Gene LeBell
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.
97 acting credits
Acting · 97
The X-Files
1993
Falcon Crest
1981
Married... with Children
1987
MacGyver
1985
Ironside
1967
Knight Rider
1982
Strong Medicine
2000
Quincy, M.E.
1976
That '70s Show
1998
The Beverly Hillbillies
1962
T. J. Hooker
1982
Family Matters
1989
Simon & Simon
1981
Hart to Hart
1979
Reno 911!
2003
The Incredible Hulk
1977
Taxi
1978
The Wild Wild West
1965
Fantasy Island
1978
Burke's Law
1963
Baretta
1975
The Munsters
1964
Dinah!
1974
Land of the Giants
1968
The Sarah Silverman Program.
2007
Rush Hour
1998
Sledge Hammer!
1986
Spider-Man 2
2004
The Green Hornet
1966
Airplane!
1980
Batman & Robin
1997
Men in Black II
2002
Raging Bull
1980
The Master
1984
Cellular
2004
Rat Race
2001
The Golden Child
1986
Ed Wood
1994
The Jerk
1979
Death Wish 4: The Crackdown
1987
Every Which Way but Loose
1978
Jackass: The Movie
2002
Man on the Moon
1999
Eyes of an Angel
1991
Flesh & Blood
1979
Walking Tall
1973
Dead Heat
1988
Kickboxer 2: The Road Back
1991
Rapid Fire
1992
Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid
1982
The Human Factor
1992
3 Ninjas Knuckle Up
1995
Redbelt
2008
The Big Brawl
1980
Double Tap
1997
Micki & Maude
1984
Cleopatra Jones
1973
The Bad News Bears Go to Japan
1978
Blue Hawaii
1961
Jury Duty
1995
On the Edge of Innocence
1997
Loose Cannons
1990
I Am Bruce Lee
2012
Blacula
1972
Alligator 2: The Mutation
1991
Fury of the Fist and the Golden Fleece
2018
Running Red
1999
Heartbeeps
1981
Bottoms Up
2006
I Wanna Hold Your Hand
1978
Americathon
1979
Paradise, Hawaiian Style
1966
Slaughter's Big Rip-Off
1973
Flesh & Blood
1979
The Ronda Rousey Story: Through My Father's Eyes
2019
M.A.N.T.I.S.
1994
Hammer
1972
The One and Only
1978
Hard Time
1998
Number One with a Bullet
1987
Shaughnessy: The Iron Marshal
1996
Melinda
1972
Bad Guys
1986
Smokey Bites the Dust
1981
Going Ape!
1981
Black Samson
1974
Goldie and the Boxer
1979
Bloodfist IV: Die Trying
1992
The Challenge
1970
Ring of Steel
1994
Foolin' Around
1980
Marciano
1979
Welcome to 18
1986
Almost Summer
1978
From Mexico With Love
2009
The Search for Count Dante
2020
No Way Back
1976