Hollywood’s Leading Ladies You Didn’t Know Were So Tall

Hollywood’s Leading Ladies You Didn’t Know Were So Tall

Hollywood often creates illusions about actors’ heights through camera angles and special effects. Many viewers are surprised to learn that some of their favorite actresses stand much taller than average. These leading ladies break stereotypes about female height in the entertainment industry while showcasing incredible talent that goes far beyond physical appearance. Let’s explore these towering talents who’ve made big impressions both on screen and in real life.

1. Geena Davis: 6 ft (1.83 m)

Oscar-winning actress Geena Davis towers above many of her co-stars at an impressive 6 feet tall. Her height became an asset in films like “A League of Their Own,” where she portrayed a talented baseball player.

Before acting, Davis pursued a modeling career where her statuesque frame was highly sought after. She later founded the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media to promote better representation of women in entertainment.

Fun fact: Davis nearly qualified for the U.S. Olympic archery team at age 43, showing her talents extend far beyond acting!

2. Kate Upton: 5 ft 8 in (1.78 m)

Supermodel turned actress Kate Upton stands 5’8″ – taller than the average American woman by nearly 4 inches. Her height helped launch her modeling career, gracing Sports Illustrated Swimsuit covers multiple times.

Moving into acting, Upton’s presence commanded attention in films like “The Other Woman” alongside Cameron Diaz. Her confident stance and statuesque appearance make her instantly recognizable on any screen or runway.

Beyond her height, Upton is known for advocating body positivity in an industry often criticized for unrealistic standards.

3. Mandy Moore: 5 ft 8 in (1.78 m)

Mandy Moore’s 5’8″ frame helped her transition seamlessly from teen pop star to respected actress. Many fans of her hit show “This Is Us” don’t realize she stands significantly taller than average.

Starting her career at just 15, Moore has grown both professionally and literally into a commanding presence in Hollywood. Her height gives her versatility in roles ranging from Disney princesses to dramatic television characters.

When paired with shorter co-stars, production teams sometimes use special techniques to minimize height differences – a common practice Moore has mentioned in interviews.

4. Sophie Turner: 5 ft 7 in (1.75 m)

Game of Thrones star Sophie Turner stands 5’7″ tall, giving her the perfect stature to play the regal Sansa Stark. Her height added to her character’s commanding presence throughout the series’ eight-season run.

Turner began playing Sansa as a teenager and literally grew into the role. Interestingly, she often towered over many female cast members during filming.

In X-Men films, her height helped portray the powerful Jean Grey character with appropriate physical presence. Turner has embraced her statuesque frame, regularly wearing heels on red carpets that make her appear even taller.

5. Jane Lynch: 6 ft (1.83 m)

Comedy legend Jane Lynch uses her 6-foot height to enhance her commanding presence on screen. As Sue Sylvester in “Glee,” her imposing stature perfectly complemented her character’s intimidating personality.

Lynch often jokes about her height in interviews, embracing it as part of her unique appeal in Hollywood. Directors frequently position her to tower over other actors, using her physical presence for comedic effect.

Beyond scripted roles, Lynch’s height makes her stand out as a game show host on “Hollywood Game Night” and “The Weakest Link,” where her tall frame adds authority to her hosting duties.

6. Khloé Kardashian: 5 ft 10 in (1.79 m)

Reality star Khloé Kardashian stands at a striking 5’10”, making her significantly taller than her famous sisters Kim and Kourtney. Her height difference became a recurring topic on “Keeping Up with the Kardashians.”

Kardashian has spoken openly about feeling insecure about her height when younger. Now she embraces her statuesque frame, often wearing heels that make her tower over 6 feet tall at public appearances.

Her height advantage has become an asset in her fashion ventures, allowing her to showcase clothing lines like Good American in ways that appeal to taller women who often struggle to find properly fitting attire.

7. Jennifer Lawrence: 5 ft 7 in (1.75 m)

Academy Award winner Jennifer Lawrence stands 5’7″ tall, giving her a height advantage in roles like Katniss Everdeen in “The Hunger Games.” Her athletic build and above-average height made her physically convincing as the bow-wielding heroine.

Lawrence famously tripped while climbing stairs to accept her Oscar, a moment she’s joked might have been related to managing her height in an elaborate gown and heels. On film sets, she sometimes towers over co-stars, requiring creative camera angles.

During X-Men filming, Lawrence’s height helped her portray the powerful Mystique character with appropriate physical presence, even before special effects were added.

8. Blake Lively: 5 ft 8 in (1.78 m)

“Gossip Girl” star Blake Lively stands 5’8″ tall, though her frequent high heels make her appear even more statuesque on red carpets. Her height complemented her fashion-forward character Serena van der Woodsen perfectly.

Married to Ryan Reynolds, who stands 6’2″, the couple makes for an impressively tall Hollywood pairing. Lively’s modeling background before acting capitalized on her long-legged frame, which continues to serve her well as a fashion icon.

Directors often use her height advantageously in films like “A Simple Favor,” where her tall, elegant presence helped establish her character’s sophisticated and mysterious persona.

9. Jennifer Coolidge: 5 ft 8 in (1.78 m)

Comedy queen Jennifer Coolidge uses her 5’8″ frame to enhance her larger-than-life characters. Her height adds to her commanding presence in roles like Stifler’s mom in “American Pie” and Tanya in “The White Lotus.”

Often playing characters with big personalities, Coolidge’s physical stature matches her expansive comedic energy. Her recent career renaissance with Emmy-winning performances has brought renewed attention to her impressive screen presence.

Directors frequently capitalize on her height for comedic effect, especially when paired with shorter actors. The contrast creates visual humor that complements her already hilarious performances.

10. Tilda Swinton: 5 ft 10 in (1.79 m)

Avant-garde actress Tilda Swinton stands a striking 5’10” with an ethereal presence that makes her seem even taller. Her unique height and appearance have made her perfect for otherworldly roles in films like “Doctor Strange” and “Constantine.”

Swinton’s androgynous look combined with her tall frame allows her to play characters across gender spectrums. Fashion designers adore her height, making her a favorite for runway-inspired photoshoots and high-concept fashion campaigns.

In “The Chronicles of Narnia,” her imposing stature helped create the magical and intimidating White Witch, a role that capitalized on her physical presence.

11. Charlize Theron: 5 ft 9 in (1.77 m)

South African beauty Charlize Theron stands 5’9″ tall, bringing powerful physical presence to action roles in films like “Mad Max: Fury Road” and “Atomic Blonde.” Her height adds credibility to her portrayal of strong, capable characters.

Beginning her career as a model, Theron’s statuesque frame helped launch her into international recognition. When filming romantic comedies, directors often use tricks to minimize height differences between Theron and shorter male co-stars.

For her Oscar-winning role in “Monster,” Theron’s height helped transform her into serial killer Aileen Wuornos, showcasing how her physical attributes contribute to her remarkable range as an actress.

12. Gal Gadot: 5 ft 8 in (1.78 m)

Wonder Woman actress Gal Gadot stands 5’8″ tall, bringing perfect physical presence to the Amazonian warrior princess role. Her height, combined with intensive physical training, made her portrayal of Diana Prince exceptionally believable.

Before acting, Gadot served in the Israeli military and won Miss Israel, where her statuesque frame was an asset. Her background as a model and combat instructor prepared her for physically demanding roles that showcase her height advantage.

In the Fast & Furious franchise, her tall, athletic build helped establish her character Gisele as a formidable presence alongside the predominantly male cast.

13. Uma Thurman: 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)

Kill Bill star Uma Thurman stands a commanding 5’11” tall, giving her the perfect stature for action roles. Quentin Tarantino specifically utilized her height in fight sequences, making her towering presence part of The Bride’s intimidation factor.

Thurman began modeling as a teenager, where her unusual height and striking features made her stand out. In “Pulp Fiction,” her tall frame created a memorable silhouette during the iconic dance scene with John Travolta.

When wearing heels, Thurman easily surpasses 6 feet, often towering over co-stars and directors at premieres. Her daughter Maya Hawke has inherited her impressive height.

14. Taylor Swift: 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)

Pop superstar Taylor Swift stands a surprising 5’11” tall, though many fans don’t realize her true height. In music videos and performances, her long-legged frame adds to her commanding stage presence.

Swift often towers over other female artists during collaborations and award shows. Her height has become part of her signature look, complemented by her preference for high-waisted shorts and skirts that emphasize her long legs.

During her acting appearances in films like “Valentine’s Day” and “Cats,” directors had to consider her height when pairing her with co-stars. Swift has embraced her statuesque frame, making it part of her confident public image.

15. Brooke Shields: 6 ft (1.83 m)

Iconic model-turned-actress Brooke Shields stands a striking 6 feet tall. Her remarkable height helped launch her modeling career at just 11 months old, eventually making her one of the most recognizable faces of the 1980s.

Shields has spoken about feeling self-conscious about her height as a young actress. In her teenage years, she would often slouch in photos when standing next to shorter co-stars or dates.

Now embracing her statuesque frame, Shields has become an advocate for body positivity. Her daughters have inherited her tall genes, with both standing well above average height for women.

16. Gisele Bündchen: 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)

Supermodel Gisele Bündchen’s 5’11” frame helped establish her as one of fashion’s most successful figures. Her height was perfect for showcasing designer clothing on international runways during her Victoria’s Secret Angel days.

Married to NFL quarterback Tom Brady until their recent divorce, the pair made for one of Hollywood’s tallest couples. Bündchen’s Brazilian heritage combined with her Northern European ancestry contributed to her uniquely tall, athletic build.

Beyond modeling, her height has been an asset in environmental activism, literally helping her stand out when advocating for causes. Her tall silhouette remains one of the most recognizable in the fashion world.

17. Nicole Kidman: 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)

Academy Award winner Nicole Kidman stands an impressive 5’11” tall. Her height became a talking point during her marriage to Tom Cruise, who is several inches shorter, often requiring camera tricks to minimize their height difference.

Australian-born Kidman has joked about feeling awkward as a tall teenager, but her statuesque frame became an asset in Hollywood. Directors often showcase her elegant height in films like “Moulin Rouge” and “The Hours.”

Fashion designers adore dressing Kidman for red carpet events, as her height allows gowns to drape beautifully. When wearing heels, she easily surpasses 6 feet tall.

18. Kristen Johnston: 6 ft (1.83 m)

Emmy-winning actress Kristen Johnston stands 6 feet tall, using her height to comedic advantage in the hit series “3rd Rock from the Sun.” As alien Sally Solomon, her towering presence created humorous contrasts with her attempts to understand human femininity.

Johnston has spoken candidly about height-related insecurities growing up, reaching her full height by age 12. These experiences informed her memoir “Guts,” where she discusses body image alongside her struggles with addiction.

In recent years, Johnston has embraced her statuesque frame in roles like Tammy on “Mom.” Her height continues to make her an instantly recognizable presence on any screen.

19. Macy Gray: 6 ft (1.83 m)

Grammy-winning singer Macy Gray stands a striking 6 feet tall, making her tower over many music industry peers. Her height adds to her distinctive stage presence, complementing her instantly recognizable raspy voice.

Gray’s tall frame helps her command attention during performances of hits like “I Try.” When she ventured into acting with roles in films like “Training Day” and “Spider-Man,” directors utilized her height to create memorable visual moments.

Fashion designers appreciate Gray’s willingness to embrace bold, eclectic styles that showcase her height. Her physical stature matches her outsized musical talent and unique artistic vision.

20. Leslie Jones: 6 ft (1.83 m)

Comedy powerhouse Leslie Jones stands 6 feet tall, using her height to enhance her larger-than-life comedic presence on Saturday Night Live. Her physical stature adds impact to her energetic performances and distinctive delivery style.

Jones began her career in stand-up comedy, where her height helped her command attention on stage. When cast in the “Ghostbusters” reboot, her tall frame created visual contrast with her co-stars, adding to the ensemble dynamic.

As an Olympic commentator, Jones’s enthusiastic personality matched her impressive height. She frequently jokes about dating challenges as a tall woman, turning potential insecurities into relatable comedy gold.

21. Famke Janssen: 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)

Dutch actress Famke Janssen stands 5’11” tall, bringing physical power to her role as Jean Grey/Phoenix in the X-Men franchise. Her imposing height added credibility to her portrayal of the telepathic mutant with devastating abilities.

Before acting, Janssen worked as a model, where her statuesque frame was highly sought after. Her height created a memorable contrast in the James Bond film “GoldenEye,” where her character Xenia Onatopp used her physical strength as a weapon.

In the Netflix series “Hemlock Grove,” directors frequently framed shots to emphasize Janssen’s tall, elegant presence. She rarely wears flats on red carpets, confidently embracing her height.

22. Laura Dern: 5 ft 10 in (1.79 m)

Oscar-winner Laura Dern stands 5’10” tall, bringing physical presence to diverse roles from “Jurassic Park” to “Big Little Lies.” Her height helped make her dinosaur-evading scientist Dr. Ellie Sattler a believably capable action hero.

Coming from Hollywood royalty as the daughter of actors Bruce Dern and Diane Ladd, Dern inherited her father’s tall stature. Directors like David Lynch have utilized her height in films like “Blue Velvet” and “Inland Empire” to create visually striking scenes.

In “Marriage Story,” her commanding physical presence reinforced her character’s reputation as a formidable divorce attorney. Dern rarely hides her height, often wearing heels on red carpets.

23. Allison Janney: 6 ft (1.83 m)

Seven-time Emmy winner Allison Janney stands a striking 6 feet tall, bringing commanding presence to roles like C.J. Cregg in “The West Wing.” Her height reinforced her character’s authority as White House Press Secretary, making her physically imposing in the fictional briefing room.

Janney began her acting career relatively late, after initially pursuing figure skating. She has credited her height with helping her stand out in auditions, though it occasionally limited her casting options earlier in her career.

For her Oscar-winning role in “I, Tonya,” Janney’s height added to her portrayal of LaVona Golden’s intimidating presence. She often jokes about her height in interviews, embracing it as part of her unique appeal.

24. Sigourney Weaver: 6 ft (1.83 m)

Sci-fi legend Sigourney Weaver stands 6 feet tall, bringing perfect physical presence to her iconic role as Ellen Ripley in the “Alien” franchise. Her height added credibility to her portrayal of the tough, capable survivor facing extraterrestrial threats.

Weaver has spoken about feeling awkward about her height as a young actress. She adopted her professional name “Sigourney” (from a character in “The Great Gatsby”) partly to match what she felt was her imposing physical presence.

In “Avatar,” her height translated impressively to her Na’vi character through motion capture technology. At 74, Weaver continues to command the screen with her tall, elegant presence.

25. Zendaya: 5 ft 8 in (1.78 m)

Multi-talented Zendaya stands 5’8″ tall, though her slender frame and fashion choices often make her appear even taller. Her height created an interesting dynamic in “Spider-Man” films alongside shorter co-star Tom Holland, sometimes requiring creative camera work.

Beginning her career as a Disney Channel star, Zendaya’s growth spurt helped her transition to more mature roles. In “Euphoria,” her statuesque presence contributes to her character Rue’s distinctive silhouette and physical mannerisms.

As a fashion icon, Zendaya’s height allows her to showcase dramatic runway looks on red carpets. She frequently wears towering heels that push her height well above 6 feet.

26. Karlie Kloss: 6 ft 1 in (1.88 m)

Supermodel turned entrepreneur Karlie Kloss stands an impressive 6’1″ tall. Her exceptional height helped launch her modeling career at just 14, quickly making her one of the industry’s most recognizable faces.

Kloss’s runway walk became legendary, with her long legs covering catwalk distance in fewer steps than other models. Beyond modeling, she founded Kode With Klossy, teaching young girls computer programming while serving as a tall role model in the tech space.

Married to Joshua Kushner, Kloss towers over many in her social circle. She’s spoken about growing up insecure about her height before embracing it as her superpower in the fashion world.

27. Gwendoline Christie: 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)

British actress Gwendoline Christie stands a remarkable 6’3″ tall, making her perfect casting as the warrior Brienne of Tarth in “Game of Thrones.” Her extraordinary height added authenticity to a character described in the books as uncommonly tall and powerful.

Christie has spoken about childhood bullying due to her height before finding confidence through acting. In “Star Wars” as Captain Phasma, her imposing stature was enhanced further by armor, creating an unforgettable villainous presence.

Fashion designers like Vivienne Westwood have embraced Christie’s unique proportions, creating custom pieces that celebrate rather than minimize her height. She represents powerful beauty outside conventional standards.