Gene LeBell
Acting Born Oct 9, 1932 Died Aug 9, 2022 Los Angeles, California, USA 239 credits
Biography
Ivan Gene LeBell was born on October 9, 1932, in Los Angeles, California, and died on August 9, 2022, at the age of 89. He was an American martial artist, actor, stuntman, stunt coordinator, judoka, and professional wrestler. Nicknamed Judo Gene and The Godfather of Grappling, he was credited with popularizing grappling in professional fighting circles. Throughout his career, LeBell was known for his work in the film industry, with credits including films such as Raging Bull, Spider-Man 2, and Total Recall. The United States Ju-Jitsu Federation promoted him to 9th Dan in jujitsu and taihojutsu in 2000, and to 9th Dan in Traditional Judo in February 2005. Additionally, the World Martial Arts Masters Association promoted him to 10th Degree on August 7, 2004.
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Career overview
Ivan Gene LeBell was an American martial artist, stunt performer, actor, and professional wrestler who was born in Los Angeles, California on October 9, 1932, and died on August 9, 2022, at the age of 89. Known by nicknames including Judo Gene and the Godfather of Grappling, LeBell is credited with popularizing grappling in professional fighting circles. Throughout his career, he worked extensively in the film and television industry, contributing to over 1,000 films and television shows and accumulating 212 known credits in acting on the Movie Database platform. His filmography includes appearances in motion pictures such as Raging Bull, Total Recall, and Spider-Man 2. In addition to his acting and stunt work, LeBell authored 12 books and was recognized by martial arts organizations, receiving promotions including 9th Dan in jujitsu and taihojutsu from the United States Ju-Jitsu Federation in 2000, a 10th Degree promotion from the World Martial Arts Masters Association in 2004, and a 9th Dan in Traditional Judo from the United States Ju-Jitsu Federation in 2005.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
The Search for Count Dante
The Ronda Rousey Story: Through My Father's Eyes
Fury of the Fist and the Golden Fleece
I Am Bruce Lee
Blood and BoneFrom Mexico With Love
Redbelt
The Sarah Silverman ProgramReno 911!: Miami · Stunts
Smokin' Aces · StuntsBeerfest · StuntsBottoms UpBottoms Up · Stunts
Mr. & Mrs. Smith · Utility Stunts
Spider-Man 2Starsky & Hutch · StuntsCellular
Reno 911!Reno 911!Bruce Almighty · Stunts
Men in Black IIJackass: The MovieDeuces Wild · Stunts
Rat RaceThe Last Castle · StuntsBandits · Stunts
Strong MedicineDude, Where's My Car? · StuntsThe Extreme Adventures of Super Dave · Stunts
End of Days · Utility StuntsMystery Men · StuntsMan on the MoonMan on the Moon · StuntsRunning Red
That '70s ShowRush HourU.S. Marshals · StuntsHard Time
Batman & RobinBatman & Robin · StuntsLiar Liar · StuntsL.A. Confidential · StuntsDante's Peak · Stunts
Independence Day · StuntsJingle All the Way · StuntsShaughnessy: The Iron Marshal
Waterworld · StuntsStrange Days · StuntsMoney Train · Stunts3 Ninjas Knuckle Up3 Ninjas Knuckle Up · Stunts
Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insult · StuntsBlown Away · StuntsEd WoodM.A.N.T.I.S.Ring of Steel
The X-FilesC.I.A. II: Target Alexa · StuntsConflict of Interest · Stunts
Army of Darkness · StuntsPatriot Games · StuntsRapid FireRapid Fire · StuntsNight and the City · Stunts
Hook · StuntsThe Last Boy Scout · StuntsOut for Justice · StuntsKickboxer 2: The Road BackTrancers II · Stunts
Die Hard 2 · StuntsTotal Recall · StuntsRoboCop 2 · StuntsDick Tracy · StuntsProblem Child · Stunts
Family MattersTango & Cash · StuntsFletch Lives · StuntsNo Holds Barred · Stunts
Mac and Me · StuntsDead HeatDead Heat · Stunts
Married... with ChildrenMarried... with ChildrenMarried... with ChildrenMarried... with ChildrenRoboCop · Stunts
Sledge Hammer!The Golden ChildThe Golden Child · StuntsA Fine Mess · StuntsThe Morning After · Stunts
MacGyverRocky IV · StuntsRunaway Train · StuntsFriday the 13th: A New Beginning · StuntsFletch · Stunts
The MasterCity HeatJohnny Dangerously · StuntsMicki & Maude
Full Filmography
239 titles- The Search for Count Dante (2020)
- The Ronda Rousey Story: Through My Father's Eyes (2019) as Self
- Fury of the Fist and the Golden Fleece (2018) as The Boss
- I Am Bruce Lee (2012) as Self
- Blood and Bone (2009) as Attendant
- From Mexico With Love (2009) as Referee
- Redbelt (2008) as Old Stuntman
- The Sarah Silverman Program (2007) as Carl
- Reno 911!: Miami (2007) Stunts
- Smokin' Aces (2006) Stunts
- Beerfest (2006) Stunts
- Bottoms Up (2006) as Milt
- Bottoms Up (2006) Stunts
- Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2005) Utility Stunts
- Spider-Man 2 (2004) as Train Passenger (uncredited)
- Starsky & Hutch (2004) Stunts
- Cellular (2004) as Driving Instructor (uncredited)
- Reno 911! (2003) as Old Man on Scooter
- Reno 911! (2003) as Grandpa
- Bruce Almighty (2003) Stunts
- Men in Black II (2002) as Subway Passenger (uncredited)
- Jackass: The Movie (2002) as Self
- Deuces Wild (2002) Stunts
- Rat Race (2001) as Veteran with Gun
- The Last Castle (2001) Stunts
- Bandits (2001) Stunts
- Strong Medicine (2000) as Referee
- Dude, Where's My Car? (2000) Stunts
- The Extreme Adventures of Super Dave (2000) Stunts
- End of Days (1999) Utility Stunts
- Mystery Men (1999) Stunts
- Man on the Moon (1999) as Foxy Jackson Referee
- Man on the Moon (1999) Stunts
- Running Red (1999) as Mercier's Bodyguard
- Running Red (1999) Stunts
- The Hunter's Moon (1999) Stunts
- That '70s Show (1998) as Referee
- Rush Hour (1998) as Taxi Driver
- U.S. Marshals (1998) Stunts
- Hard Time (1998) as Eddie
- Batman & Robin (1997) as Arkham Asylum Property Room Guard
- Batman & Robin (1997) Stunts
- Liar Liar (1997) Stunts
- L.A. Confidential (1997) Stunts
- Dante's Peak (1997) Stunts
- As Good as It Gets (1997) Stunts
- Bean (1997) Stunts
- Vegas Vacation (1997) Stunts
- Gone Fishin' (1997) Stunts
- The Brave (1997) Stunts
- Double Tap (1997) as Wallace
- Double Tap (1997) Stunts
- Trial and Error (1997) Stunts
- On the Edge of Innocence (1997) as Security Guard
- Judge and Jury (1997) Stunts
- Independence Day (1996) Stunts
- Jingle All the Way (1996) Stunts
- Shaughnessy: The Iron Marshal (1996) as NYC bouncer
- Waterworld (1995) Stunts
- Strange Days (1995) Stunts
- Money Train (1995) Stunts
- 3 Ninjas Knuckle Up (1995) as Red-Haired Waste Plant Worker Punching Rocky (uncredited)
- 3 Ninjas Knuckle Up (1995) Stunts
- Jury Duty (1995) as Security Guard (uncredited)
- Jury Duty (1995) Stunts
- Steel Frontier (1995) Stunts
- Ballistic (1995) Stunts
- Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insult (1994) Stunts
- Blown Away (1994) Stunts
- Ed Wood (1994) as Ring Announcer
- M.A.N.T.I.S. (1994) as Rioter (uncredited)
- Ring of Steel (1994) as MiB Bodyguard
- The X-Files (1993) as Bartender
- C.I.A. II: Target Alexa (1993) Stunts
- Conflict of Interest (1993) Stunts
- Army of Darkness (1992) Stunts
- Patriot Games (1992) Stunts
- Rapid Fire (1992) as Red Haired Serrano Gunman (uncredited)
- Rapid Fire (1992) Stunts
- Night and the City (1992) Stunts
- The Human Factor (1992) as Referee
- Bloodfist IV: Die Trying (1992) as Burly
- Hook (1991) Stunts
- The Last Boy Scout (1991) Stunts
- Out for Justice (1991) Stunts
- Kickboxer 2: The Road Back (1991) as Referee
- Trancers II (1991) Stunts
- Dutch (1991) Stunts
- For the Boys (1991) Stunts
- Eyes of an Angel (1991) as Pit Bull Handler
- Alligator 2: The Mutation (1991) as Referee
- Write to Kill (1991) Stunts
- Die Hard 2 (1990) Stunts
- Total Recall (1990) Stunts
- RoboCop 2 (1990) Stunts
- Dick Tracy (1990) Stunts
- Problem Child (1990) Stunts
- Hard to Kill (1990) Stunts
- Darkman (1990) Stunts
- Death Warrant (1990) Stunts
- Marked for Death (1990) Stunts
- Internal Affairs (1990) Stunts
- Men at Work (1990) Stunts
- Loose Cannons (1990) as Grimmer's Man
- Almost an Angel (1990) Stunts
- Family Matters (1989) as Referee
- Tango & Cash (1989) Stunts
- Fletch Lives (1989) Stunts
- No Holds Barred (1989) Stunts
- Mac and Me (1988) Stunts
- Dead Heat (1988)
- Dead Heat (1988) Stunts
- Married... with Children (1987) as Larry
- Married... with Children (1987) as Referee
- Married... with Children (1987) as Black Ben
- Married... with Children (1987) as Brutus
- RoboCop (1987) Stunts
- The Running Man (1987) Stunts
- The Lost Boys (1987) Stunts
- Blind Date (1987) Stunts
- Death Wish 4: The Crackdown (1987) as Cannery Guard
- Nightforce (1987) Stunts
- Number One with a Bullet (1987) as Referee
- Number One with a Bullet (1987) Stunts
- Code Name: Zebra (1987) Stunts
- Sledge Hammer! (1986) as Archbishop
- The Golden Child (1986) as Drunken Biker (uncredited)
- The Golden Child (1986) Stunts
- A Fine Mess (1986) Stunts
- The Morning After (1986) Stunts
- Eye of the Tiger (1986) Stunts
- Bad Guys (1986) as Terrible Turk Mc Gurk
- Welcome to 18 (1986) as Motorcycle Cop
- MacGyver (1985) as Murph
- Rocky IV (1985) Stunts
- Runaway Train (1985) Stunts
- Friday the 13th: A New Beginning (1985) Stunts
- Fletch (1985) Stunts
- D.A.R.Y.L. (1985) Stunts
- City Limits (1985) Stunts
- The Master (1984) as Brawler (uncredited)
- City Heat (1984) as Garage Soldier
- Johnny Dangerously (1984) Stunts
- Micki & Maude (1984) as Wrestling Referee
- Losin' It (1983) Stunts
- Heart Like a Wheel (1983) Stunts
- Knight Rider (1982) as Junior
- T. J. Hooker (1982) as James Wallace
- The Beastmaster (1982) Stunts
- Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid (1982) as Hood
- White Dog (1982) Stunts
- They Call Me Bruce? (1982) Stunts
- Falcon Crest (1981) as Union Guy
- Simon & Simon (1981)
- Going Ape! (1981) as Faraday
- Heartbeeps (1981) as Forklift Driver Robot
- Smokey Bites the Dust (1981) as Turk
- Smokey Bites the Dust (1981) Stunts
- Magnum, P.I. (1980) Stunt Double
- Airplane! (1980) as Religious Zealot (uncredited)
- Airplane! (1980) Stunts
- Raging Bull (1980) as Ring Announcer (Reeves Fight)
- The Big Brawl (1980) as Stroke
- Foolin' Around (1980) as Paul
- Bronco Billy (1980) Stunts
- Inside Moves (1980) Stunts
- Hart to Hart (1979) as Heavy #2
- The Jerk (1979) as Con Man
- Flesh & Blood (1979) as 2nd Fat Guy
- Americathon (1979) as Referee
- Americathon (1979) Stunts
- The Prize Fighter (1979) Stunts
- Flesh & Blood (1979) as 2nd Fat Guy
- Goldie and the Boxer (1979) as Vinnie
- The Fantastic Seven (1979) Stunts
- Marciano (1979) as Ring Announcer
- Fantasy Island (1978) as The Referee
- Taxi (1978) as Referee
- Taxi (1978) as The Referee
- Every Which Way but Loose (1978) as Biker
- Every Which Way but Loose (1978) Stunts
- The One and Only (1978) as Reigning World Wrestling Champion (uncredited)
- The One and Only (1978) Stunt Coordinator
- I Wanna Hold Your Hand (1978) as Theatre Cop: Reese
- I Wanna Hold Your Hand (1978) Stunts
- The Bad News Bears Go to Japan (1978) as Mean Bones' Manager
- The Fifth Floor (1978) Stunts
- Almost Summer (1978) as Football Coach
- Almost Summer (1978) Stunts
- The Incredible Hulk (1977)
- Black Sunday (1977) Stunts
- Quincy, M.E. (1976)
- Rocky (1976) Stunts
- King Kong (1976) Stunts
- The Big Bus (1976) Stunts
- No Way Back (1976)
- The Day of the Locust (1975) Stunts
- Let's Do It Again (1975) Stunts
- Dinah! (1974) as Self
- The Towering Inferno (1974) Stunts
- Earthquake (1974) Stunts
- The Gambler (1974) Stunts
- California Split (1974) Stunts
- Freebie and the Bean (1974) Stunts
- Busting (1974) Stunts
- 99 and 44/100% Dead (1974) Stunts
- Black Samson (1974) as Nappa's Gang
- Black Samson (1974) Stunts
- Walking Tall (1973) as 2nd Bouncer
- Walking Tall (1973) Stunts
- Slaughter's Big Rip-Off (1973) as Leo (uncredited)
- Cleopatra Jones (1973) as Mommy's Henchman (uncredited)
- Cleopatra Jones (1973) Stunts
- Hell Up In Harlem (1973) Stunts
- Conquest of the Planet of the Apes (1972) Stunts
- Blacula (1972) as Second Dracula Henchman
- Blacula (1972) Stunts
- Hammer (1972) as Referee
- Melinda (1972) as Hood
- Beneath the Planet of the Apes (1970) Stunts
- There Was a Crooked Man... (1970) Stunts
- The Challenge (1970) as Karate Instructor
- Planet of the Apes (1968) Stunts
- Land of the Giants (1968) as Mezron's Brother
- The Split (1968) Stunts
- Don't Just Stand There (1968) Stunt Coordinator
- Ironside (1967)
- The Happiest Millionaire (1967) Stunt Coordinator
- The Green Hornet (1966) as Barney
- What Did You Do in the War, Daddy? (1966) Stunts
- Paradise, Hawaiian Style (1966)
- Three on a Couch (1966) Stunts
- The Wild Wild West (1965) as Felix
- 7 Women (1965) Stunts
- The Munsters (1964) as Tarzan McGirk
- Burke's Law (1963) as Wrestler
- 4 for Texas (1963) Stunts
- The Beverly Hillbillies (1962)
- Blue Hawaii (1961) as (uncredited)
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Gene LeBell best known for?
Gene LeBell is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Blood and Bone (2009), Street Legal (1987), The Sarah Silverman Program. (2007), Smokin' Aces (2006).
When and where was Gene LeBell born?
Gene LeBell was born on October 9, 1932 in Los Angeles, California, USA. They passed away on August 9, 2022.
How many credits does Gene LeBell have?
Gene LeBell has accumulated over 239 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1961 to 2020.
What is Gene LeBell's background in cinema and television?
Ivan Gene LeBell was born on October 9, 1932, in Los Angeles, California, and died on August 9, 2022, at the age of 89. He was an American martial artist, actor, stuntman, stunt coordinator, judoka, and professional wrestler. Nicknamed Judo Gene and The Godfather of Grappling, he was credited with popularizing grapplin...