Ian Holm's Height
5ft 5 (165.1 cm)
English actor, best remembered for films like Lord of The Rings: Fellowship of the Ring, The Fifth Element, Alien, Chariots of Fire, Brazil, Hamlet, Big Night, The Sweet Hereafter, From Hell and Garden State. In 2001 (Newsday) he mentioned his stature, saying "I'm only 5-feet-6, not exactly leading man material"
Photo by PR Photos
I never had any confidence in my own ability. I never thought I was talented, not with a capital T. It was all to do with my short stature. I'm 5ft 5in. I had an absolute complex about it. Then I realised I seemed to be employed a lot and I was OK.
-- 20th August 1993
You May Be Interested
Ian McKellen
5ft 10 ¼ (178 cm)
5ft 10 ¼ (178 cm)
Christopher Lee
6ft 4 ½ (194 cm)
6ft 4 ½ (194 cm)
Hugo Weaving
6ft 2 (188 cm)
6ft 2 (188 cm)
John Rhys Davies
5ft 9 ¼ (176 cm)
5ft 9 ¼ (176 cm)
Add a Comment17 comments
Average Guess (11 Votes)
5ft 5.36in (166cm)
5ft 5.36in (166cm)
Leesheff85 said on 25/Jan/23
No Sinclair he claimed five foot five himself don't think he was any taller than Veronica Cartwright in alien. Five foot five peak for both
No Sinclair he claimed five foot five himself don't think he was any taller than Veronica Cartwright in alien. Five foot five peak for both
Sinclair said on 3/Jun/22
Rob, maybe an upgrade is in order to 5’5.5”?
I think a flat 5’5” is a tad stingy for Holm.
Rob, maybe an upgrade is in order to 5’5.5”?
I think a flat 5’5” is a tad stingy for Holm.
Sinclair said on 10/Mar/22
5’5.5” is feasible for this legendary actor. He had a great innings, maybe his short height helped?
5’5.5” is feasible for this legendary actor. He had a great innings, maybe his short height helped?
Tall Sam said on 22/Jun/20
Alien is such a classic and Ian was always good in every role, one of those rare actors would could be convincing as cold intellectuals to warm paternal types to menacing lunatics. I think he was especially good in The Sweet Hereafter, a very sad film grounded by Holm's subdued but tragic main character. I agree with other commenters, somewhere between 5'5" and 5'6" is feasible IMO.
Alien is such a classic and Ian was always good in every role, one of those rare actors would could be convincing as cold intellectuals to warm paternal types to menacing lunatics. I think he was especially good in The Sweet Hereafter, a very sad film grounded by Holm's subdued but tragic main character. I agree with other commenters, somewhere between 5'5" and 5'6" is feasible IMO.
Miss Sandy Cowell said on 21/Jun/20
🕯️ I'll have to look out for Ian in 'Alien' and the all-star Johnny Depp-led film 'From Hell', also starring Robbie Coltrane and Susan Lynch.
5ft5.5 🕯️
🕯️ I'll have to look out for Ian in 'Alien' and the all-star Johnny Depp-led film 'From Hell', also starring Robbie Coltrane and Susan Lynch.
5ft5.5 🕯️
Miss Sandy Cowell said on 21/Jun/20
I'm so sorry to hear this.
RIP Ian XXX 🕯️
12/9/31 - 19/6/20
I'm so sorry to hear this.
RIP Ian XXX 🕯️
12/9/31 - 19/6/20
Nik Ashton said on 20/Jun/20
R.I.P Ian Holm.
R.I.P Ian Holm.
Cathy Wu said on 19/Jun/20
RIP to the original Bilbo Baggins :( You are a perfect 5'5 consummate actor, Ian...
RIP to the original Bilbo Baggins :( You are a perfect 5'5 consummate actor, Ian...
The Shredder said on 14/Feb/18
What ever he was when younger , he was about 5'3 to 5'4 next to all the hobbit actors.
What ever he was when younger , he was about 5'3 to 5'4 next to all the hobbit actors.
JJAK said on 21/May/17
Another good underrated short actor, he did not look 5 3 in Alien just watched bluray looks 5 5-5 6.
He looks much shorter now hard to say 5 4 maybe a bit less.
Another good underrated short actor, he did not look 5 3 in Alien just watched bluray looks 5 5-5 6.
He looks much shorter now hard to say 5 4 maybe a bit less.
Sam said on 20/Nov/15
Rov could you add Chariots of Fire, Brazil, Hamlet, Big Night, The Sweet Hereafter, From Hell and Garden State?
Rov could you add Chariots of Fire, Brazil, Hamlet, Big Night, The Sweet Hereafter, From Hell and Garden State?
geordie said on 30/Jun/13
He does look a bit less now like maybe 5'4 or 5'4.5
He does look a bit less now like maybe 5'4 or 5'4.5
truth said on 5/Jun/12
Did look 5'4 maybe even 5'3 in Alien.
Did look 5'4 maybe even 5'3 in Alien.
Marieke said on 31/May/09
Ah, well, everything can be a handicap. Try being a woman of 1.86 m (about 6.1-2). Kind of hard to find a man who can handle that...
Ian Holm is a great actor and quite attractive too imo, even at his age.
Ah, well, everything can be a handicap. Try being a woman of 1.86 m (about 6.1-2). Kind of hard to find a man who can handle that...
Ian Holm is a great actor and quite attractive too imo, even at his age.
Anonymous said on 6/Aug/07
In the real world, being short really can be a handicap, from the way you're treated by women to the way you're treated in business.
In the real world, being short really can be a handicap, from the way you're treated by women to the way you're treated in business.
titch said on 5/Aug/07
it is amazing that you say that as if being short is a handicap to be overcome. its not. make a list of great actors you'll realise many of them are below average height.
it is amazing that you say that as if being short is a handicap to be overcome. its not. make a list of great actors you'll realise many of them are below average height.
Darrell Ree said on 6/May/07
I am only 5'5 1/2" so I know the feeling of being short. It looks like Sir Ian is quite short compared to Mr. Mckellan. To be such a star and being so short is something. and to think we all shrink as we age. WHEW. any way keept up the great attitude and work ethic. From a fellow SHORTY
I am only 5'5 1/2" so I know the feeling of being short. It looks like Sir Ian is quite short compared to Mr. Mckellan. To be such a star and being so short is something. and to think we all shrink as we age. WHEW. any way keept up the great attitude and work ethic. From a fellow SHORTY
Heights are barefeet estimates, derived from quotations, official websites, agency resumes, in person encounters with actors at conventions and pictures/films.
Other vital statistics like weight or shoe size measurements have been sourced from newspapers, books, resumes or social media.
Celebrity Fan Photos and Agency Pictures of stars are © to their respective owners.