Women

7 Women

1965

Stunts

4 for Texas

4 for Texas

1963

Stunts

No data available

No data available

Organization Category Movie
Television Credits

Reno 911!

as Old Man on Scooter

Episodes: 4

First Aired: Jul 23, 2003

Taxi

as Referee

Episodes: 3

First Aired: Sep 12, 1978

That '70s Show

as Referee

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Aug 23, 1998

Falcon Crest

as Union Guy

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Dec 04, 1981

Burke's Law

as Wrestler

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 20, 1963

T. J. Hooker

as James Wallace

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Mar 13, 1982

The Munsters

as Tarzan McGirk

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 24, 1964

Knight Rider

as Junior

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 26, 1982

Land of the Giants

as Mezron's Brother

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 22, 1968

The X-Files

as Bartender

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 10, 1993

Sledge Hammer!

as Archbishop

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 23, 1986

Married... with Children

as Larry

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Apr 05, 1987

Married... with Children

as Referee

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Apr 05, 1987

Married... with Children

as Black Ben

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Apr 05, 1987

Taxi

as The Referee

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 12, 1978

The Human Factor

as Referee

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Apr 16, 1992

The Green Hornet

as Barney

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 09, 1966

MacGyver

as Murph

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 29, 1985

Strong Medicine

as Referee

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Jul 23, 2000

The Sarah Silverman Program.

as Carl

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Feb 01, 2007

Simon & Simon

Episodes: 2

First Aired: Nov 24, 1981

The Beverly Hillbillies

Episodes: 2

First Aired: Sep 26, 1962

The Incredible Hulk

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Nov 04, 1977

Quincy, M.E.

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Oct 03, 1976

Baretta

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Jan 17, 1975

Hart to Hart

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 22, 1979

Ironside

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Mar 28, 1967

Dinah!

as Self

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Oct 21, 1974

Popularity Metrics

Popularity History


Year Month Avg Max Min
2024 6 8 13 5
2024 7 9 13 4
2024 8 9 19 5
2024 9 7 17 2
2024 10 4 9 1
2024 11 3 8 1
2024 12 3 6 1
2025 1 6 16 2
2025 2 4 9 1
2025 3 2 6 1
2025 4 1 1 1
2025 5 2 2 1
2025 6 1 1 1
2025 7 0 0 0
2025 8 2 9 0
2025 9 0 0 0
2025 10 0 1 0

Trending Rank


Year Month Avg Rank Max Rank
No trending metrics available.

Return to Top