American martial artist, stunt performer, actor, and former professional wrestler, Gene LeBell died on August 9, 2022, at the age of 89.

He was born Ivan Gene LeBell on October 9, 1932 in Los Angeles, California.

Gene LeBell started training in Catch wrestling and boxing from his early childhood, influenced by his mother, “Red Head” Aileen Eaton, a promoter of both sports who owned the Olympic Auditorium in Los Angeles.

He took up catch wrestling under Ed “Strangler” Lewis at age 7 and subsequently moved to also train judo.

After obtaining his black belt, he went to Japan to train in judo at the Kodokan.

LeBell competed as a heavyweight after returning to the United States. In 1954 and 1955, while only 22 years of age, he captured both the heavyweight and overall Amateur Athletic Union National Judo Championships. His very first match was against John Osako, one of the highest-ranked judokas at the national level.

LeBell retired on August 29, 1980.

Following his combat sports career, LeBell, along with his brother Mike, ran the National Wrestling Alliance’s Los Angeles territory, NWA Hollywood Wrestling, from 1968 to 1982.

Besides Martial Arts, LeBell was also an actor. He worked on over 1,000 films and TV shows and authored 12 books.

LeBell served as an inspiration for the character of Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt) in Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.

In 2000, the United States Ju-Jitsu Federation (USJJF) promoted Gene LeBell 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 is survived by his wife Eleanor Smerch and his children; David LeBell, Monica LeBell Pandis and Danny Martindale.

His funeral arrangement is yet to be announced by the family.