Whether admitted outright or quietly padded in press kits, many male celebrities have long faced speculation about their real height.
In showbiz, leading men are often tempted to bill themselves a few centimeters taller than they truly are, often adding their shoe soles to their real stature, leaving fans skeptical of official numbers.
But real life appearances have made the discrepancies too hard to ignore. According to research from Celebrity Heights, a surprising number of famous names are actually shorter than their reputations suggest.
Below is a breakdown of how tall these men actually are, according to the site.
#1 Joe Pesci
Pesci’s violent characters in Goodfellas and Casino feel intimidating, making audiences think of him as larger than life.
In reality, Pesci is 5’3” (160 cm).
Image credits: Ron Galella
#2 James Mcavoy
McAvoy has led everything from Atonement to X-Men. His gravitas on screen often leaves viewers thinking he’s close to 6 feet.
But at 5’7” (170 cm), McAvoy is just under average.
Image credits: jamesmcavoyrealdeal
#3 Daniel Radcliffe
As Harry Potter, Radcliffe grew up on screen, with many fans assuming he’d end up taller than he did.
But Radcliffe is just 5’4½” (164 cm), something he’s joked about in interviews.
Image credits: Theo Wargo
#4 Rami Malek
Perhaps one of Malek’s most famous roles is that of Freddie Mercury in Bohemian Rhapsody.
Standing at 5'7" (170 cm), the actor is just a few centimeters shorter than the songwriter, who was reported to have been 5’9” (175 cm).
Image credits: Victor Boyko
#5 Al Pacino
Pacino’s performances in Scarface and The Godfather are so commanding that fans often picture him as a much taller figure.
Off-screen, Pacino is only 5’5” (165 cm), with some sources giving him a 5’6” peak.
Image credits: Bettmann
#6 Tom Cruise
Cruise might be the most famous example of a Hollywood “short king.” Co-stars, lifts, and camera tricks have kept audiences guessing for decades.
In reality, he’s about 5’7 ¾” (172 cm), though some insist he’s closer to 5’6”. Either way, his on-screen intensity has demonstrated that action heroes come in all sizes.
Image credits: tomcruise
#7 Ken Jeong
Jeong’s breakout role in The Hangover made him a global star.
Off-screen, Jeong is 5’4” (163 cm), something he acknowledged during a standup show. He’s regularly billed at 5’5”.
Image credits: Ken Jeong
#8 Dave Franco
Dave Franco often gets compared to his brother James.
Their height differences were made apparent when they costarred in The Disaster Artist, a movie that recreated the events that led to the creation of cult classic The Room.
In the movie, Dave played the part of Greg Sestero, who in real life stands at 6’1” (185 cm). Dave, on the other hand, stands at 5’5 ¾” (167 cm).
Image credits: Jesse Grant
#9 Kevin Hart
Hart has turned jokes about his size into part of his brand. It doesn’t help that he regularly costars with actors such as Dwayne Johnson, making the contrast even more dramatic.
He’s currently 5’5” (165 cm), a fact he’s used to his advantage.
Image credits: kevinhart4real
#10 Dustin Hoffman
Hoffman’s turns in Rain Man and The Graduate solidified him as one of Hollywood’s greatest. On screen, he never looks small.
Today, Hoffman stands at 5’4¾” (164 cm).
Image credits: Dominik Bindl
#11 Martin Freeman
Freeman’s most famous role as Bilbo in The Hobbit played perfectly into his actual size. Later, as Watson in Sherlock, he used his stature as an advantage.
Freeman stands at 5’6½” (169 cm).
Image credits: Karwai Tang
#12 Seth Green
Despite official sources listing him at 5’4” (163 cm), Green is only 5'2½" (159 cm). He acknowledged this during a 1993 interview.
When asked what he would change about himself, he said, “three inches taller. I'm 5 foot 3, and I can't reach tall cabinets.”
Image credits: sethgreen
#13 Danny Devito
From Taxi to Batman Returns, the actor has consistently delivered performances that make people forget about his height.
But away from camera tricks or costumes, DeVito is only 4’10” (147 cm), an aspect of himself that he has turned into a strength.
Image credits: Earl Gibson III
#14 Elijah Wood
Wood’s role as Frodo turned his stature into part of the legend. Unlike many of his fellow actors on this list, his height was digitally reduced to further sell his part as a hobbit.
Off-screen, Wood is 5’5” (165 cm).
Image credits: J. Countess
#15 Bono
As the front man of U2, Bono has spent decades commanding stadiums. His iconic sunglasses and swagger often make his fans believe he’s taller than he truly is.
Yet Bono is 5’5½” (166 cm). According to the website, “he seems to wear large footwear and can appear taller as a result.”
Image credits: Adam Berry
#16 Jack Black
Black’s explosive energy and booming voice make him feel like a giant. In person, he stands at 5’6” (168 cm).
“In all honesty Jack Black has made me feel more comfortable with my height,” a fan wrote.
Image credits: jackblack
#17 Bruno Mars
Mars is known for his dazzling performances and slick suits, often paired with thick-soled shoes that make him look taller.
He stands at 5’4” (163 cm).
Image credits: brunomars
#18 Johnny Galecki
Galecki’s turn as Leonard on The Big Bang Theory put him next to taller co-stars, making his height more obvious.
He’s 5’5” (165 cm).
Image credits: sanctionedjohnnygalecki
#19 Jonah Hill
Hill has fluctuated in weight throughout his career, which often alters how tall people think he is.
Hill stands at 5’6” (168 cm) as per Celebrity Heights.
Image credits: Andrew Toth
#20 Jesse Eisenberg
As Mark Zuckerberg in The Social Network, Eisenberg was able to perfectly embody the real-life inspiration for his role, with his stature adding to the authenticity.
He’s 5’7” (170 cm), which is almost exactly the same height as the Meta CEO.
Image credits: Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty
#21 Michael J. Fox
Fox rose to superstardom with Back to the Future. His youthful looks kept him believable as a teen for years.
Off-screen, he’s 5’4” (163 cm).
Image credits: realmikejfox
#22 Luis Guzman
Luis Guzmán is known for stealing every scene, whether in gritty dramas like Traffic or comedies. His deep voice and energy often make him seem physically imposing.
But, according to CH, Guzmán is 5’5” (165 cm). His height may surprise fans, especially given how certain sources list him with a few extra inches.
Image credits: piratasbeisbol
#23 Aziz Ansari
Ansari stands 5’5¾” (167 cm).
Even so, his career as a stand-up comedian has proven height doesn’t matter in comedy.
Image credits: Kevin Winter
#24 Emilio Estevez
As part of the Brat Pack, Estevez often stood shoulder-to-shoulder with taller co-stars. His reputation as a leading man made fans picture him bigger.
Yet, he’s 5’4½” (164 cm).
Image credits: Aaron Rapoport
#25 Jason Alexander
As George Costanza on Seinfeld, Alexander leaned into his short build and balding head to elevate his role as comic relief.
Alexander stands at 5’5” (165 cm).
Image credits: jalexander1959
#26 Nick Jonas
Nick, at one point, worked on his physique so much that many assumed he was the tallest Jonas Brother. He’s also known for wearing chunky boots that give him extra lift, fueling the illusion.
His real height is slightly below 5’6’’ (169.5 cm).
Image credits: nickjonas
#27 Marc Anthony
Anthony’s stage charisma often makes fans forget he’s not particularly tall. His powerful vocals can fill arenas.
Off stage, he’s 5'6" (168 cm). On certain websites, his height has been exaggerated to be 5’8” and even 5’11”.
Image credits: marcanthony
#28 Josh Hutcherson
As Peeta in The Hunger Games, Hutcherson was often shot beside a much taller Jennifer Lawrence, creating the illusion of a similar height.
In reality, Hutcherson is 5’5” (165 cm).
Image credits: Stefania D'Alessandro
#29 Woody Allen
Known for his neurotic persona, Allen’s height has been a tool he has used to give his characters a relatable, down to earth edge.
He’s 5’5” (165 cm).
Image credits: woodyallenofficial
#30 Frankie Muniz
Muniz became famous worldwide for his role as Malcolm in the Middle. As he grew older, fans realized he never hit a big growth spurt.
Today, he’s 5’4” (163 cm).
Image credits: frankiemuniz4
#31 Emmanuel Lewis
Lewis became famous as Webster, a child star whose height stayed childlike into adulthood. His size shaped his public image forever.
Today, Lewis’s adult height is 4’3” (130 cm). The medical condition responsible for his stature has not been disclosed.
Image credits: iamemmanuellewis
#32 Emile Hirsch
Hirsch earned acclaim for Into the Wild and Lords of Dogtown. Many assumed his adventurous roles meant he was taller.
Hirsch is 5’5” (165 cm).
Image credits: emilehirsch
#33 Moises Arias
Best remembered as Rico from Hannah Montana, Arias has since proven himself in edgier projects like The Kings of Summer and, more recently, Amazon’s Fallout.
Arias stands at just 4’11’’ (150 cm).
Image credits: Moises Arias
