Gene LeBell
Born October 09, 1932 (Age: 93)
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Los Angeles, California, USA
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.
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.
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Filmography
No Image
The Search for Count Dante
2020
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as
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Age: 87
Cellular
2004
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as Driving Instructor (uncredited)
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Age: 71
Spider-Man 2
2004
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as Train Passenger (uncredited)
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Age: 71
Jackass: The Movie
2002
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as Self
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Age: 70
Men in Black II
2002
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as Subway Passenger (uncredited)
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Age: 69
Rat Race
2001
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as Veteran with Gun
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Age: 68
Man on the Moon
1999
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as Foxy Jackson Referee
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Age: 67
Hard Time
1998
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as Eddie
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Age: 66
Rush Hour
1998
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as Taxi Driver
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Age: 65
Double Tap
1997
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as Wallace
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Age: 64
Batman & Robin
1997
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as Arkham Asylum Property Room Guard
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Age: 64
On the Edge of Innocence
1997
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as Security Guard
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Age: 64
Shaughnessy: The Iron Marshal
1996
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as NYC bouncer
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Age: 63
Jury Duty
1995
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as Security Guard (uncredited)
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Age: 62
3 Ninjas Knuckle Up
1995
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as Red-Haired Waste Plant Worker Punching Rocky (uncredited)
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Age: 62
Ed Wood
1994
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as Ring Announcer
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Age: 61
M.A.N.T.I.S.
1994
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as Rioter (uncredited)
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Age: 61
Bloodfist IV: Die Trying
1992
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as Burly
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Age: 60
Rapid Fire
1992
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as Red Haired Serrano Gunman (uncredited)
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Age: 59
Eyes of an Angel
1991
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as Pit Bull Handler
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Age: 58
Alligator 2: The Mutation
1991
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as Referee
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Age: 58
Kickboxer 2: The Road Back
1991
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as Referee
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Age: 58
Loose Cannons
1990
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as Grimmer's Man
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Age: 57
Dead Heat
1988
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as
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Age: 55
Death Wish 4: The Crackdown
1987
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as Cannery Guard
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Age: 54
Number One with a Bullet
1987
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as Referee
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Age: 54
The Golden Child
1986
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as Drunken Biker (uncredited)
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Age: 54
Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid
1982
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as Hood
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Age: 49
Heartbeeps
1981
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as Forklift Driver Robot
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Age: 49
Smokey Bites the Dust
1981
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as Turk
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Age: 48
Going Ape!
1981
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as Faraday
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Age: 48
Raging Bull
1980
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as Ring Announcer (Reeves Fight)
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Age: 48
Foolin' Around
1980
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as Paul
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Age: 48
The Big Brawl
1980
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as Stroke
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Age: 47
Airplane!
1980
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as Religious Zealot (uncredited)
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Age: 47
The Jerk
1979
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as Con Man
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Age: 47
Flesh & Blood
1979
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as 2nd Fat Guy
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Age: 47
Every Which Way but Loose
1978
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as Biker
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Age: 46
The Bad News Bears Go to Japan
1978
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as Mean Bones' Manager
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Age: 45
Almost Summer
1978
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as Football Coach
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Age: 45
I Wanna Hold Your Hand
1978
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as Theatre Cop: Reese
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Age: 45
The One and Only
1978
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as Reigning World Wrestling Champion (uncredited)
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Age: 45
Black Samson
1974
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as Nappa's Gang
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Age: 41
Slaughter's Big Rip-Off
1973
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as Leo (uncredited)
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Age: 40
Cleopatra Jones
1973
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as Mommy's Henchman (uncredited)
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Age: 40
Walking Tall
1973
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as 2nd Bouncer
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Age: 40
Melinda
1972
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as Hood
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Age: 39
Hammer
1972
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as Referee
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Age: 39
Paradise, Hawaiian Style
1966
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as
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Age: 33
Blue Hawaii
1961
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as (uncredited)
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Age: 29