1932-10-09 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.
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The Search for Count Dante | 2020-10-08 | |
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The Ronda Rousey Story: Through My Father's Eyes | 2019-12-16 | |
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Fury of the Fist and the Golden Fleece | The Boss | 2018-05-25 |
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I Am Bruce Lee | Self | 2012-02-09 |
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From Mexico With Love | Referee | 2009-03-15 |
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Redbelt | Old Stuntman | 2008-04-07 |
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Bottoms Up | Milt | 2006-09-12 |
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Cellular | Driving Instructor (uncredited) | 2004-09-06 |
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Spider-Man 2 | Train Passenger (uncredited) | 2004-06-25 |
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Jackass: The Movie | Self | 2002-10-25 |
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Men in Black II | Subway Passenger (uncredited) | 2002-07-03 |
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Rat Race | Veteran with Gun | 2001-08-17 |
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Running Red | Mercier's Bodyguard | 1999-03-30 |
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Man on the Moon | Foxy Jackson Referee | 1999-12-22 |
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Rush Hour | Taxi Driver | 1998-09-18 |
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Hard Time | Eddie | 1998-12-12 |
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On the Edge of Innocence | Security Guard | 1997-04-20 |
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Double Tap | Wallace | 1997-09-05 |
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Batman & Robin | Arkham Asylum Property Room Guard | 1997-06-20 |
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Shaughnessy: The Iron Marshal | NYC bouncer | 1996-06-20 |
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Jury Duty | Security Guard (uncredited) | 1995-04-12 |
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3 Ninjas Knuckle Up | Red-Haired Waste Plant Worker Punching Rocky (uncredited) | 1995-04-07 |
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Ed Wood | Ring Announcer | 1994-09-28 |
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Ring of Steel | MiB Bodyguard | 1994-03-30 |
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M.A.N.T.I.S. | Rioter (uncredited) | 1994-01-24 |
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Bloodfist IV: Die Trying | Burly | 1992-11-18 |
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Rapid Fire | Red Haired Serrano Gunman (uncredited) | 1992-08-21 |
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Eyes of an Angel | Pit Bull Handler | 1991-07-26 |
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Kickboxer 2: The Road Back | Referee | 1991-01-30 |
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Alligator 2: The Mutation | Referee | 1991-07-05 |
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Loose Cannons | Grimmer's Man | 1990-02-09 |
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Dead Heat | 1988-05-06 | |
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Death Wish 4: The Crackdown | Cannery Guard | 1987-06-11 |
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Number One with a Bullet | Referee | 1987-02-27 |
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Bad Guys | Terrible Turk Mc Gurk | 1986-03-14 |
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Welcome to 18 | Motorcycle Cop | 1986-04-18 |
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The Golden Child | Drunken Biker (uncredited) | 1986-12-12 |
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Micki & Maude | Wrestling Referee | 1984-12-21 |
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Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid | Hood | 1982-05-21 |
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Going Ape! | Faraday | 1981-04-10 |
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Heartbeeps | Forklift Driver Robot | 1981-12-18 |
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Smokey Bites the Dust | Turk | 1981-10-01 |
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Foolin' Around | Paul | 1980-10-17 |
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The Big Brawl | Stroke | 1980-08-18 |
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Airplane! | Religious Zealot (uncredited) | 1980-06-27 |
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Raging Bull | Ring Announcer (Reeves Fight) | 1980-11-14 |
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Flesh & Blood | 2nd Fat Guy | 1979-10-14 |
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The Jerk | Con Man | 1979-12-14 |
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Marciano | Ring Announcer | 1979-10-21 |
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Americathon | Referee | 1979-08-10 |
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Goldie and the Boxer | Vinnie | 1979-12-30 |
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The Bad News Bears Go to Japan | Mean Bones' Manager | 1978-06-30 |
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I Wanna Hold Your Hand | Theatre Cop: Reese | 1978-04-01 |
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Every Which Way but Loose | Biker | 1978-12-16 |
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The One and Only | Reigning World Wrestling Champion (uncredited) | 1978-02-03 |
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Almost Summer | Football Coach | 1978-04-21 |
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No Way Back | 1976-05-01 | |
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Black Samson | Nappa's Gang (as Gene LaBell) | 1974-08-14 |
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Cleopatra Jones | Mommy's Henchman (uncredited) | 1973-07-13 |
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Walking Tall | 2nd Bouncer | 1973-02-22 |
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Slaughter's Big Rip-Off | Leo (uncredited) | 1973-08-31 |
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Hammer | Referee | 1972-07-04 |
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Melinda | Hood | 1972-08-06 |
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Blacula | Second Dracula Henchman | 1972-08-25 |
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The Challenge | Karate Instructor | 1970-02-10 |
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Paradise, Hawaiian Style | 1966-04-23 | |
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Blue Hawaii | (uncredited) | 1961-11-22 |
