If you’ve been enjoying new films coming out either late last year or in 2024, then you might have noticed quite a few of the leading men are shorter than the average five feet nine inches. If you enjoy your “short kings” in film, then make sure to check out these twenty-five shortest Hollywood actors who do not let their height determine their acting skills.
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25. Barry Keoghan, 5’8”
Our first actor is none other than Barry Keoghan, who turned heads in his newest film Saltburn starring as the oddball Oliver Quick. Keoghan made his acting presence known with films like The Killing of a Sacred Deer and Eternals, the Irishman has quickly garnered a lot of acclaim and attention. His newest appearance in 2024 is in Masters of the Air, an Apple TV miniseries where Keoghan plays Lt. Curtis Biddick.
– Notable Appearances: Saltburn (2023), Eternals (2021), The Killing of a Sacred Deer (2017)
24. Robert Downey Jr., 5’8”
Even if you’re not a Marvel fan, Robert Downey Jr. should be on your list of prominent actors. Downey holds a long list of achievements and has been able to stay present in the acting business for several decades. His most notable performance was as Tony Stark (aka Iron Man), but Downey has also appeared in Dolittle and Sherlock Holmes. His most recent performance was in Oppenheimer as Lewis Strauss, earning a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture.
– Notable Appearances: Oppenheimer (2023), Dolittle (2020), Iron Man (2008)
CHECK OUT: 25 Best Robert Downey Jr. Movies and Where to Stream Them
23. Mark Ruffalo, 5’8”
Another Marvel actor, Mark Ruffalo has had several other notable performances. Most recently, he played Duncan Wedderburn in the film Poor Things which won a 2024 Golden Globe Award. You may have also seen him in the miniseries All the Light We Cannot See or The Adam Project, where he stars alongside Ryan Reynolds and Walker Scobell.
– Notable Appearances: Poor Things (2023), The Adam Project (2022), Avengers (2012)
22. Mark Wahlberg, 5’8”
An actor who can play both comedic and series parts is versatile, and Mark Wahlberg is one of those actors. Appearing in the Transformers franchise, Wahlberg has also starred in Ted and Uncharted. Though he doesn’t have any 2024 performances yet, we will see him in the upcoming Arthur the King.
– Notable Appearances: The Family Plan (2023), Uncharted (2022), Transformers: Age of Extinction (2014)
21. Oscar Isaac, 5’8”
If you haven’t watched Moon Knight yet on Disney+, I highly recommend you do so now. Oscar Isaac‘s performance as both Marc Spector and Steven Grant, who are two personalities stuck in one body is incredible, and not something many actors can achieve. Isaac has also appeared in the Dune and Star Wars franchises, making his mark in three of the biggest franchises right now. In 2024, Isaac will as a voice in Spiderman: Beyond the Spiderverse.
– Notable Appearances: Moon Knight (2022), Dune (2021), Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015)
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20. Tom Holland, 5’8”
Currently taking a hiatus from acting, Tom Holland has already put some impressive titles under his acting belt at only twenty-eight years old. Holland joined the Marvel crew as Spiderman, playing in three films already with a fourth movie possible, he has also played in The Devil All the Time and The Crowded Room. We cannot wait to see him in more films.
– Notable Appearances: The Crowded Room (2023), Spiderman No Way Home (2021), The Devil All the Time (2020)
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19. Zac Efron, 5’8”
Our next short Hollywood actor may be a little surprising, but Zac Efron is under average height by just one inch. Stunning viewers with his performance in The Iron Claw which came out in 2023, you may also remember him playing Troy in High School Musical. Putting his younger years aside, Efron has also turned heads in films such as The Greatest Showman and Baywatch. You will see him in 2024 playing Dean in Ricky Stanicky alongside John Cena, which looks to be quite funny.
– Notable Appearances: The Iron Claw (2023), The Greatest Showman (2017), Baywatch (2017)
18. Kit Harington, 5’7”
We have officially moved into the 5’7″ range with actor Kit Harington, which you all should recognize from the award-winning series Game of Thrones. More recently Harington has appeared in Eternals and the 2023 TV series Extrapolations. You may have even heard his voice as Eret in the franchise How to Train Your Dragon. One of his upcoming films is titled What Remains of Us, but does not have a clear release date yet.
– Notable Appearances: Eternals (2021), Game of Thrones (2011-2019), How to Train Your Dragon (2010)
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17. Jonah Hill, 5’7”
Jonah Hill is a great comedic actor, starring in films like 21 Jump Street and The Wolf of Wall Street. And, if you’re a How to Train Your Dragon fan you might recognize his voice as Snotlout, a head-strong friend of Hiccup’s. More recent appearances include Don’t Look Up and You People.
– Notable Appearances: You People (2023), Don’t Look Up (2021), 21 Jump Street (2012)
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16. Tom Cruise 5’7”
“I feel the need…the need for speed!” Tom Cruise is one of the most prominent action-movie stars on screen right now, starring in both the Mission Impossible and Top Gun franchises. Originally wanting to join the priesthood, we are immensely glad that he turned his sights towards acting instead. Though he doesn’t have any confirmed films in 2024, part two of Dead Reckoning is projected to come out in 2025.
– Notable Appearances: Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning (2023), Top Gun: Maverick (2022), The Outsiders (1983)
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15. James McAvoy, 5’7”
You also might know him as the young Professor Charles Xavier from X-Men, James McAvoy is a talented actor who has played parts in several different genres of films such as action and horror. In addition to being the Professor, McAvoy had leading roles in My Son, Glass, and Split. He is currently working on a film titled Speak No Evil that is slated to come out in 2024.
– Notable Appearances: My Son (2021), Glass (2019), X-Men Apocalypse (2016)
14. Martin Freeman, 5’6”
Our only five feet six inches actor on this list, Martin Freeman has been pushed to the front of the film industry with his latest role in Miller’s Girl, which came out in early 2024. Not only is Freeman in the Marvel Universe as Agent Everett Ross, but he played the famed Bilbo Baggins in The Hobbit trilogy. Make sure to watch Miller’s Girl, and keep an eye out for him in The Responder, a TV series that has continued into 2024.
– Notable Appearances: Miller’s Girl (2024), Cargo (2017), The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012)
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13. Daniel Radcliffe, 5’5”
I know what you’re all thinking – that’s Harry Potter! And you’re right, sort of. Daniel Radcliffe is the famed actor of the young wizard and staked his claim in the film industry early in his life. Nowadays he takes on more eccentric roles, in pieces like Weird, The Lost City, or Miracle Workers, but he did recently make a documentary in 2023 about his Harry Potter stunt double named David Holmes.
– Notable Appearances: David Holmes: The Boy Who Lived (2023), Weird (2022), Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001)
12. Ken Jeong, 5’5”
Our next chunk of actors all measure in at five feet five inches, and the first actor of the bunch is Ken Jeong. Currently hosting/judging on Masked Singer and I Can See Your Voice, you may recognize him in other film franchises. One of these franchises is The Hangover, a raunchy yet hysterical journey of four friends as they continually lose members of their group during crazy night-outs. The other is Transformers, though he plays a smaller part in these films.
– Notable Appearances: Crazy Rich Asians (2018), Transformers: Dark of the Moon (2011), The Hangover (2009)
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11. Josh Hutcherson, 5’5”
I know and love Josh Hutcherson from the Hunger Games films, where Hutcherson plays a baker’s son named Peeta Mellark who falls in love with Katniss as they dive into the Hunger Games arena. After his success as Peeta, Hutcherson also starred in movies like Five Nights at Freddy’s and Journey 2: The Mysterious Island. His newest part comes in the 2024 film The Beekeeper as he plays Derek Danforth.
– Notable Appearances: Five Nights at Freddy’s (2023), Journey 2: The Mysterious Island (2012), The Hunger Games (2012)
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10. David Spade, 5’5”
If you know Adam Sandler, then you should recognize David Spade, our next short Hollywood actor. Paired in several films, you can see Spade in Grown Ups, Grown Ups 2, or Sandy Wexler. If you want to watch Spade in other films, you can try out Joe Dirt, Tommy Boy, and hear his voice in Hotel Transylvania. He currently hosts the show called Snake Oil.
– Notable Appearances: Hotel Transylvania: Transformania (2022), Grown Ups (2010), Joe Dirt (2001)
9. Johnny Galecki, 5’5”
Most of you will recognize Johnny Galecki from The Big Bang Theory, where he played Leonard Hofstadter – Sheldon’s roommate and Penny’s lover for over a decade. Along with this role, Galecki has also appeared in several feature films such as National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, Suicide Kings, and Rings.
– Notable Appearances: The Big Bang Theory (2007-2019), Rings (2017), National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989)
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8. Jack Black, 5’5”
Of course, we can’t have the shortest Hollywood actors list without including the “Peaches” king Jack Black. Appearing in classics like School of Rock or King Kong, Black has also appeared in more recent films such as Jumanji, Goosebumps, and The Super Mario Bros Movie. In 2024, prepare to hear his voice in the next installment of Kung Fu Panda 4.
– Notable Appearances: The Super Mario Bros Movie (2023), Jumanji (2017), Kung Fu Panda (2008)
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7. Elijah Wood, 5’5”
Our next actor has also appeared in the Tolkien franchise, but this one is The Lord of the Rings. Elijah Wood played Frodo Baggins in the franchise, but these aren’t his only notable films. You can also watch Wood in No Man of God, I Don’t Feel at Home in this World Anymore, or Yellowjackets. He is working on two upcoming projects, but as of right now, they do not have release dates.
– Notable Appearances: No Man of God (2021), I Don’t Feel at Home in this World Anymore (2017), The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
6. Bradley Darryl Wong, 5’4”
We jump down to five feet four inches with Bradley Darryl (B.D.) Wong for our next shortest Hollywood actor. Present in the Jurassic Park franchise as Dr. Henry Wu, who creates and engineers new dinosaurs to grow up in the future, Wong has a long acting career. Other notable pieces he’s been in include Mr. Robot, Heart of Stone, Bird Box, and The Space Between Us.
– Notable Appearances: Mr. Robot (2015-2019), Mulan (1998), Jurassic Park (1993)
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5. Michael J. Fox, 5’3”
Our next actor has come “Back to the Future” for our article. Michael J. Fox starred as young Marty McFly in the Back to the Future franchise but is known more now for his 1991 Parkinson’s diagnosis, which has also stemmed the creation of the Michael J. Fox Foundation. While still acting, his other appearances include Spin City, The Frighteners, and Atlantis: The Lost Empire.
– Notable Appearances: Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie (2023), Atlantis: The Lost Empire (2001), Back to the Future (1985)
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4. Kevin Hart, 5’2”
Superstar comedian and actor, Kevin Hart is next on our list. Known for playing in comedic and action-packed films, we enjoy watching every movie that he stars in. Some prominent movies include Jumanji, Ride Along, Central Intelligence, and Fatherhood. His newest film came out in early 2024, titled Lift, where Hart stars as art thief Cyrus.
– Notable Appearances: Lift (2024), Jumanji: The Next Level (2019), Central Intelligence (2016)
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3. Elliot Page, 5’1”
Our next choice is not only an actor but an activist for LGBTQ communities as well. A proud trans-man, Elliot Page has received nominations for an Academy Award and two BAFTA Awards. In the film portion, you can see him in The Umbrella Academy, Juno, Inception, and X-Men: Days of Future Past.
– Notable Appearances: The Umbrella Academy (2019-Present), Flatliners (2017), Inception (2010)
2. Danny DeVito, 4’10”
We have officially dipped under the five-foot range with our last two shortest Hollywood actors. A spokesperson for Jersey Mike’s commercials, Danny DeVito is an established actor on stage, film, and television. Most recently, you can watch DeVito’s performances in Migration, Haunted Mansion, Poolman, or Little Demon.
– Notable Appearances: Haunted Mansion (2023), The Lorax (2012), Twins (1988)
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1. Peter Dinklage, 4’5” / Shortest Hollywood Actors
Last but most certainly not least is Peter Dinklage, our shortest Hollywood actor, measuring four feet and five inches. Winner of both an Emmy and a Golden Globe for his performance in Game of Thrones, Dinklage is no stranger to being center-screen. His most recent performance was Dean Casca Highbottom in the blockbuster film The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes in 2023.
– Notable Appearances: The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (2023), Cyrano (2021), Game of Thrones (2011-2019)