Gene LeBell
Born: 1932-10-09
Place of Birth: 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.
Known For
Cellular
Rush Hour
Airplane!
The Ronda Rousey Story: Through My Father's Eyes
Men in Black II
Batman & Robin
Spider-Man 2
The One and Only
Rat Race
Raging Bull
Bottoms Up
Jury Duty
Almost Summer
Rapid Fire
Double Tap
Jackass: The Movie
The Big Brawl
Dead Heat
The Golden Child
Walking Tall
Every Which Way but Loose
Ed Wood
Blacula
Man on the Moon
Redbelt
Melinda
Going Ape!
Heartbeeps
Micki & Maude
Marciano
Hammer
Americathon
Eyes of an Angel
Death Wish 4: The Crackdown
Kickboxer 2: The Road Back
Bloodfist IV: Die Trying
The Jerk
Foolin' Around
Blue Hawaii
3 Ninjas Knuckle Up
Number One with a Bullet
I Am Bruce Lee
Flesh & Blood
Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid
Running Red
M.A.N.T.I.S.
The Bad News Bears Go to Japan
Loose Cannons
Alligator 2: The Mutation
Paradise, Hawaiian Style
I Wanna Hold Your Hand
Shaughnessy: The Iron Marshal
Cleopatra Jones
Hard Time
Black Samson
Smokey Bites the Dust
Welcome to 18
From Mexico With Love
Fury of the Fist and the Golden Fleece
The Challenge
On the Edge of Innocence
Goldie and the Boxer
No Way Back
Slaughter's Big Rip-Off
Bad Guys
