Height doesn’t define a man… or a woman in this case! Hollywood is full of tall, modelesque people, but that’s not all there is. These short women have cooked up a storm in the industry and made their indelible mark with their work. Here are some of the shortest women in Hollywood whose confidence and career are much higher than their height.
Nicole Richie //5’1″
Nicole Richie might have starred in a show called The Simple Life with fellow socialite Paris Hilton, but her life is anything but simple. The fashion designer stood below her companion – her height was only 5’1″ compared to Hilton’s 5’8″.
Now, the short actress is married, has a successful fashion line, book deals, and a role in the sitcom Great News. Who says your height has to be the only way to stand tall?
Anna Kendrick //5’2″
Anna Kendrick’s role as the annoying Jessica Stanley in the Twilight series put her in the spotlight. Still, her stint as the Barden Bellas and her “Cup Song” in Pitch Perfect propelled her into Hollywood celebrity status.
Since then, the actress has been on a constant roller coaster, appearing in movies and TV shows. But the surprising fact is that even though she’s reached so high in her career, she only measures about 5’2″ in reality.
Emilia Clarke //5’2″
This actress has proven that height is only a number! After all, this 5’2″ shorty has played one of the most formidable female characters on television – the Mother of Dragons.
The Game of Thrones actress achieved global fame with her role as Daenerys Targaryen and has only risen higher since then, even without her dragons. She’s since then decided to make her love stories a little more tame and acted in films like Me Before You and Last Christmas.
Ariana Grande // 5’1”
Ariana Grande might have one of Hollywood’s highest pitches and ponytails, but the same can’t be said for her height. The 5’1″ singer’s high heels on the red carpet, and her outstanding performances on stage make her seem much taller, both in stature and talent.
The “7 Rings” singer is a favorite of many fans, with her music videos having over nine billion views!
Scarlett Johansson //5’3″
ScarJo has received high praise throughout her lustrous career, from laurels for her acting prowess to magazine spreads dedicated to her flawless beauty. In front of her upstanding career, it’s hard to remember that the actress is just 5’3″.
The Black Widow actress’s height is not a topic of discussion while she’s wowing the audience with her style in the Avenger series or her etherealness in Lost in Translation.
Mila Kunis //5’4″
No, you wouldn’t call Mila Kunis very short, but she is compared to tall actresses in Hollywood. But her 5’4″ frame has nothing to do with her larger-than-life personality.
Kunis gained recognition for her role in That ’70s Show, where she starred alongside her now-husband, Ashton Kutcher. Since then, the actress has gained prominence for her fairytale love story with Kutcher, her bubbly appearance on talk shows, and her performances in Family Guy and Black Swan.
Kim Kardashian //5’2″
The world’s most famous reality TV star, the woman who pushed the Kardashians into global fame, Kim Kardashian, is a brand unto herself. Despite her short 5’2″ stature, Kim K is a presence you can’t ignore, no matter where she is.
The entrepreneur has a beauty line, fragrance line, and shapewear, amongst others. Her high-profile drama with Kanye West, her constant breaking of the internet, her four children, and everything else has turned the socialite into a celebrity famous for being famous.
Lucy Hale //5’2″
The adorable Lucy Hale, or as teen girls all over know her, Aria Montgomery, is the ultimate girl-next-door. After her years as Aria in the teen drama Pretty Little Liars, the actress has gone on to do beloved roles in multiple romantic comedies like The Hating Game.
Also a country musician and a People’s Choice Award winner, the actress perfectly encapsulates the spirit of a 5’2″ lady!
Kylie Minogue // 5’0”
You know you can’t get her out of your head once you hear her voice! We’re talking about Kylie Minogue, who has dominated the international pop and dance charts.
The “Slow” singer stands only at a meager 5 feet, but her voice is much bigger than that. With seven UK number ones under her belt and numerous awards, the Australian singer is a force to be reckoned with!
Reese Witherspoon //5’1″
From playing the brainy beauty Elle Wood in Legally Blonde to starting a book club, Reese is one of the most coveted stars in the world. Reese Witherspoon has conquered Hollywood through and through!
The 5′ 1″ actresses’ production house Hello Sunshine is responsible for some of the best book-to-screen adaptations like Big Little Lies and Gone Girl. And her celebrity book club is a sure-shot way for a book to step into the bestselling list.
Salma Hayek //5’2″
This beauty has used her less-than-average height to her advantage and bagged roles made especially for short women. Her 5’2″ height came in handy when she bagged the role of artist Frida Kahlo, who stood at just 5’3″.
This role propelled Hayek into stardom and also into the nominee list for an Academy Award. Since then, she’s continued to work in movies and TV shows like 30 Rock and actively works for specific charities.
Kristen Bell //5’1″
Kristen Bell’s list of achievements is longer than her 5’1″ stature. Bell started working on Broadway but since then, she’s moved on to conquer the small, big, and even animated screens!
Her famous works include Veronica Mars, The Good Place, and Forgetting Sarah Marshall. Her melodic voice has gotten her separate recognition for voicing Anna from Frozen and Gossip Girl from Gossip Girl!
Hayden Panettiere //5’0″
For a total of 5 feet in height, nobody would call Hayden Panettiere tall or above average in any way. But the beautiful actress’s lack of inches in the vertical department is in no way determinant of her ability to own a room with her presence.
Panettiere’s breakthrough role was as the cheerleader in the sci-fi TV show Heroes. Her illustrious career, which she started at just one-year-old, is not the extent of her amazingness. She’s also heavily involved in charity work.
Nicki Minaj //5’2″
Being 5’2″ tall, her confidence reaches the skies. Since her first charted song, rapper Nicki Minaj has been bold, unapologetic, and a Billboard-favorite artist.
Minaj gained prominence with singles like “Starships” and “Superbass.” Since then, she’s been a feature in the news for so much more than just her music! Public feuds with other artists, scandalous songs, and her outspoken nature make Nicki Minaj an artist that can’t be kept down.
Lena Dunham //5’3″
The woman who created, wrote, and starred in the HBO hit Girls, Lena Dunham, is a force to be reckoned with. The show is a fan-favorite and was revolutionary when it came out.
The multi-talented lady stands at only 5’3″ but has always preferred to talk about subjects that need talking about. Her out-of-the-box ideas and outspoken nature may have landed her in hot water sometimes, but they’ve also made her one of the most influential ladies in Hollywood.
tar Troy Bolton melted many hearts in adoration and jealousy. The reign of Gabriella and Troy may be a decade old, but Hudgens continues to spread cheer by starring in Christmas rom-coms and modern fairytales.
Mary-Kate Olsen // 5’2”
Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen are probably the most successful and famous twins ever born, and they’ve ruled Hollywood for a long time. The twins have had their line of books, movies, TV shows, clothing line – you name it, they’ve done it.
These fashionistas, however, didn’t luck out in the height department. Twin Mary-Kate, the taller of the two, stands at just 5’2″. That’s a far shorter cry from the height of her former husband, Olivier Sarkozy, who dwarfed her at 6’2″.
Ashley Olsen //5’1″
The second half of the Olsen twins, Ashley, is the shorter one of the two. Ashley Olsen stands at just 5’1″. Alongside sister Mary-Kate, the multi-talented duo became successful even before they could walk, with their shared role as Michelle Tanner in Full House.
The short height of the twins is even more apparent in front of the third Olsen sister, the young actress Elizabeth, who towers over the two at 5′ 5″.
Natalie Portman // 5’3”
Nobody can look at the suave Natalie Portman and guess that she’s just 5’3″. The actress seems much taller than her short height, due to her lean physique and bone structure.
The Golden Globe winner has starred in many famous Hollywood productions, but some of her most notable projects include Black Swan, V for Vendetta, and Thor. Now, she’s picked up the hammer to star as Lady Thor in the Marvel Universe.
Amy Poehler //5’2″
Actress, director, comedian, writer, producer, voice artist – it’s hard to summarize the magnetic Amy Poehler in just a few sentences. Poehler is best known for her work in the NBC sitcom Parks and Recreation.
The small-town sitcom is one of the most heartwarming and funny TV shows to have graced the small screen, and the 5’2″ Poehler is at the center of everything that makes it magical.
Eva Longoria / 5’2″
The beautiful Eva Longoria is probably best known for her role as Gabriella Solis on Desperate Housewives. Apart from that, she’s appeared in many movies like For Greater Glory and Overboard.
The 5’2″ actress also guest stars in many TV shows, including a small stint as Sophia in Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Apart from an illustrious acting career, she’s also part of several advertising campaigns with brands like L’Oreal.
Jada Pinkett-Smith // 5’0”
Jada Pinkett-Smith is currently most well known for the Oscar controversy starring Will Smith and Chris Rock. But before that, Jada had a pretty successful career with roles in the Matrix franchise and Gotham.
However, the actress clocks at only 5’0″, a vastly lesser height than her other family members. Husband Will Smith stands tall at 6’2″ while children Willow and Jaden are both 5’7″.
