Brian Donlevy's Height
5ft 8 (172.7 cm)
American actor best remembered for roles in films such as The Great McGinty, The Quatermass Xperiment, Impact, Hangmen Also Die!, Destry Rides Again, The Miracle of Morgan's Creek, Kiss of Death and Beau Geste. In a 1971 biography by Veronica Lake, she mentioned "Brian Donlevy is a very solid 200 pounds on a five-feet, eight-inch frame. He wasn't expecting much of a punch from 104 [pound] Veronica.".
By Batten, Barton, Durstine & Osborn, via Wikimedia Commons
By Batten, Barton, Durstine & Osborn, via Wikimedia Commons
Donlevy is built like a wrestler and is so broad across his shoulders that it seems to cut down his height about 4 inches. Time after time...Donlevy [has heard the same criticism]: "The part is a 'natural' for you, Brian, but you're just a little too short."
"This physical phenomenon nearly nipped my career...Bill Harris was to produce 'Three in One'...After days of negotiations Harris called me into his office to break the sad news."
"I'm sorry, Brian," he said, 'but I can't use you in the play. You are just the man I want, except that the character must be a 6-footer.'
"'You mean that if I were 6 feet tall, I could have the part?' I asked Harris.
"'Absolutely,' was the answer. "That was enough. I walked over to the wall, backed against it and chalked off a mark just above my head. Harris measured the distance, found it a shade over the required 6 feet and gave me the job."
- 1939
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Add a Comment7 comments
Average Guess (2 Votes)
5ft 8in (172.7cm)
5ft 8in (172.7cm)
greg99 said on 25/Feb/22
Described by an old time filmmaker I know “as not ever being 'made up' but rather 'assembled ( girdle, wig, teeth, elevator shoes)”. 5’8” is probably near the mark but I suspect may have been somewhat smaller than that. I thought Brian was a really good actor in the right movie - I didn’t like his Quatermass interpretation but in classic Hollywood movies like Beau Geste he was great.
Described by an old time filmmaker I know “as not ever being 'made up' but rather 'assembled ( girdle, wig, teeth, elevator shoes)”. 5’8” is probably near the mark but I suspect may have been somewhat smaller than that. I thought Brian was a really good actor in the right movie - I didn’t like his Quatermass interpretation but in classic Hollywood movies like Beau Geste he was great.
Miss Sandy Cowell said on 4/Nov/20
This poor sausage needs a comment after over 5 years!
As he was in 'The Quatermass Xperiment', he sure deserves one.
⭐ The opening of Quatermass was voted one of the scariest TV moments of all time. I must say, it did get the old goose bumps going!
Brian gets 5ft8. 😁👍
This poor sausage needs a comment after over 5 years!
As he was in 'The Quatermass Xperiment', he sure deserves one.
⭐ The opening of Quatermass was voted one of the scariest TV moments of all time. I must say, it did get the old goose bumps going!
Brian gets 5ft8. 😁👍
Sam said on 30/Sep/15
Could you add those credits Rob? I agree that I thought he was more a strong 5'9" similar to my opinion on Frank Morgan, I guess I'm thrown by the lower average heights back then.
Could you add those credits Rob? I agree that I thought he was more a strong 5'9" similar to my opinion on Frank Morgan, I guess I'm thrown by the lower average heights back then.
Gonzalo said on 29/Sep/15
In some movies he looks taller than that, around 1`76-78. Hangmen also die is an absolute masterpiece
In some movies he looks taller than that, around 1`76-78. Hangmen also die is an absolute masterpiece
Sam said on 27/Sep/15
Could you please add Destry Rides Again, The Miracle of Morgan's Creek and Kiss of Death?
Could you please add Destry Rides Again, The Miracle of Morgan's Creek and Kiss of Death?
Sam said on 27/Sep/15
Thanks for adding. He did look solid average. Thought he could look as high as 5'10"...5'8" was close to the same to the equivalent to 5'10" at his generation.
Thanks for adding. He did look solid average. Thought he could look as high as 5'10"...5'8" was close to the same to the equivalent to 5'10" at his generation.
Rampage(-_-_-)Clover said on 27/Sep/15
200lbs at 5ft8?
200lbs at 5ft8?
Heights are barefeet estimates, derived from quotations, official websites, agency resumes, in person encounters with actors at conventions and pictures/films.
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