5 Phenomenal Actors Who Are Shorter Than You May Think

To start off, this isn’t an indictment on anyone’s height. In fact you can make a good case that there are a lot more men across the globe who are under 6’0 than over. So take this for what it is – a meaningless but fun Phenomenal 5. And it’s more about how Hollywood has framed them in their movies versus reality.

It’s funny, whenever this conversation pops up, Tom Cruise at 5’7 is often first mentioned. For that reason I’m leaving him off this list. Instead I’m looking at five other actors whose height may surprise you! Cruise may be the poster boy (and occasional punching bag) for shorter actors, but the five I’m listing are solid on screen and are known movie tough guys to boot. Now there are plenty of actors that fall into this category so this isn’t the definitive list. But these are five pretty phenomenal choices.

#5 – JASON STATHAM (5’9)

Jason Statham has steadily grown as an actor. And he’s probably the baddest buttkicker on this list. But it may surprise you to find that he’s shorter than some think standing at 5’9. But don’t let that fool you. Throughout his movie catalog, Statham has shown that height isn’t everything. In fact, I would call this martial arts guru one of the most charismatic and exciting action movie stars to come along in ages. He jumps, he kicks, he punches, he flips. And think about this – he does it all while only two inches taller than the singled out Mr. Cruise.

#4 – JEREMY RENNER (5’8)

Now I have heard a couple of references to Jeremy Renner’s height but overall it goes unnoticed. In fact, hearing that he’s only 5’8 may surprise some people especially considering the many tough roles he has taken on. He’s played a U.S. soldier teetering on the edge, a Marvel superhero, a tough as nails Boston criminal, and an on-the-run hitman. Yet you would never recognize his smaller size in any of his performances. Renner is someone who often flies under the radar, but I’m drawn to anything he’s in.

#3 – JAVIER BARDEM (5’11)

Perhaps my biggest surprise in putting this list together came when I found out that Javier Bardem is 5 foot and 11 inches tall. Again, that’s not what I would call “short”. But when you look at him on screen he’s usually depicted as a looming presence. In “No Country for Old Men” his creepy, brutal Anton Chigurh character came across as a large and menacing force. And in his role as a psychotic James Bond villain his smaller size is never hinted at. Who knew?

#2 – TOM HARDY (5’9)

Tom Hardy is one of my favorite current-day actors so his shorter size was well known to me. But some may not realize that the man who played the huge hulking DC Comics villain Bane is only 5’9. But his tough guy roles don’t stop there. He’s also played a hard-nosed Prohibition era bootlegger and a brutish mixed martial arts fighter. When Hardy bulks up for a role he really bulks up and his muscle mass does a lot to conceal his smaller frame. But the main thing to me is that he remains a phenomenal actor.

#1 – AL PACINO (5’6)

Al Pacino has been around long enough that his height may not surprise many. But he’s still a prime example of how a tough guy actor’s size can go completely unnoticed. And Al Pacino certainly qualifies as a tough guy. From mob boss to drug lord to police detective, Pacino has played each role with a realistic toughness that few others can bring. And regardless of the role, his stature is lost due to his fantastic performances and larger than life characters. So if you think about it, Cruise shares the same height with a true screen legend and an unquestionable tough guy. So maybe Tom isn’t so short after all.

So there they are. What do you think of the list? Do you know of another great actor who would fall into the “short” category? Please take time to share your comments below.

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