Actresses Who Are Taller Than Their Leading Men

For years, Hollywood has had unwritten rules about how tall leading actors and actresses should be. However, many successful women have defied this expectation by being taller than their co-stars. These actresses confidently embrace their height, even though the industry traditionally prefers a different look. This list showcases women who have appeared alongside—or even towered over—shorter men, both in major films and smaller independent projects. These pairings prove that what truly matters is talent and connection, not height.

Nicole Kidman

Nicole Kidman was noticeably taller than Tom Cruise both during their marriage and while working together on films like ‘Days of Thunder’ and ‘Eyes Wide Shut’. After their divorce, Kidman discussed feeling comfortable wearing heels, something she hadn’t fully felt able to do before. At five feet eleven inches tall, she’s become well-known as a leading actress who is taller than many of her male co-stars, and her height was always striking when she appeared on screen with Cruise.

Zendaya

Zendaya is a few inches taller than her boyfriend and “Spider-Man” co-star, Tom Holland, and people have noticed since they first appeared together on screen. Their height difference was especially visible in the “Spider-Man: Homecoming” movies, where they played a couple. Both actors have playfully acknowledged the difference in interviews, saying it hasn’t affected their connection. Many fans appreciate that they represent a more realistic portrayal of relationships in Hollywood. Zendaya is five feet ten inches tall, while Tom Holland is around five feet eight inches.

Sophie Turner

Sophie Turner is noticeably taller than her husband, Joe Jonas, and was often one of the tallest people on set during her time on ‘Game of Thrones’. At five feet nine inches tall, she stood out among her costars. She often wears heels, which makes the height difference between her and Jonas even more apparent. The couple embraces this difference and confidently poses for photos together. Her height also helped her embody the strong and dignified presence of her character, Sansa Stark.

Gwendoline Christie

Gwendoline Christie is a remarkably tall actress, standing at six feet three inches, and she’s become well-known for using her height in her roles. Most notably, she played Brienne of Tarth in ‘Game of Thrones,’ where the character’s physical strength and stature were key parts of who she was. She often towers over her male colleagues, like Nikolaj Coster-Waldau and Kit Harington, and has successfully incorporated her height into both her acting and modeling work, including her role in ‘Star Wars: The Last Jedi.’ Her distinctive presence makes her a standout figure in the entertainment world.

Uma Thurman

Uma Thurman is a striking six feet tall, and throughout her career, she’s often towered over her co-stars. She was even taller than her ex-husband, Ethan Hawke, and has worked with many actors shorter than herself. In the ‘Kill Bill’ movies, her height and long limbs actually enhanced her character’s powerful and athletic performance. Thurman is considered a role model for tall women in Hollywood, proving that height doesn’t limit leading roles in action or dramatic films.

Sigourney Weaver

Sigourney Weaver paved the way for taller actresses in Hollywood, standing at an impressive five feet eleven inches. She was often taller than her male co-stars in the popular ‘Alien’ films, where she played the unforgettable Ellen Ripley. Early in her career, Weaver faced challenges finding roles because of her height. However, she ultimately became a celebrated star, known for her strong and confident presence on screen. She remains a respected figure, demonstrating that height can actually be an advantage for actors.

Charlize Theron

Charlize Theron is a striking six feet tall, and frequently towers over her co-stars and partners – she was visibly taller than ex-boyfriend Sean Penn in public. Known for her diverse roles, from the powerful warrior in ‘Mad Max: Fury Road’ to the elegant spy in ‘Atomic Blonde’, her height adds to her commanding presence and makes her particularly impressive in action scenes. Theron continues to be a highly successful and in-demand actress in Hollywood.

Brooke Shields

Brooke Shields became famous very young, and she quickly grew taller than many of her fellow actors. During filming of ‘The Blue Lagoon,’ she was already nearly her full height of six feet, making her taller than her co-star, Christopher Atkins. Shields has frequently talked about how being a tall woman presented difficulties in an industry that often favors shorter actresses. Despite this, she’s had a successful career in both movies and TV, and remains proud of her height. It became a key part of her image, contributing to her success as both a supermodel and actress.

Katie Holmes

During her marriage, Katie Holmes was often noticeably taller than Tom Cruise. At 5’9″, she was significantly taller than him, especially when wearing heels at public events. The media often commented on their height difference during red carpet appearances. Since their split, Holmes has continued to confidently showcase her height, and she remains a popular figure in the fashion industry, where her tall stature is well-regarded.

Cameron Diaz

Cameron Diaz is quite tall, standing at five feet nine inches, and has often been taller than her co-stars and partners. For example, she was noticeably taller than Tom Cruise while filming ‘Knight and Day,’ and she’s also taller than her husband, Benji Madden. Her height and athletic physique were often showcased in roles like ‘Charlie’s Angels,’ where she played a dynamic action hero. Diaz has always seemed comfortable and confident with her height, no matter who she’s with.

Geena Davis

Geena Davis is a striking six-foot-tall actress who has frequently leveraged her height in her roles, often portraying strong and commanding characters. She’s notably taller than many of her co-stars, including Michael Keaton in ‘Speechless’. Beyond her physical presence, Davis is a passionate advocate for gender equality and body diversity in film and television. Her height was particularly fitting for roles like the baseball player she portrayed in ‘A League of Their Own’, and she continues to be one of the most well-known tall actresses in the industry.

Mandy Moore

Mandy Moore is quite tall, standing at five feet ten inches, which actually made her taller than her co-star Shane West in the movie ‘A Walk to Remember’. The filmmakers had to cleverly use camera angles and other techniques to make them appear closer in height during filming. Since then, Moore has enjoyed a thriving career in both music and television, most notably with her long-running role on ‘This Is Us’. She often playfully talks about being tall and the challenges and experiences that come with it as a woman in Hollywood. For over twenty years, her poise and talent have made her a beloved figure with fans.

Liv Tyler

Liv Tyler stands at an impressive five feet ten inches, and she’s often noticeably taller than her male costars. This was particularly true when she filmed ‘Inventing the Abbotts’ with Joaquin Phoenix. Her height also proved fitting for her elegant elven character in the ‘Lord of the Rings’ trilogy, enhancing the character’s otherworldly appearance. Throughout her career, she’s frequently been paired with leading men who are shorter than her, and she always carries herself with a grace that suits her tall frame.

Brigitte Nielsen

Brigitte Nielsen gained recognition partly because she was taller than her then-husband, Sylvester Stallone, when they were a prominent couple in Hollywood. At six feet one inch tall, she starred with Stallone in the films ‘Cobra’ and ‘Rocky IV’. Nielsen’s height often made her stand out next to her co-stars, becoming a well-known part of her image in the 1980s. Her stature and athletic physique enabled her to play strong, unconventional roles that broke from typical portrayals of women in movies. She has consistently discussed how her height impacted her career.

Rhea Perlman

Rhea Perlman is notable because she’s actually taller than her husband, Danny DeVito, despite not being considered particularly tall herself. Perlman is five feet tall, while DeVito is around four feet ten inches. The couple famously worked together on the sitcom ‘Taxi’ and the movie ‘Matilda’. Their height difference hasn’t caused any problems in their long and successful relationship, and they’re still considered one of Hollywood’s favorite couples.

Allison Janney

Allison Janney is a tall actress, standing at six feet, and has talked about how her height affected the kinds of roles she got. She often finds herself towering over her male colleagues on set, both in movies and on TV. Known for her work in shows like ‘The West Wing’ and her Oscar-winning performance in ‘I, Tonya,’ Janney uses her stature to bring a sense of strength and depth to the powerful characters she plays. Many consider her one of the best character actresses in the business.

Elizabeth Debicki

I’ve always been struck by Elizabeth Debicki’s incredible presence – she’s six foot three, which is seriously tall! It really worked to her advantage in ‘The Night Manager’ alongside Tom Hiddleston, making her character even more graceful. You might also recognize her from ‘The Great Gatsby’ or, more recently, as Princess Diana in ‘The Crown’. Apparently, filmmakers sometimes have to get creative with the camera when she’s acting with shorter co-stars, just to keep things looking balanced on screen. But she’s said she loves being tall and sees it as a real strength in her career, and honestly, I can totally see why!

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley is a well-known actress and model who is noticeably taller than her partner, Jason Statham. At five feet nine inches tall, and often wearing heels, their height difference is especially visible at events. She’s starred in popular action movies like ‘Transformers: Dark of the Moon’ and ‘Mad Max: Fury Road’. Despite the height difference, the couple is celebrated for their impeccable style, and Rosie’s height adds to her strong presence in both fashion and film.

Erin Darke

Erin Darke is an actress who’s appeared in shows like ‘Good Girls Revolt’. She’s also well-known for being in a long-term relationship with Daniel Radcliffe. Notably, Darke is several inches taller than Radcliffe, which is often apparent when they attend public events – she’s five feet seven inches tall, while he’s around five feet five inches. The couple has been together for many years and doesn’t seem to mind the height difference at all. Fans often admire them for being a grounded and supportive couple.

Sophie Dahl

Sophie Dahl, a former model and actress, is notably taller than her musician husband, Jamie Cullum. She’s six feet tall, while he’s around five feet five inches. The couple’s height difference has often been a subject of gossip, but they’ve always taken it in stride with good humor. Throughout her career, Dahl has also become a successful author and has appeared on television. She continues to be a well-known personality who challenges typical expectations about couples’ height differences.

Tina Fey

Tina Fey is a bit taller than her husband, Jeff Richmond, who works as a composer and director. Although the height difference isn’t huge, it’s often visible when they walk red carpets, especially since Fey frequently wears heels. Fey is a well-known comedic force, famous for her work on ‘Saturday Night Live’ and as the creator of ‘30 Rock.’ She often makes light of her appearance in her comedy. Ultimately, her thriving career and happy marriage prove that height isn’t important when you have talent and a strong connection with someone.

Janet McTeer

Janet McTeer is a celebrated British actress known for her striking height – she’s six feet one inch tall! Throughout her career, she’s often been taller than the men she’s acted with, both on stage and in films. She earned an Academy Award nomination for her performance in ‘Tumbleweeds’ and also appeared in the popular series ‘Ozark’. Her height contributes to her powerful presence, making her particularly well-suited for strong roles in classic plays. She remains a popular choice for playing complex and commanding characters.

Kristen Johnston

Kristen Johnston is best known for playing a character on the sitcom ‘3rd Rock from the Sun,’ and her impressive height – six feet tall – was often used for comedic effect. She’s written a memoir detailing her life and career, including what it was like navigating Hollywood as a tall woman. A multiple Emmy Award winner, Johnston continues to be a recognizable and energetic figure in the entertainment world. Her height was a key part of creating a unique and memorable character in her most famous role, allowing for a very physical style of comedy.

Aisha Tyler

Aisha Tyler is a striking figure, standing at six feet tall, and frequently towers over others on TV. She’s a multi-talented actress, director, and host, known for her work on shows like ‘Criminal Minds’ and ‘Archer’. Tyler has openly discussed the difficulties of being a tall woman, both in dating and in the entertainment business. She’s known for her confidence and inspires many other tall women. Her height, combined with her skills, has helped her build a thriving career in various forms of media.

Famke Janssen

Famke Janssen is a Dutch actress known for her height – she’s six feet tall – and for playing strong characters. Many know her as Jean Grey from the ‘X-Men’ movies, where she often stood taller than her fellow actors. She also played a notable villain in the James Bond film ‘GoldenEye’. Her impressive stature and appearance have made her well-suited for action and sci-fi roles, and she continues to be a busy actress in both movies and TV.

Tilda Swinton

Tilda Swinton is a striking six feet tall and famous for her distinctive, gender-neutral appearance. She’s often taller than her male co-stars, as seen in films like ‘Michael Clayton’ and ‘Only Lovers Left Alive’. Swinton is incredibly adaptable and transforms herself for each role, and her height and slim build help with this. Widely considered one of the most gifted actresses of her generation, her height adds to her mesmerizing and unique presence on screen.

Saffron Burrows

Saffron Burrows is a tall actress, standing at six feet, with a long and successful career in both movies and TV. She’s known for roles in films like ‘Deep Blue Sea’ and the series ‘Boston Legal,’ where her height was frequently commented on. Interestingly, she often towers over her male co-stars, but this hasn’t hindered her career at all. Beyond acting, Burrows is a skilled cellist and has even incorporated her musical abilities into some of her performances. Her combination of height and elegance makes her a memorable presence in everything she does.

Leslie Jones

Leslie Jones is a hilarious and commanding comedian, known for being six feet tall. While on ‘Saturday Night Live,’ she often towered over her co-stars and male guest hosts. Her height also played a key role in her performance in the ‘Ghostbusters’ reboot, where she showcased her physical comedy skills. Throughout her career, Jones has openly celebrated her body and height, and she remains a beloved figure in both stand-up and film.

Missi Pyle

Missi Pyle is a talented actress known for playing a wide range of characters. At five feet eleven inches tall, she’s appeared in many popular films, including ‘Galaxy Quest’ and ‘Dodgeball.’ Often, she’s taller than her male co-stars in comedies. Directors appreciate her height and expressive features, which help her create distinctive and memorable characters. She’s been consistently working and successful in Hollywood for many years.

Adrianne Palicki

Adrianne Palicki is a tall actress, standing at five feet eleven inches, and she’s become well-known for her work in action-packed shows and movies. You might recognize her from ‘Friday Night Lights’ or as the character Mockingbird in ‘Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.’. She was even chosen to play Wonder Woman in a television pilot, and her height was considered important for the role. Because she’s often taller than her scene partners, especially in action or romantic scenes, she naturally excels in superhero projects.

Rebecca Romijn

Rebecca Romijn, who stands at six feet tall, began her career as a model before becoming an actress. She’s best known for playing Mystique in the original ‘X-Men’ movies, where her height was a key part of the character’s appearance. Romijn has also appeared in the TV series ‘The Librarians’ and ‘Star Trek: Strange New Worlds’. Because of her height, she often towers over her male co-stars, especially when wearing costumes or heels. Her impressive stature has been a noticeable part of her public image since the beginning of her career.

Daryl Hannah

Daryl Hannah, who is six feet tall, became a popular actress in the 1980s with movies like ‘Splash’. She was notably taller than many of her co-stars, even Tom Hanks in their well-known romantic comedy. Hannah also used her height to her advantage when playing the tough assassin Elle Driver in the ‘Kill Bill’ films. Throughout her long and successful career, she’s been admired for her striking looks and dedication to protecting the environment, taking on a diverse range of unforgettable roles.

Anjelica Huston

Anjelica Huston, a member of a famous Hollywood family, stands at an impressive five feet ten inches tall. She was noticeably taller than her partner of many years, Jack Nicholson. A celebrated actress and director, Huston has received an Academy Award and is best known for playing Morticia Addams in ‘The Addams Family’. Her height and striking looks often create a powerful and commanding presence when she’s on screen, and she continues to be a well-respected figure in the film industry.

Jane Lynch

Jane Lynch is a well-known comedic actress who stands six feet tall. She became famous playing Sue Sylvester on the show ‘Glee’, and her height is often used for laughs in her performances – she’s usually taller than everyone else on set! A talented and award-winning performer, Lynch frequently hosts TV specials and game shows, using her impressive stature and commanding presence to great effect.

Lucy Lawless

Lucy Lawless, who is six feet tall, became famous for her role as the title character in ‘Xena: Warrior Princess’. Her height and fit physique were ideal for playing a powerful ancient warrior, and she often towered over her costars. She’s continued to appear in popular shows like ‘Spartacus’ and ‘Parks and Recreation’, but she’s still best remembered for her iconic portrayal of Xena, a defining example of a strong, tall woman leading a television series.

Tell us which of these iconic height differences surprised you the most in the comments.

2026-02-16 08:19