Gene LeBell
AKA: Gene Le Bell
Birthday: 1932-10-09
Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, USA
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 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.
Filmography
Character: Pit Bull Handler
Character: Ring Announcer (uncredited)
Character: Red Haired Serrano Gunman (uncredited)
Character: Subway Passenger (uncredited)
Character: Veteran with Gun
Character: Drunken Biker (uncredited)
Character: Stroke (as Gene La Bell)
Character: Leo (uncredited)
Character: Nappa's Gang (as Gene LaBell)
Character: Theatre Cop: Reese
Character: Reigning World Wrestling Champion (uncredited)
Character: Football Coach
Character: Karate Instructor
Character: Driving Instructor (uncredited)
Character: Mommy's Henchman (uncredited)
Character: Red-Haired Waste Plant Worker Punching Rocky (uncredited)
Character: Referee (uncredited)
Character: Arkham Asylum Property Room Guard
Character: Wrestling Referee
Character: Foxy Jackson Referee
Character: Ring Announcer
Character: Terrible Turk Mc Gurk
Character: Ring Announcer (Reeves Fight)
Character: Mean Bones' Manager
Character: Mercier's Bodyguard
Character: Forklift Driver Robot
Character: Religious Zealot (uncredited)
