Gene LeBell
AKA: Gene Le Bell
Birthday: 1932-10-09
Died: 2022-08-09
Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, USA
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.
Filmography
Character: Mean Bones' Manager
Character: Pit Bull Handler
Character: Mercier's Bodyguard
Character: Mommy's Henchman (uncredited)
Character: Forklift Driver Robot
Character: Religious Zealot (uncredited)
Character: Arkham Asylum Property Room Guard
Character: Red-Haired Waste Plant Worker Punching Rocky (uncredited)
Character: Wrestling Referee
Character: Foxy Jackson Referee
Character: Ring Announcer
Character: Ring Announcer
Character: Terrible Turk Mc Gurk
Character: Ring Announcer (Reeves Fight)
Character: Train Passenger (uncredited)
Character: Security Guard (uncredited)
Character: Red Haired Serrano Gunman (uncredited)
Character: Subway Passenger (uncredited)
Character: Drunken Biker (uncredited)
Character: Theatre Cop: Reese
Character: Leo (uncredited)
Character: Reigning World Wrestling Champion (uncredited)
Character: Football Coach
Character: Nappa's Gang (as Gene LaBell)
Character: Karate Instructor
Character: Driving Instructor (uncredited)
Character: Rioter (uncredited)
Character: Second Dracula Henchman
Character: Motorcycle Cop
