Hollywood is founded on smoke and mirrors. Tricks of the camera, shoe lifts, and set construction all combine to provide the ideal onscreen illusion. But when the end credits roll, fans are usually amazed to discover the actual heights of their beloved stars. From towering giants to proud short kings, these stars show that height is just a facade when it comes to star power. Let’s count down the 10 most surprising ones.
10. Brad Garrett – Hollywood’s Gentle Giant (6’8″)
If you tuned into Everybody Loves Raymond, you couldn’t help but notice Brad Garrett’s height. Standing at an astonishing 6 feet 8 inches, he is among the tallest thespians in the Hollywood acting pool. His stature tends to overshadow even when he’s not starring.
9. Dwayne Johnson – The Rock Stands Tall (6’5″)
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is not only a larger-than-life personality; he is literally big. At 6’5″, his stature and physique make him the action hero of all action heroes. From wrestling to movie screens, Johnson is the man to notice.
8. Cameron Diaz – Redefining the Leading Lady (5’9″)
At 5’9″, Cameron Diaz towers over most Hollywood actresses. Her height commands attention on screen in movies such as Charlie’s Angels, where she keeps pace with her male co-stars step for step.
7. Ben Affleck – A Towering Batman (6’4″)
At 6’4″, Ben Affleck has natural on-screen authority. From superhero franchise movies to Oscar-winning dramas, his height provides that larger-than-life quality directors adore.
6. Mark Wahlberg – The Everyman Guy (5’8″)
Mark Wahlberg is not especially tall at 5’8″, yet that is all part of his appeal. He is well-suited to both playing the action hero and the all-time everyman. His self-control and on-screen persona show that being tall is just a number.
5. James Cagney – A Timeless Icon (5’8″)
Old Hollywood legend James Cagney stood the same 5’8″, and his career is evidence that charm can overpower stature. With indelible performances in films like The Public Enemy, he recontextualized the hard-man cliché.
4. Robert Downey Jr. – Iron Man at 5’8″
Robert Downey Jr. isn’t the tallest of the Avengers, but at 5’8″, he’s certainly one of the most recognizable. His talent as an actor, wit, and charm made Tony Stark irreplaceable—and his bank statement proves height isn’t everything.
3. Kevin Hart – The Short King of the Throne (5’4″)
At 5’4″, Kevin Hart is one of the shortest A-listers in Hollywood—but you’d never know it by the way he owns the stage and screen. He leans into his height with humor and confidence, telling Oprah, “You get one life. I’m going to embrace mine.”
2. Tom Cruise – The Master of Illusion (5’7″)
Tom Cruise is only 5’7″, yet Hollywood magic always had a way of making him look taller. From shoe lifts to Mission: Impossible’s strategic camera angles, directors learned to make up for their lack of stature. Still, work ethic and stunt training make him larger than life.
1. Danny DeVito – Hollywood’s Short King (4’10”)
Standing at 4’10”, Danny DeVito proves that charisma trumps height. With starring roles in Taxi, Matilda, and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, he’s forged a legendary career. No tricks, no illusions—just plain old-fashioned talent.
Hollywood can cover up height with special effects, but ultimately, it’s not inches that make a star—it’s presence, performance, and personality. From Brad Garrett’s skyscraper height to Danny DeVito’s diminutive genius, these stars prove that Hollywood stardom is available in all shapes and sizes.