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.
Filmography (105)
Blood and Bone
Reno 911!: Miami
Bottoms Up
Smokin' Aces
Beerfest
Mr. & Mrs. Smith
Spider-Man 2
Cellular
Starsky & Hutch
Bruce Almighty
Men in Black II
Deuces Wild
Rat Race
Bandits
The Last Castle
Dude, Where's My Car?
Man on the Moon
Running Red
Mystery Men
End of Days
Rush Hour
U.S. Marshals
Batman & Robin
Liar Liar
L.A. Confidential
Vegas Vacation
As Good as It Gets
Bean
The Brave
Dante's Peak
Independence Day
Jingle All the Way
3 Ninjas Knuckle Up
Strange Days
Waterworld
Money Train
Ed Wood
Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insult
Blown Away
Rapid Fire
Army of Darkness
Patriot Games
Night and the City
Kickboxer 2: The Road Back
Eyes of an Angel
Hook
The Last Boy Scout
For the Boys
Out for Justice
Dutch
Loose Cannons
Total Recall
Die Hard 2
RoboCop 2
Darkman
Dick Tracy
Problem Child
Death Warrant
Marked for Death
Hard to Kill
Internal Affairs
No Holds Barred
Fletch Lives
Tango & Cash
Dead Heat
Mac and Me
Death Wish 4: The Crackdown
The Lost Boys
RoboCop
The Running Man
Blind Date
The Golden Child
Friday the 13th: A New Beginning
Rocky IV
D.A.R.Y.L.
Fletch
Runaway Train
Johnny Dangerously
Losin' It
Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid
White Dog
The Beastmaster
Airplane!
Raging Bull
The Big Brawl
Bronco Billy
The Jerk
Every Which Way but Loose
Black Sunday
Rocky
King Kong
The Day of the Locust
The Towering Inferno
Earthquake
California Split
The Gambler
Busting
Cleopatra Jones
Walking Tall
Blacula
Conquest of the Planet of the Apes
Beneath the Planet of the Apes
Planet of the Apes
The Happiest Millionaire
