From Zac Efron to Mark Wahlberg: 27+ of Hollywood's Shortest Men Who Have Big Careers

They say that dynamite comes in small packages and some of our favorite Hollywood hunks are the perfect example. Gear up because this list of successful men in the industry who happen to be on the shorter end of the ruler is about to go down.

Mark Wahlberg - 5'8" (1.73m)

If you grew up in the '80s, you might recognize Mark as a member of The Funky Bunch. As seen on his family’s show, The Walhberg’s, Mark hails from a big, close-knit family. Compared to the rest of his siblings, Mark is actually one of the taller members.

In fact, the approximately 5'5" star is one of our tallest Hollywood celebs on this list! Mark's fame grew throughout the years thanks to his roles in over 50 movies and 5 television shows, and as a producer for over 20 titles. One of his claims to fame includes the Ted series, for which he won an MTV Movie & TV Award in 2013.

Zac Efron - 5'8" (1.73m)

Standing eye to eye with Wahlberg is Zac Efron. After Efron won over the hearts of millions of young adults in High School Musical, he showed us that his talents didn't stop there. He was then in films like The Greatest Showman and Neighbors. Zac made a name for himself as Troy, and made many of us wish we were his neighbor too!

Turns out Zac has more tricks up his sleeve! When he was on Ellen in 2012, he let the world know that he has a knack for guitar and admitted to Vogue that if he wasn't an actor, he'd most likely be a chef. Now that we've covered 2 Hollywood hunks, you know what you're in for. So, buckle up, because we're going down!

Jack Black - 5'7" (1.7m)

The hilarious Jack Black played a giant in Gulliver’s Travels. But in real life, the actor is around 5'7" tall. Black is known by many for his comedy skits in a multitude of movies. What you might not know, however, is that he is also an accomplished, singer, musician, songwriter, and YouTuber.

In 2018, the Shallow Hal, School of Rock, and Jumanji actor was given a star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame. In Total Film, he commented on his stature, saying, "I think I'm about 5'6.5," but I will often round up to the 5'7", although, in The St Louis Post Dispatch, he joked "I'm 5'7", 5'7.5" after doing my yoga."

Dave Franco - 5'7" (1.7m)

Now You See Me actor Dave Franco measures in at about 5'7" tall. Which is significantly shorter than his older brother James Franco, who is 5'11" tall. In an interview with MTV, Franco described himself as "A small shifty kind of guy," but that didn't stop him from marrying Alison Brie, whose got a couple of inches on him.

In 2020, Franco made his directorial debut with the horror-thriller, The Rental. The screenplay comes from a script that he co-wrote alongside Joe Swanberg. The movie came out in mid-July of 2020 and even starred his beautiful wife Alison as one of the characters.

Al Pacino - 5'7" (1.7m)

Al Pacino is known by many for his gangster roles, but according to Entertainment Weekly, his short stature almost cost him his role in The Godfather! During a Tribeca Film Festival discussion in 2017, The Godfather cast reunited and soon caught wind that Paramount producers wanted to change the movie's casting plan.

Paramount thought Pacino was "too short" for the role and wanted more of a Robert Redford-type instead. But, before Pacino panicked, director Francis Ford Coppola had his back and kept the movie plans as is. The Godfather was just 1 of about 50 films that Pacino had roles in since 1971.

Josh Hutcherson - 5'7" (1.7m)

When The Hunger Games series, actor Josh Hutcherson who played Peeta Mellark, met Katniss Everdeen, the rest, according to the games was history. While Peeta developed a crush on Katniss as a child, the pair went on to marry and have 2 children together throughout the movie series.

Given J-Law's height of nearly 5'9" compared to Hutcherson's height of about 5'7", the camera crew had their work cut out for them when it came to getting the perfect angle. Somehow, the crew managed to seamlessly keep this height difference a secret, as many believe it looks as normal as anything else on screen.

Ben Stiller - 5'7" (1.7m)

Having family in the industry seemed to set Ben Stiller up for success. His sister and father, Jerry Stiller, are also actors. This upbringing may have gotten his foot in the door, as Ben's acting debut was in his mom's TV series, Kate McShane. This sparked an idea, as he went on to produce and host his own, The Ben Stiller Show.

Ben once admitted in an interview that he considered his childhood was unusual, "In some ways, it was a show-business upbringing – a lot of traveling, a lot of late nights – not what you'd call traditional." Despite this, Stiller has starred in many movies in his time including 2001's Zoolander and 2016's Zoolander 2.

Tom Cruise - 5'7" (1.7m)

This tall drink of water is allegedly 5'7" tall. We say "allegedly" because there's a lot of speculation about the Top Gun star's height. Many people have tried to prove that he's closer to 5'5" tall. This usually wouldn't cause such an uproar, but it turned out that his loyal fans were even questioning if he was right for a role.

According to BBC, Cruise's height became an issue when he was cast as the lead role in the 2012 film Jack Reacher. The movie, a book series adaptation, is about a former military policeman. It had some people questioning the casting choice because the original character is described as 6'5", with hands "the size of dinner plates."

James McAvoy - 5'7" (1.7m)

In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, James McAvoy downplayed his leading-man status. "I'm 5'7," and I've got pasty white skin, I don't think I'm ugly, don't get me wrong, but I'm not your classic lead man, Brad Pitt guy." Although he may have doubted his abilities, some things may have changed since.

The LA Times interview was from 2007, when McAvoy was starring in a romantic war drama, Atonement. He more recently starred in 2016's Split, where he played 24 different characters, all living within a single body. If he didn't think he could do it back in 2007, we sure hope his opinion has changed since!

Dustin Hoffman - 5'6" (1.67m)

Dustin Hoffman has starred in many box office hits, including his film debut, The Graduate. The estimated 5'6" actor commented on his height to The Guardian, saying he was "Pleasantly surprised director Mike Nichols chose to give this short, funny-looking Jewish guy the role usually reserved for a tall, handsome protestant."

According to The Guardian, Hoffman holds the Guinness World Record for "Greatest Age Span Portrayed by a Movie Actor" for playing Jack Crabb in Little Big Man: A character he portrayed through the ages of 17 to 121. Little Big Man is just 1 of over 45 titles that the Academy Award-winning actor has been in between 1967-2017.

Aziz Ansari - 5'6" (1.67m)

In 2015, GQ Magazine applauded actor Aziz Ansari for outdressing fellow actor Jon Hamm and declared it a "win for short men worldwide." GQ took note of how well-tailored Ansari's suit was and called it a "Great example of how sometimes the clothes you're wearing can kick the [bleep] of a man almost a foot taller than you."

Is there a correlation between height and style? In all fairness, Hamm is said to be 6'2" tall, so it might be a bit of a stretch to declare him a whole foot taller than Ansari. No matter his physical height, Aziz has reached great strengths in the industry and winning several Emmys and a Golden Globe Award.

Bruno Mars - 5'5" (1.65m)

Whether there's a correlation or not, the estimated 5'5" singer-songwriter, record producer, and dancer is amazing just the way he is. Primarily known as a musician, the Uptown Funk singer has proved to be more than just a fedora-wearing superstar, with his music appearing in movies like Pitch Perfect and Friends with Benefits.

Bruno Mars is a double-digit Grammy winner who has come a long way since his days growing up in Hawaii. Though he was born as Peter Gene Bayot Hernandez, he told GQ Magazine in an interview that his father nicknamed him Bruno after the professional wrestler, Bruno Sammartino, who happened to be just a bit taller at around 5'10"!

Daniel Radcliffe - 5'5" (1.65m)

Did you know that the Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe is estimated to be 5'5"? During an interview with Playboy, he shared that he doesn't think his height is holding him back in Hollywood. In the interview, he was asked if his size limits the roles he plays. He responded: "I don't think so..."

"...Dustin Hoffman and Tom Cruise have very different careers, and they're both about the same height as I am. I could play a soldier. The minimum height for a marine is 5', and I'm well above that." Maybe he could lean into old habits and cast a spell for an extra inch or 2 if a role seems just out of reach.

Woody Allen - 5'5" (1.65m)

Writer and director Woody Allen has often starred in his own work, including 2 of his widely famous films, Annie Hall and Manhattan. He entered the comedy community at the age of 15 by writing jokes for a newspaper and has since dedicated more than 6 decades to the industry.

Not a lot could hold the talented director back on his path to success. However, as accomplished as Allen might be, he once reminisced that when he was in school as a teen, he "Failed to make the chess team because of [his] height." Evidently he has since overcome the situation, as he has moved on to bigger games since!

Ken Jeong - 5'5" (1.65m)

The hilarious Ken Jeong, famous for The Hangover and Community, is estimated to be 5'5". Aside from being an accomplished actor, the comedian received his M.D. certificate at the UNC School of Medicine in 1995. He was a general practitioner before switching to acting with his breakout role as a doctor in the comedy Knocked Up.

In fact, Jeong took a week off from his real doctor job so he could star as a doctor on screen. Despite being a licensed physician in the state of California, Jeong gave up his medical career to focus on acting instead. An actor doing something similar yet different is Johnny Galecki...or you might know him better as Leonard…

Johnny Galecki - 5'5" (1.65m)

The Big Bang Theory's physicist, Johnny Galecki, AKA Leonard, is estimated to be 5'5" tall. While he hasn't been widely quoted on height, he has shared that he thinks the image of geeks is changing. In an interview with The New York Times Arts Beat blog, he said, "Geeks are akin to modern-day rock stars..."

"...We have Nobel Prize winners asking if they can guest-star on the show," he continued. "The image of a scientist in the last 10 to 15 years has changed drastically. It used to be pasty guys in a basement with beakers, and now it's Steve Jobs — they're almost the rock stars of our age." Speaking of playing this type of role...

BD Wong - 5'5" (1.65m)

BD Wong, widely known for his role on Law and Order: SVU, stands at about 5'5" tall. While he may have played a somewhat small role, this was not enough for him. He spoke about wanting bigger parts in movies and being wary of roles that assign him to typical stereotypes.

When BD isn't backstage in Hollywood, he's on stage on Broadway! The multitalented man even won a Tony Award for his performance as Song Liling in M. Butterfly. With everything he's accomplished so far, it seems as though it would take a lot to keep this guy down. Lights, camera, action!

David Spade - 5'5" (1.65m)

As a 1990s cast member of Saturday Night Live, comedian and actor David Spade quickly rose to Hollywood stardom. But, did you know that he actually started as a writer for the show before becoming a cast member? We sure didn't, but that may explain why he could shine so brightly on set from his estimated 5'5" build.

In Spade's memoir, Almost Interesting, he details his life story. He wrote about several uncommonly-known facts. David didn't mention much about his height, but he did say that he was a spelling bee champion and read a total of 47 books in a year for a contest. Knowing this, we can't say we're surprised he has a way with words!

Nick Jonas - 5'5" (1.65m)

Nick Jonas fanatics surely remember his lavish 2018 wedding ceremonies with his wife, Priyanka Chopra. While the couple had 2 official weddings, fans not only ogled over their elegant attire and celebrations but also loved how much the couple embraced their height difference. Even on their wedding day, Priyanka wore heels.

They rocked their wedding looks in both ceremonies and gave us major heart eyes. In February 2019, the Jonas Brothers announced their reunion and released their first single in 6 years titled “Sucker.” Their 10th concert tour, Happiness Begins, started in 2019 and has us cranking the volume all the way up almost a year later.

Kevin Hart - 5'4.5" (1.63m)

Leave it to the hilarious, self-deprecating comedian Kevin Hart to embrace his height enough to crack jokes about it on stage in front of thousands of fans. In aVariety video, the Hobbs & Shaw actor said: "One thing you may not know about me is...I'm 5'4.5". A lot of people think it's just 5'4". It's not. 5"4.5"."

We hear you, Kevin, 5'4.5"! Hart is another man who is married to a taller woman, the beautiful Eniko Parrish. Their height difference doesn't seem to impact their relationship, as she rocks heels with nearly all of her red carpet looks, while his ear-to-ear smile speaks for itself.  

Lil Wayne - 5'4" (1.62m)

Dwayne Michael Carter Jr., more well known by his stage name, Lil Wayne, started his career at just 12 years old. After being discovered by fellow rapper, Birdman, he became the youngest member to join the Cash Money Records record label. The name seemed to suit him well already, as he was accomplishing so much at such a young age.

While celebrating the 20th anniversary of his debut solo album, Tha Block Is Hot; he took some time to reminisce on his years in the industry. He told Rolling Stone, "I was [an] only child, so whenever anybody came to the house, it was showtime." From a young age, he made more than a lil impact on his fans throughout the years.

Michael J. Fox - 5'4" (1.62m)

At an estimated 5'4" tall, Michael J. Fox, the award-winning Back to the Future star hasn't let much stop him from landing roles in over 35 titles in his Hollywood career. Despite being diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease, Fox has overcome many obstacles. Yet, he has managed to make a large impact on the screen.

Movies aside, Michael has been featured in over 40 shows, ranging from Scrubs and Phineas and Ferb to Saturday Night Live and 2020's The Good Fight. He directed and produced many titles between 1986 and 2014, including his own production, titled The Michael J. Fox Show.

Emilio Esteves - 5'4" (1.62m)

You might have never guessed based on his name alone that Emilio Estevez is actually brother to Charlie Sheen and son of Martin Sheen. But, we suppose taking a look through their accomplishments in Hollywood proves that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

Although Estevez's father chose to keep his stage name "Sheen," his son Emilio chose not to change his name in hopes that it would help him avoid riding on the backs of his father's coattails. Emilio has gone on to create a name for himself outside of his family, which we're sure must help him stand taller.

Charlie Chaplin - 5'4" (1.62m)

You've likely heard of this 5'4"-statured man from his most famous role in The Tramp, where he played a sweet man in a bowler hat; his look completed with a slick black mustache and a cane. Charlie Chaplin's height turned out to be a large advantage for the actor during the silent film era.

In fact, his obituary in The New York Times detailed that "Being small" helped Chaplin on screen." The Times reported that he had said: "If I am being treated harshly, it is always a big man who is doing it; so that, by the contrast between the big and the little, I get the sympathy of the audience."

Frankie Muniz - 5'4" (1.62m)

Malcolm in the Middle star Frankie Muniz was launched into Hollywood fame as the introduction of the 2000 sitcom hit the screens. In an interview, Muniz once commented that if he wasn't an actor, he claims his dream job would be being a drummer. In the Hollywood world, though, who says he can't do it all?

Speaking further on this, he said, "All I want to do is be a drummer. But I don't want to be known for it. I want to be John Mayer's drummer, in the background. I just go on stage, play the drums, nobody looks at me, and I leave. I just want to play music." Well, someone better call John, because Frankie is ready to jam!

Seth Green - 5'3" (1.6m)

Seth Green is among one of the shortest men in Hollywood, but his model-actress wife, Clare Grant, doesn't seem to mind at all. According to People, before they took on the red carpet, they bonded over a shared love of comics and fast food when they first met.

While Grant clocks in at about 5'7" and Green at 5'4", the couples' love is immeasurable. They first met in 2007 at Golden Apple Comics, which Green claimed is both of their favorite comic book stores. In fact, it wasn't an immediate spark that brought them together, but instead a shared love of comics, junk food, and TV!

Martin Scorsese - 5'3" (1.6m)

At 5'3" tall, it's not likely the Goodfellas director would have ever been a player on the basketball court. But, today, he's considered by many to be one of the most influential directors in Hollywood. The Academy Award winner has also dabbled in acting, with entertaining appearances on 30 Rock and Curb Your Enthusiasm.

Of all the Hollywood directors, Martin Scorsese arguably is one of the most influential and quirky. In his earlier days, he spent time at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, where he studied film making. He has said that "Helped him master his work behind the camera;" while he has also had some memorable appearances on screen.

Prince - 5'2" (1.57m)

1999’s Iconic singer also played his hand in acting, starring in the ‘84 film Purple Rain. The music legend and man with possibly the most fabulous and unique shoe collection was 5'2" tall but often wore heels. Sporting them when he performed, which made for some awesome footwork on stage, emphasizing his moves.

In fact, he was once quoted saying, "People say I'm wearing heels because I'm short. I wear heels because the women like 'em." Prince, a true music king who cared more about his craft than anything else, was married to Mayte Garcia, who loved heels on her feet and her hubby's feet and didn't seem to mind their height difference.

David Faustino - 5'2" (1.57m)

Recognized by many for his role as Bud Bundy in the 11-year Fox sitcom, Married…with Children, Faustino is not just an actor. We were surprised to learn that he is also a rapper and radio host, and you might be too! Who would've known? Despite these other ventures, Faustino credits his success and fame to the '87 comedy sitcom.

Faustino grew up filming the show, saying, "Basically, everything that I would do in my outside life ended in the…script, whether it was my battle with zits or just growing up." We can't imagine having our struggles with zits amplified to viewers worldwide, but if there's one thing we can imagine is that it paid off in the end!

Danny DeVito - 4'8" (1.42m)

In an interview with CBS Sunday Morning, the about 4'8" actor Danny DeVito discussed...well, being short. He explained that when he was in school, he wanted to be comfortable and have friends. He would try to compensate for his short height with a big personality. Despite that, he recalled being the most awkward at school dances.

The It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia star has multiple epiphyseal dysplasia, also known as Fairbank's disease, a genetic disorder that impacts bone growth. But, he overcame, and the Emmy-awarding winning actor is now thought of by many as a fan favorite across the board instead of a quirky kid in the cafeteria.