The Shortest Female Stars in Hollywood

The Shortest Female Stars in Hollywood

Hollywood might be known for its larger-than-life personalities, but some of its biggest stars come in smaller packages! These talented actresses prove that height has nothing to do with star power. From award-winning performances to blockbuster roles, these petite powerhouses have made huge impacts on the entertainment industry despite their small stature.

1. Ariana Grande – 5’0″

The pint-sized pop princess with powerhouse vocals stands at just 5 feet tall, but her presence in entertainment is gigantic. Beginning her career on Nickelodeon shows, Ariana quickly skyrocketed to become one of music’s biggest global superstars.

Her signature high ponytail adds a few illusionary inches to her petite frame, while her platform heels have become part of her iconic style – practical fashion choices that help her stand taller on stage. Despite her small stature, her vocal range spans an impressive four octaves.

Fun fact: Grande has joked about her height in interviews, once saying she stopped growing in middle school and has been the same height since she was ten years old!

2. Lady Gaga – 5’1″

Though only 5’1″, Lady Gaga’s presence is larger than life, captivating audiences worldwide. Born Stefani Germanotta, she journeyed from humble beginnings in New York’s Lower East Side to superstardom as one of entertainment’s most dynamic talents.

Her height hasn’t stopped her from commanding attention on both stage and screen. From her meat dress to her stripped-down performance in “A Star Is Born,” Gaga consistently proves her talents exceed physical measurements.

Fun fact: Gaga often wears platform shoes that add 8-10 inches to her height during performances!

3. Reese Witherspoon – 5’1″

Reese Witherspoon, the 5’1″ Southern belle and Academy Award winner, rose to fame in the ’90s. Today, she’s not only a celebrated actress but also a trailblazing producer, leading the charge for female-focused stories through Hello Sunshine.

On screen, Witherspoon often plays characters larger than life – from the determined Elle Woods to the fierce Madeline Mackenzie in “Big Little Lies.” Her diminutive height never diminishes her commanding screen presence.

She once joked in an interview: “I’m not short, I’m just concentrated awesome.”

4. Kristen Bell – 5’1″

At a petite 5’1″, Kristen Bell’s performances stand tall. The voice of Princess Anna in Frozen and star of The Good Place, she brings humor and heart to every character she plays.

Bell’s petite frame hasn’t limited her career choices or her ability to play diverse characters. From the snarky teen detective Veronica Mars to the morally complex Eleanor Shellstrop, she proves that talent isn’t measured in inches.

When filming with taller co-stars, production crews often use apple boxes (nicknamed “Kristen boxes” on her sets) to help frame shots properly.

5. Jada Pinkett Smith – 5’0″

Jada Pinkett Smith may be only 5 feet tall, but her impact is anything but small. From action-packed roles in The Matrix Reloaded to her honest conversations on Red Table Talk, she stands tall in every arena.

Her marriage to the 6’2″ Will Smith creates one of Hollywood’s most noticeable height differences. Yet on screen, clever camera angles and her magnetic presence make her physical size an afterthought.

Beyond acting, Jada fronted the metal band Wicked Wisdom, proving her outsized talents extend beyond the screen into unexpected realms.

6. Eva Longoria – 5’2″

Small in stature but colossal in influence, Eva Longoria rose from the streets of Desperate Housewives to shape Hollywood’s future as a fierce producer, director, and activist.

Her petite frame becomes particularly noticeable at red carpet events, where she often towers in 5-inch heels standing alongside her industry colleagues. The contrast between her small stature and enormous influence makes her success story even more impressive.

“I’ve never thought of myself as a small person – only when I stand next to basketball players!” she once quipped in an interview.

7. Salma Hayek – 5’2″

Although Mexican-born Salma Hayek is only 5’2″ tall, she commands an impressive presence in Hollywood. Surpassing both language and height challenges, she earned an Oscar nod for her role as artist Frida Kahlo and has risen to become a major force in film production.

Her curvaceous figure often makes people perceive her as taller than she actually is. In interviews, Hayek embraces her petite stature, noting how it connects her to Latin American audiences where the average height for women is lower.

“Being short actually helped me develop personality. When you’re short, you either become invisible or unforgettable – I chose the latter,” Hayek once said.

8. Lucy Liu – 5’3″

With a height of just 5’3″, Lucy Liu exudes star power in every role she takes on. Whether dominating action-packed Charlie’s Angels or showcasing subtle depth in Elementary, she has proven her versatility beyond her small frame.

As an Asian-American actress, Liu broke significant barriers in Hollywood while never letting her height define her career choices. Her powerful screen presence makes viewers forget she’s often the shortest person in the cast.

A talented artist outside of acting, Liu has exhibited her paintings in galleries worldwide under her Chinese name, Yu Ling – proving her creative talents extend beyond her physical dimensions.

9. Maisie Williams – 5’1″

Best known for wielding Needle as Arya Stark in “Game of Thrones,” Maisie Williams stands at just 5’1″ but leaves an enormous impression. Beginning her career as a teenager, Williams has grown into a versatile actress while maintaining her petite stature.

Her small size worked perfectly for playing the young Stark daughter, who was often underestimated by her enemies. Williams has spoken openly about how her height sometimes limits the roles she’s considered for, but she’s determined not to let it define her career.

“Sometimes being short is an advantage – I can slip through crowds unnoticed when I don’t want attention!” she once mentioned in an interview.

10. Kourtney Kardashian – 5’0″

The eldest Kardashian sister stands at just 5’0″, making her the shortest among the famous family. Kourtney’s petite frame is often highlighted when she stands beside her taller sisters Kim, Khloé, Kendall, and Kylie in their reality shows and public appearances.

Despite her small stature, Kourtney has built an impressive lifestyle empire through Poosh and various business ventures. Her height has become part of her brand identity, with fans appreciating her fashion choices that complement her petite frame.

Kourtney has mentioned that she often borrows clothes from her children’s closets because adult sizes are frequently too large for her tiny frame!

11. Snooki (Nicole Polizzi) – 4’8″

Reality TV star Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi might be the shortest celebrity on our list at just 4’8″, but her outsized personality made her the breakout star of “Jersey Shore.” Her diminutive height became part of her trademark image, along with her iconic poof hairstyle that added valuable inches.

Snooki transformed her reality fame into a business empire including clothing lines, books, and spin-off shows. She’s embraced her petite stature, often joking about it in interviews and social media.

“I’m not short, I’m fun-sized!” became one of her catchphrases, showing how she turned a potential limitation into a beloved characteristic.