Bobby Darin's Height
5ft 8 (172.7 cm)
American Singer, best remembered for songs such as "Mack the Knife", "Dream Lover" and "Beyond he Sea". In a David Frost interview he reveals an interesting couple of facts:
"I went out and had these special shoes made. It's nothing new, I don't know if you know, John Wayne is 6'4 and wears 3-4 inch lifts in his shoes. I don't know who he wants to be bigger than, but he does and it an old, old custom, I certainly did not invent it. In my case, it was more necessary than it was for Duke Wayne. I had these shoes made and 2 to 3 inch lifts inside and the heel was another 2 and half inches or so and I walked around that way, wherever I could without falling over"
In a 1959 article just after he began to become famous with Splish Spash etc, it states "he stands five- nine-and-a-half".
"I went out and had these special shoes made. It's nothing new, I don't know if you know, John Wayne is 6'4 and wears 3-4 inch lifts in his shoes. I don't know who he wants to be bigger than, but he does and it an old, old custom, I certainly did not invent it. In my case, it was more necessary than it was for Duke Wayne. I had these shoes made and 2 to 3 inch lifts inside and the heel was another 2 and half inches or so and I walked around that way, wherever I could without falling over"
In a 1959 article just after he began to become famous with Splish Spash etc, it states "he stands five- nine-and-a-half".
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Add a Comment20 comments
Average Guess (8 Votes)
5ft 7.38in (171.1cm)
5ft 7.38in (171.1cm)
Richard said on 25/Dec/17
Sinatra was only 5'8" with lifts.
Sinatra was only 5'8" with lifts.
Dixon Ronk said on 16/Nov/17
5'7" to 5'8" sounds reasonable. Frank Sinatra was approximately 5'8" at the peak of his career with Bing Crosby being about 1/2" shorter (see High Society). Darin was no shorter than either. Sinatra wore shoes with Spanish heels, Crosby wore Elevator Shoes which added between 2" to 3". It is amazing how gracefully both danced considering the cumbersome nature of their footwear. Bobby Darin gave the illusion of being about 5'10". His contrived Elevator Shoes (2.5")
with Spanish heels (2.5") realistically added a net 3" in height. The additional height provided by high heels and/or Elevator platforms produce a net of only about 66%. So, 5'7" to 5'8" seems reasonable for Mr. Darin.
The best story regarding height for actors and comedians can be attributed to Morey Amsterdam of The Dick Van Dyke Show fame who wore shoes with lifts until his mid 60's.... and, overnight he lost 2" off his previously promoted 5'8" height. And, with the shrinking that accompanies aging, he was no more than 5'4" by the time he reached his 80's. Jan Murray, a very close friend, was complaining to Morey that his latest physical listed him at 5'11" and he was heart broken. He just couldn't accept that his former 6'1" frame had dropped him from the roster's of TALL and now listed him as only AVERAGE in height, but as he was telling this story, it dawned on him that the person to whom he was confiding was his best friend was now a tiny man of 5'4" and 86 years of age. Embarrassed, Murray began to smile as he conclude with "Morey, I guess it all adds up to 'the older you get the shorter you get'. I'll be happy just to reach your age,"
Morey smiled in return and said, "Jan, you'll be happy when you reach my height!" #30
5'7" to 5'8" sounds reasonable. Frank Sinatra was approximately 5'8" at the peak of his career with Bing Crosby being about 1/2" shorter (see High Society). Darin was no shorter than either. Sinatra wore shoes with Spanish heels, Crosby wore Elevator Shoes which added between 2" to 3". It is amazing how gracefully both danced considering the cumbersome nature of their footwear. Bobby Darin gave the illusion of being about 5'10". His contrived Elevator Shoes (2.5")
with Spanish heels (2.5") realistically added a net 3" in height. The additional height provided by high heels and/or Elevator platforms produce a net of only about 66%. So, 5'7" to 5'8" seems reasonable for Mr. Darin.
The best story regarding height for actors and comedians can be attributed to Morey Amsterdam of The Dick Van Dyke Show fame who wore shoes with lifts until his mid 60's.... and, overnight he lost 2" off his previously promoted 5'8" height. And, with the shrinking that accompanies aging, he was no more than 5'4" by the time he reached his 80's. Jan Murray, a very close friend, was complaining to Morey that his latest physical listed him at 5'11" and he was heart broken. He just couldn't accept that his former 6'1" frame had dropped him from the roster's of TALL and now listed him as only AVERAGE in height, but as he was telling this story, it dawned on him that the person to whom he was confiding was his best friend was now a tiny man of 5'4" and 86 years of age. Embarrassed, Murray began to smile as he conclude with "Morey, I guess it all adds up to 'the older you get the shorter you get'. I'll be happy just to reach your age,"
Morey smiled in return and said, "Jan, you'll be happy when you reach my height!" #30
Dixon Ronk said on 16/Nov/17
5'7" to 5'8" sounds reasonable. Frank Sinatra was approximately 5'8" at the peak of his career with Bing Crosby being about 1/2" shorter (see High Society). Darin was no shorter than either. Sinatra wore shoes with Spanish heels, Crosby wore Elevator Shoes which added between 2" to 3". It is amazing how gracefully both danced considering the cumbersome nature of their footwear. Bobby Darin gave the illusion of being about 5'10". His contrived Elevator Shoes (2.5")
with Spanish heels (2.5") realistically added a net 3" in height.
5'7" to 5'8" sounds reasonable. Frank Sinatra was approximately 5'8" at the peak of his career with Bing Crosby being about 1/2" shorter (see High Society). Darin was no shorter than either. Sinatra wore shoes with Spanish heels, Crosby wore Elevator Shoes which added between 2" to 3". It is amazing how gracefully both danced considering the cumbersome nature of their footwear. Bobby Darin gave the illusion of being about 5'10". His contrived Elevator Shoes (2.5")
with Spanish heels (2.5") realistically added a net 3" in height.
Steve said on 7/Feb/15
Please post photos showing John Wayne wearing lifts.
You can't because he never did.
Please post photos showing John Wayne wearing lifts.
You can't because he never did.
Tex said on 5/Feb/15
At least Darin admitted he wore lifts, unlike the Duke who tried to keep it a secret until over a dozen actors leaked the truth.
At least Darin admitted he wore lifts, unlike the Duke who tried to keep it a secret until over a dozen actors leaked the truth.
Jud said on 9/Jan/15
Darin was closer to 5'9"than the ridiculous measurements lower down
Darin was closer to 5'9"than the ridiculous measurements lower down
Arch Stanton said on 8/Nov/13
Try watching the movie Knowit all, Darin looked 8-9 inches shorter than Rock, he wasn't shoulder level, more lip level.
Try watching the movie Knowit all, Darin looked 8-9 inches shorter than Rock, he wasn't shoulder level, more lip level.
Arch Stanton said on 8/Nov/13
Yeah he looks around 5'8 next to Rock Hudson in Come September.
Yeah he looks around 5'8 next to Rock Hudson in Come September.
Matt said on 20/Sep/13
Huh, maybe he could have been shorter than 5'8". Suspicious lifter right there.
Huh, maybe he could have been shorter than 5'8". Suspicious lifter right there.
Knowitall said on 30/Apr/13
Darin was about five seven. He could have even been five six and worn lifts.
I once saw Andy Williams in person and was surprised how short he was. I'd say no more than five six.
In the video clip, five foot ten Vic Damon towers over both Darin and Williams.
Scroll down to the sixth photo and check him out next to six five Rock Hudson:
Click Here
Darin comes up to Rock's shoulder making Rock appear to be a full head taller.
Darin made no secret he was short and even mentioned it in his act in Las Vegas.
Darin was about five seven. He could have even been five six and worn lifts.
I once saw Andy Williams in person and was surprised how short he was. I'd say no more than five six.
In the video clip, five foot ten Vic Damon towers over both Darin and Williams.
Scroll down to the sixth photo and check him out next to six five Rock Hudson:
Click Here
Darin comes up to Rock's shoulder making Rock appear to be a full head taller.
Darin made no secret he was short and even mentioned it in his act in Las Vegas.
Matt said on 28/Oct/12
I was saying that Andy Williams was 5'6.5. Darin seems about 5'8.
I was saying that Andy Williams was 5'6.5. Darin seems about 5'8.
mcfan said on 31/Aug/12
Right on, Matt. 5'6.5 Darin was.
Right on, Matt. 5'6.5 Darin was.
sf said on 5/Jun/08
I'm gonna say 5'8" with lifts which he admittedly wore.
I'm gonna say 5'8" with lifts which he admittedly wore.
sf said on 5/Jun/08
Watched a special on Mike Douglas the other night. Mike was standing next to John Lennon. John had Mike by an inch. Admittedly, I didn't look at footwear. The next scene had Mike and Bobby Darin. Mike had Bobby by at least 2 inches. If Lennon is 5'9", that puts Darin at 5'6". If 5'10", we've got Darin at 5'7".
Watched a special on Mike Douglas the other night. Mike was standing next to John Lennon. John had Mike by an inch. Admittedly, I didn't look at footwear. The next scene had Mike and Bobby Darin. Mike had Bobby by at least 2 inches. If Lennon is 5'9", that puts Darin at 5'6". If 5'10", we've got Darin at 5'7".
sf said on 19/May/08
I've read 5'6".
I've read 5'6".
mcfan said on 19/May/08
I have This is Tom Jones on video. He is roughly 3.5 inches shorter than Tom on the show. They're bothing wearing large heels. My estimate of Tom was 5'11 so 5'7.5 would be about right.
I have This is Tom Jones on video. He is roughly 3.5 inches shorter than Tom on the show. They're bothing wearing large heels. My estimate of Tom was 5'11 so 5'7.5 would be about right.
Joanne said on 4/Mar/08
He was a friend of our family. My dad was 5'9 and we have home movies of them walking side by side - they are the same size - no lifts yet - this was early in his career.
He was a friend of our family. My dad was 5'9 and we have home movies of them walking side by side - they are the same size - no lifts yet - this was early in his career.
Joanne said on 4/Mar/08
He was a friend of out family. My dad was 5'9 and we have home movies of them walking side by side - they are the same size - no lifts yet - this was early in his career.
He was a friend of out family. My dad was 5'9 and we have home movies of them walking side by side - they are the same size - no lifts yet - this was early in his career.
Anthony said on 17/Aug/07
Bobby was about 5'7 or 5'8 I say. Like Sinatra he was a slim guy who wore lifts and had good proportions so he could look tallish when seen alone. He was also a tremendous talent who left us way too soon.
Bobby was about 5'7 or 5'8 I say. Like Sinatra he was a slim guy who wore lifts and had good proportions so he could look tallish when seen alone. He was also a tremendous talent who left us way too soon.
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