{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Person",
  "@id": "https://www.screensearch.co.uk/person/16643/gene-lebell",
  "name": "Gene LeBell",
  "url": "https://www.screensearch.co.uk/person/16643/gene-lebell",
  "knownForDepartment": "Acting",
  "description": "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.\n\nIn 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.\n\nLeBell served as an inspiration for the character of Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt) in Quentin Tarantino's Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.",
  "birthDate": "1932-10-09",
  "deathDate": "2022-08-09",
  "birthPlace": "Los Angeles, California, USA",
  "alternateName": [
    "Gene Le Bell",
    "Gene La Bell",
    "Gene LaBell"
  ],
  "image": "https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w500/f5p6gWqunqhK4clAgG1agI3Xzhp.jpg",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0494061"
  ],
  "lastVerified": "11 May 2026",
  "filmography": [
    {
      "mediaType": "tv",
      "tmdbId": 4087,
      "title": "The X-Files",
      "year": "1993",
      "role": "as Bartender",
      "roleKind": "cast",
      "voteAverage": 8.4,
      "posterUrl": "https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w500/rcBx0p8h51LHceyhquYMxbspJQu.jpg",
      "screenSearchUrl": "https://www.screensearch.co.uk/watch/tv/4087/the-x-files-1993"
    },
    {
      "mediaType": "tv",
      "tmdbId": 4239,
      "title": "Married... with Children",
      "year": "1987",
      "role": "as Larry",
      "roleKind": "cast",
      "voteAverage": 7.732,
      "posterUrl": "https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w500/qxdOgESOkBMmfcWUizL01mbdqzl.jpg",
      "screenSearchUrl": "https://www.screensearch.co.uk/watch/tv/4239/married-with-children-1987"
    },
    {
      "mediaType": "tv",
      "tmdbId": 2875,
      "title": "MacGyver",
      "year": "1985",
      "role": "as Murph",
      "roleKind": "cast",
      "voteAverage": 7.717,
      "posterUrl": "https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w500/zhgJNHbFxGkqdsKdkZLBrDWagOv.jpg",
      "screenSearchUrl": "https://www.screensearch.co.uk/watch/tv/2875/macgyver-1985"
    },
    {
      "mediaType": "tv",
      "tmdbId": 93,
      "title": "Falcon Crest",
      "year": "1981",
      "role": "as Union Guy",
      "roleKind": "cast",
      "voteAverage": 5.653,
      "posterUrl": "https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w500/rgcKhBsHwAlPpeJG9yKip5oWVo9.jpg",
      "screenSearchUrl": "https://www.screensearch.co.uk/watch/tv/93/falcon-crest-1981"
    },
    {
      "mediaType": "tv",
      "tmdbId": 734,
      "title": "Magnum, P.I.",
      "year": "1980",
      "role": "Stunt Double",
      "roleKind": "crew",
      "voteAverage": 7.322,
      "posterUrl": "https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w500/ht0dsKCZxbPawKdTPLeNtnnbxim.jpg",
      "screenSearchUrl": "https://www.screensearch.co.uk/watch/tv/734/magnum-p-i-1980"
    },
    {
      "mediaType": "tv",
      "tmdbId": 2384,
      "title": "Knight Rider",
      "year": "1982",
      "role": "as Junior",
      "roleKind": "cast",
      "voteAverage": 7.521,
      "posterUrl": "https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w500/t57NXzTrwp5rnPXiaX4BThrDxt1.jpg",
      "screenSearchUrl": "https://www.screensearch.co.uk/watch/tv/2384/knight-rider-1982"
    },
    {
      "mediaType": "tv",
      "tmdbId": 4582,
      "title": "Ironside",
      "year": "1967",
      "role": "Cast",
      "roleKind": "cast",
      "voteAverage": 6.864,
      "posterUrl": "https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w500/Fu9Sv0pQ0s89uWwwXcaG0kiNW7.jpg",
      "screenSearchUrl": "https://www.screensearch.co.uk/watch/tv/4582/ironside-1967"
    },
    {
      "mediaType": "tv",
      "tmdbId": 52,
      "title": "That '70s Show",
      "year": "1998",
      "role": "as Referee",
      "roleKind": "cast",
      "voteAverage": 7.938,
      "posterUrl": "https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w500/laEZvTqM80UaplUaDSCCbWhlyEV.jpg",
      "screenSearchUrl": "https://www.screensearch.co.uk/watch/tv/52/that-70s-show-1998"
    },
    {
      "mediaType": "tv",
      "tmdbId": 2179,
      "title": "Quincy, M.E.",
      "year": "1976",
      "role": "Cast",
      "roleKind": "cast",
      "voteAverage": 7.517,
      "posterUrl": "https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w500/e0bsxZqhE5fhRjaX2LKu8GuKccE.jpg",
      "screenSearchUrl": "https://www.screensearch.co.uk/watch/tv/2179/quincy-m-e-1976"
    },
    {
      "mediaType": "tv",
      "tmdbId": 2187,
      "title": "Reno 911!",
      "year": "2003",
      "role": "as Old Man on Scooter",
      "roleKind": "cast",
      "voteAverage": 7.222,
      "posterUrl": "https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w500/jIoeMgmcGdgTDqQUq4sDWFNsPUD.jpg",
      "screenSearchUrl": "https://www.screensearch.co.uk/watch/tv/2187/reno-911-2003"
    },
    {
      "mediaType": "tv",
      "tmdbId": 1930,
      "title": "The Beverly Hillbillies",
      "year": "1962",
      "role": "Cast",
      "roleKind": "cast",
      "voteAverage": 6.917,
      "posterUrl": "https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w500/sEZs4szkwBXIK3DOm37MnQN9fIe.jpg",
      "screenSearchUrl": "https://www.screensearch.co.uk/watch/tv/1930/the-beverly-hillbillies-1962"
    },
    {
      "mediaType": "tv",
      "tmdbId": 3162,
      "title": "Hart to Hart",
      "year": "1979",
      "role": "Cast",
      "roleKind": "cast",
      "voteAverage": 6.878,
      "posterUrl": "https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w500/rK7eHDVQVYwwuxf91rmSNn6ykQn.jpg",
      "screenSearchUrl": "https://www.screensearch.co.uk/watch/tv/3162/hart-to-hart-1979"
    },
    {
      "mediaType": "tv",
      "tmdbId": 4544,
      "title": "Strong Medicine",
      "year": "2000",
      "role": "as Referee",
      "roleKind": "cast",
      "voteAverage": 7.438,
      "posterUrl": "https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w500/SxrWagwCtPrlI6K50fRl81Omxk.jpg",
      "screenSearchUrl": "https://www.screensearch.co.uk/watch/tv/4544/strong-medicine-2000"
    },
    {
      "mediaType": "tv",
      "tmdbId": 2685,
      "title": "Family Matters",
      "year": "1989",
      "role": "as Referee",
      "roleKind": "cast",
      "voteAverage": 6.763,
      "posterUrl": "https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w500/lIIPV3te2mxBQBHw2rfhwkUYsHf.jpg",
      "screenSearchUrl": "https://www.screensearch.co.uk/watch/tv/2685/family-matters-1989"
    },
    {
      "mediaType": "tv",
      "tmdbId": 1059,
      "title": "T. J. Hooker",
      "year": "1982",
      "role": "as James Wallace",
      "roleKind": "cast",
      "voteAverage": 6.516,
      "posterUrl": "https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w500/zcHUwD20mqMD4g8LKdpKD12QRhE.jpg",
      "screenSearchUrl": "https://www.screensearch.co.uk/watch/tv/1059/t-j-hooker-1982"
    },
    {
      "mediaType": "tv",
      "tmdbId": 10929,
      "title": "The Wild Wild West",
      "year": "1965",
      "role": "as Felix",
      "roleKind": "cast",
      "voteAverage": 7.586,
      "posterUrl": "https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w500/4LSZNCSxDodwCP8EsKRTgMDUKY4.jpg",
      "screenSearchUrl": "https://www.screensearch.co.uk/watch/tv/10929/the-wild-wild-west-1965"
    },
    {
      "mediaType": "tv",
      "tmdbId": 2102,
      "title": "Simon & Simon",
      "year": "1981",
      "role": "Cast",
      "roleKind": "cast",
      "voteAverage": 6.72,
      "posterUrl": "https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w500/h1wId4z79SQOOhEnc3oEqf3qpro.jpg",
      "screenSearchUrl": "https://www.screensearch.co.uk/watch/tv/2102/simon-simon-1981"
    },
    {
      "mediaType": "tv",
      "tmdbId": 945,
      "title": "Burke's Law",
      "year": "1963",
      "role": "as Wrestler",
      "roleKind": "cast",
      "voteAverage": 6.25,
      "posterUrl": "https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w500/ePKRW7T0RCgzSzuVJPwHxcqBPXG.jpg",
      "screenSearchUrl": "https://www.screensearch.co.uk/watch/tv/945/burke-s-law-1963"
    },
    {
      "mediaType": "tv",
      "tmdbId": 648,
      "title": "The Incredible Hulk",
      "year": "1977",
      "role": "Cast",
      "roleKind": "cast",
      "voteAverage": 7.24,
      "posterUrl": "https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w500/8q7uFuNuMWTWfcpnCpBuZa3KZXx.jpg",
      "screenSearchUrl": "https://www.screensearch.co.uk/watch/tv/648/the-incredible-hulk-1977"
    },
    {
      "mediaType": "tv",
      "tmdbId": 2251,
      "title": "Taxi",
      "year": "1978",
      "role": "as Referee",
      "roleKind": "cast",
      "voteAverage": 7.277,
      "posterUrl": "https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w500/pua3A2XSaO6bP6WhVDBRbcyRTAS.jpg",
      "screenSearchUrl": "https://www.screensearch.co.uk/watch/tv/2251/taxi-1978"
    },
    {
      "mediaType": "movie",
      "tmdbId": 2109,
      "title": "Rush Hour",
      "year": "1998",
      "role": "as Taxi Driver",
      "roleKind": "cast",
      "voteAverage": 7.066,
      "posterUrl": "https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w500/3WsLE6FtxEPRa6U9sbY1ckrn39s.jpg",
      "screenSearchUrl": "https://www.screensearch.co.uk/watch/movie/2109/rush-hour-1998"
    },
    {
      "mediaType": "tv",
      "tmdbId": 39775,
      "title": "Fantasy Island",
      "year": "1978",
      "role": "as The Referee",
      "roleKind": "cast",
      "voteAverage": 6.47,
      "posterUrl": "https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w500/ppxhytiPrgojE4eb6Tw0EonDzeP.jpg",
      "screenSearchUrl": "https://www.screensearch.co.uk/watch/tv/39775/fantasy-island-1978"
    },
    {
      "mediaType": "movie",
      "tmdbId": 25221,
      "title": "For the Boys",
      "year": "1991",
      "role": "Stunts",
      "roleKind": "crew",
      "voteAverage": 6.284,
      "posterUrl": "https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w500/m1pIYwjYVzfQMe6lOPf2vf6lL1m.jpg",
      "screenSearchUrl": "https://www.screensearch.co.uk/watch/movie/25221/for-the-boys-1991"
    },
    {
      "mediaType": "tv",
      "tmdbId": 3216,
      "title": "Baretta",
      "year": "1975",
      "role": "Cast",
      "roleKind": "cast",
      "voteAverage": 6.524,
      "posterUrl": "https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w500/xayGSRT2GbcFTwNIqt6l355v29F.jpg",
      "screenSearchUrl": "https://www.screensearch.co.uk/watch/tv/3216/baretta-1975"
    }
  ]
}