The Shortest African-American Actors in Hollywood

The entertainment industry features a diverse range of talent, and many of its most influential stars have proven that physical stature does not limit on-screen presence. From legendary pioneers of the 20th century to contemporary leading men, these actors have commanded the spotlight through comedy, drama, and action. This list highlights African-American male actors who stand at 5 feet 9 inches or shorter, celebrating their significant contributions to film and television.

Tony Cox

Tony Cox is a seasoned actor known for his exceptional comedic timing and physical comedy. Standing at 3 feet 6 inches, he has carved out a unique niche in Hollywood across several decades. He gained widespread acclaim for his role as Marcus in the 2003 cult classic ‘Bad Santa’. Throughout his career, he has appeared in various films such as ‘Willow’, ‘Me, Myself & Irene’, and ‘Epic Movie’.

Emmanuel Lewis

Emmanuel Lewis became a household name during the 1980s as the star of the hit sitcom ‘Webster’. Measuring 4 feet 3 inches, he portrayed the titular character, a young boy adopted by a white couple. His performance earned him several People’s Choice Awards and made him a global television icon. Beyond his most famous role, he has made guest appearances on shows like ‘Family Matters’ and ‘Moesha’.

Gary Coleman

Gary Coleman was one of the most recognizable child stars in television history. He stood 4 feet 8 inches tall and was best known for his role as Arnold Jackson on the sitcom ‘Diff’rent Strokes’. His catchphrase became a staple of American pop culture during the late 1970s and 1980s. Coleman also starred in several films, including ‘On the Right Track’ and ‘The Kid from Left Field’.

Benjamin Flores Jr.

Benjamin Flores Jr., also known as Lil’ P-Nut, transitioned from a viral rap sensation to a successful actor. He stands at 5 feet 0 inches and first gained fame on the Nickelodeon series ‘The Haunted Hathaways’. He later starred in the series ‘Game Shakers’ and provided voice work for the film ‘Happy Feet Two’. Recently, he appeared in the ‘Fear Street’ trilogy on Netflix, showcasing his range in the horror genre.

Lonnie Chavis

Lonnie Chavis is a talented young actor who rose to prominence for his emotional performance in the drama series ‘This Is Us’. Standing at 5 feet 1 inch, he portrays the younger version of Randall Pearson. His work on the show has been praised for its maturity and depth, earning him several award nominations. He has also starred in the film ‘The Water Man’ and the series ‘White Famous’.

Bobb’e J. Thompson

Bobb’e J. Thompson is a comedic actor and rapper who began his career at a very young age. He stands at 5 feet 1 inch and is widely remembered for his breakout role in the 2008 comedy ‘Role Models’. His quick wit and high energy led to roles in ‘That’s So Raven’ and ‘Tyler Perry’s House of Payne’. He has also lent his voice to the animated film ‘Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs’.

Prince

Prince was a global icon who made significant waves in Hollywood as an actor, director, and musician. Standing at 5 feet 2 inches, he starred in the 1984 musical drama ‘Purple Rain’, which became a massive commercial success. He also directed and starred in ‘Under the Cherry Moon’ and ‘Graffiti Bridge’. His presence on screen was defined by the same enigmatic charisma that fueled his legendary music career.

Kevin Hart

Kevin Hart is one of the most successful comedians and movie stars in the world today. Standing at 5 feet 2 inches, he often uses his height as a central theme in his stand-up routines. He has headlined numerous blockbuster films, including ‘Ride Along’, ‘Central Intelligence’, and the ‘Jumanji’ franchise. His production company, HartBeat Productions, has further established him as a major mogul in the entertainment industry.

Miles Brown

Miles Brown is best known for his role as Jack Johnson on the long-running ABC sitcom ‘Black-ish’. He stands at 5 feet 3 inches and has grown up on screen over the course of the series’ eight seasons. In addition to his acting, he is a skilled dancer who has performed on ‘Dancing with the Stars: Juniors’. Brown has also appeared in films like ‘Boy Genius’ and provided voice talent for various animated projects.

Sammy Davis Jr.

Sammy Davis Jr. was a legendary entertainer and a key member of the Rat Pack. He stood 5 feet 5 inches tall and broke numerous racial barriers in Hollywood during the mid-20th century. His acting credits include the original ‘Ocean’s 11’, ‘Porgy and Bess’, and ‘Tap’. Davis was a multi-talented performer who excelled in singing, dancing, and dramatic acting throughout his storied career.

Katt Williams

Katt Williams is a prolific stand-up comedian and actor known for his sharp social commentary. He stands at 5 feet 5 inches and gained mainstream movie fame as Money Mike in ‘Friday After Next’. He has also appeared in films such as ‘First Sunday’ and ‘Norbit’. In addition to his film work, he won a Primetime Emmy Award for his guest role in the series ‘Atlanta’.

Algee Smith

Algee Smith is a rising star known for his compelling performances in both film and television. Standing at 5 feet 5 inches, he gained significant recognition for his portrayal of Ralph Tresvant in ‘The New Edition Story’. He also starred in the critically acclaimed film ‘Detroit’ and the HBO series ‘Euphoria’. Smith continues to take on diverse roles, including a lead part in the sci-fi thriller ‘Mother/Android’.

Jahi Di’Allo Winston

Jahi Di’Allo Winston is a young actor who has quickly made a name for himself in major productions. He stands at 5 feet 5 inches and delivered a breakout performance in the 2020 film ‘Charm City Kings’. His career began on Broadway in ‘The Lion King’ before he moved into screen acting with roles in ‘Everything Sucks!’ and ‘Proud Mary’. He also appeared in the 2023 film ‘We Have a Ghost’.

Alex R. Hibbert

Alex Hibbert is an actor who rose to international fame for his role in the Academy Award-winning film ‘Moonlight’. Standing at 5 feet 5 inches, he played the youngest version of the protagonist, Chiron. Following this success, he joined the cast of the Showtime series ‘The Chi’. His performances are often noted for their quiet intensity and emotional resonance.

Curtis Harris

Curtis Harris is a young actor who spent several years as a staple on the Nickelodeon network. Standing at 5 feet 5 inches, he is best known for his lead role as Miles Preston in ‘The Haunted Hathaways’. He has also made appearances in popular shows like ‘Modern Family’ and ‘The Goldbergs’. His work in the industry started with commercials before transitioning into series regular roles.

Spike Lee

Spike Lee is an Academy Award-winning filmmaker who frequently acts in his own productions. Standing at 5 feet 6 inches, he famously portrayed Mars Blackmon in his debut feature ‘She’s Gotta Have It’. He also appeared as Mookie in the landmark film ‘Do the Right Thing’. While primarily known for his directing, his on-screen roles have become iconic parts of his cinematic legacy.

Lil Rel Howery

Lil Rel Howery is a comedian and actor who saw a massive career surge following his role in the 2017 horror hit ‘Get Out’. Standing at 5 feet 6 inches, he provided the film’s comedic relief as a TSA officer. Since then, he has starred in his own sitcom, ‘Rel’, and appeared in major films like ‘Free Guy’ and ‘Bird Box’. He is known for his relatable humor and energetic screen presence.

Alfonso Ribeiro

Alfonso Ribeiro is best known for his role as Carlton Banks on ‘The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’. Standing at 5 feet 6 inches, he created one of the most enduring characters in 1990s television history. Beyond acting, he is an accomplished dancer, winning season 19 of ‘Dancing with the Stars’. He currently serves as the host of ‘America’s Funniest Home Videos’.

Tommy Davidson

Tommy Davidson is a comedian and actor who rose to fame as an original cast member on ‘In Living Color’. Standing at 5 feet 6 inches, he became known for his versatile impressions and physical comedy. He has starred in several films, including ‘Strictly Business’, ‘Booty Call’, and ‘Bamboozled’. He also provided the voice for Oscar Proud in the animated series ‘The Proud Family’.

Jussie Smollett

Jussie Smollett is an actor and singer who gained widespread fame for his role as Jamal Lyon on the musical drama ‘Empire’. Standing at 5 feet 6 inches, he was a central figure in the show’s success for several seasons. Before his adult career, he appeared as a child actor in films like ‘The Mighty Ducks’ and ‘North’. He has also pursued a career in directing and music.

Martin Lawrence

Martin Lawrence is a comedy legend who dominated the 1990s with his own sitcom and blockbuster films. Standing at 5 feet 7 inches, he starred in the hit series ‘Martin’ for five seasons. He is also one half of the lead duo in the ‘Bad Boys’ franchise alongside Will Smith. His filmography includes other successful titles such as ‘Blue Streak’ and ‘Big Momma’s House’.

Larenz Tate

Larenz Tate is a respected actor known for his roles in classic African-American cinema. Standing at 5 feet 7 inches, he delivered a powerful breakout performance as O-Dog in ‘Menace II Society’. He went on to star in films like ‘Dead Presidents’, ‘Love Jones’, and ‘Why Do Fools Fall in Love’. In recent years, he has played a major role in the hit Starz series ‘Power’.

Brandon T. Jackson

Brandon T. Jackson is an actor and comedian who gained notoriety for his role in the satirical action film ‘Tropic Thunder’. Standing at 5 feet 7 inches, he portrayed Alpa Chino in the star-studded cast. He also played Grover Underwood in the ‘Percy Jackson’ film series and starred in ‘Big Mommas: Like Father, Like Son’. Jackson began his career in stand-up before transitioning to film.

Jacob Latimore

Jacob Latimore is a multi-talented performer who has balanced a music career with a steady stream of acting roles. Standing at 5 feet 7 inches, he currently stars as Emmett Washington in the drama series ‘The Chi’. His film credits include ‘The Maze Runner’, ‘Detroit’, and the 2023 remake of ‘House Party’. He has been active in the industry since his debut as a young singer.

Nadji Jeter

Nadji Jeter is an actor known for his work in both live-action and voice acting. Standing at 5 feet 7 inches, he is the voice and motion-capture actor for Miles Morales in the ‘Spider-Man’ video game series. His film roles include appearances in ‘Grown Ups’ and ‘Grown Ups 2’. He also starred in the 2017 film ‘Wonder’ alongside Julia Roberts.

Chosen Jacobs

Chosen Jacobs is a young actor who gained significant attention for his role as Mike Hanlon in the 2017 horror film ‘It’. Standing at 5 feet 7 inches, he reprised his role in the sequel ‘It Chapter Two’. He has also appeared in the series ‘Castle Rock’ and the Netflix film ‘Purple Hearts’. In addition to acting, he is a musician who has released several singles.

Tequan Richmond

Tequan Richmond is best known for his role as Drew Rock on the sitcom ‘Everybody Hates Chris’. Standing at 5 feet 7 inches, he played the younger brother of the show’s protagonist. He also earned critical acclaim for his portrayal of T.J. Ashford on the soap opera ‘General Hospital’. Richmond has appeared in films such as ‘Ray’ and ‘Blue Caprice’.

Shad Moss

Shad Moss, professionally known as Bow Wow, began his career as a child rapper before moving into acting. Standing at 5 feet 7 inches, he starred in the 2002 film ‘Like Mike’, which was a major success. He went on to appear in ‘The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift’ and the series ‘CSI: Cyber’. He has also maintained a long-standing presence as a television host.

Jason Mitchell

Jason Mitchell is an actor who received critical acclaim for his portrayal of Eazy-E in the biopic ‘Straight Outta Compton’. Standing at 5 feet 7 inches, his performance was widely considered a breakout role in 2015. He followed this with roles in ‘Mudbound’, ‘Kong: Skull Island’, and the series ‘The Chi’. Despite his shorter stature, he is known for his intense and commanding screen presence.

Kelvin Harrison, Jr.

Kelvin Harrison Jr. is a highly sought-after actor known for taking on complex and challenging roles. Standing at 5 feet 7 inches, he received praise for his work in films like ‘Luce’ and ‘Waves’. He also appeared in ‘The Trial of the Chicago 7’ and played Christian in the 2021 musical ‘Cyrano’. Harrison’s career continues to expand with lead roles in major biographical dramas.

Usher

Usher Raymond IV is a global superstar in the music industry who has also maintained a consistent acting career. Standing at 5 feet 7 inches, he has starred in films such as ‘Light It Up’, ‘In the Mix’, and ‘Hands of Stone’. In ‘Hands of Stone’, he portrayed the legendary boxer Sugar Ray Leonard. He also appeared as a judge on the reality competition show ‘The Voice’.

Don Cheadle

Don Cheadle is an Academy Award-nominated actor with an extensive and diverse filmography. Standing at 5 feet 8 inches, he is perhaps best known to modern audiences as James Rhodes, also known as War Machine, in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He earned an Oscar nomination for his powerful performance in ‘Hotel Rwanda’. He also starred in the acclaimed series ‘House of Lies’ and ‘Black Monday’.

Terrence Howard

Terrence Howard is an actor known for his charismatic and often volatile screen characters. Standing at 5 feet 8 inches, he led the hit musical drama ‘Empire’ as Lucious Lyon for six seasons. He received an Academy Award nomination for his lead role in the 2005 film ‘Hustle & Flow’. His other notable films include ‘Crash’, ‘The Butler’, and the first ‘Iron Man’ film.

Kel Mitchell

Kel Mitchell rose to fame as a star of the Nickelodeon sketch comedy series ‘All That’. Standing at 5 feet 8 inches, he formed a popular duo with Kenan Thompson, leading to the sitcom ‘Kenan & Kel’. He also starred in the 1997 comedy film ‘Good Burger’, which has since become a cult classic. Mitchell continues to work in television, recently appearing in the ‘Game Shakers’ series.

Kenan Thompson

Kenan Thompson holds the record as the longest-running cast member in the history of ‘Saturday Night Live’. Standing at 5 feet 8 inches, he began his career as a child star on Nickelodeon’s ‘All That’. He has appeared in numerous films, including ‘Fat Albert’, ‘Heavyweights’, and ‘Snakes on a Plane’. Thompson also starred in his own NBC sitcom titled ‘Kenan’.

Tyler James Williams

Tyler James Williams gained fame as the star of the semi-autobiographical sitcom ‘Everybody Hates Chris’. Standing at 5 feet 8 inches, he played a young Chris Rock during his formative years. He later joined the cast of ‘The Walking Dead’ and currently stars in the critically acclaimed comedy ‘Abbott Elementary’. His performance in ‘Abbott Elementary’ has earned him several award nominations and wins.

Caleb McLaughlin

Caleb McLaughlin is a young actor who became a global star through his role as Lucas Sinclair on ‘Stranger Things’. Standing at 5 feet 8 inches, he has been a core cast member of the Netflix series since its inception. He also starred in the 2020 film ‘Concrete Cowboy’ alongside Idris Elba. McLaughlin started his professional career on Broadway playing Young Simba in ‘The Lion King’.

Ludacris

Chris “Ludacris” Bridges is a Grammy-winning rapper who successfully transitioned into a full-time acting career. Standing at 5 feet 8 inches, he is a mainstay of the ‘Fast & Furious’ franchise as the character Tej Parker. He also appeared in the Academy Award-winning film ‘Crash’ and the drama ‘Hustle & Flow’. Beyond film, he has been involved in several television production projects.

T.I.

Clifford “T.I.” Harris is a rapper and actor who has appeared in several high-profile Hollywood projects. Standing at 5 feet 8 inches, he played the character Dave in the Marvel Studios films ‘Ant-Man’ and ‘Ant-Man and the Wasp’. He also starred in the films ‘ATL’, ‘Takers’, and ‘American Gangster’. In addition to acting, he has produced and starred in several reality television series.

Bryshere Y. Gray

Bryshere Y. Gray, also known by his stage name Yazz the Greatest, is an actor and rapper. Standing at 5 feet 8 inches, he is best known for his role as Hakeem Lyon on the television series ‘Empire’. He also portrayed Michael Bivins in the 2017 miniseries ‘The New Edition Story’. His career began with local performances in Philadelphia before his breakout television role.

Tyrel Jackson Williams

Tyrel Jackson Williams is an actor who found success on the Disney XD series ‘Lab Rats’. Standing at 5 feet 8 inches, he played the lead character Leo Dooley throughout the show’s run. He also starred in the comedy series ‘Brockmire’ alongside Hank Azaria. Williams has provided voice work for several animated projects and appeared in various television guest roles.

Jermaine Fowler

Jermaine Fowler is a comedian and actor who has quickly ascended in the world of film and television. Standing at 5 feet 8 inches, he starred in the 2021 sequel ‘Coming 2 America’ as the long-lost son of King Akeem. He also created and starred in the CBS sitcom ‘Superior Donuts’. Fowler is known for his stand-up specials and his work as a voice actor.

Chris Redd

Chris Redd is a comedian and actor who was a featured cast member on ‘Saturday Night Live’ for five seasons. Standing at 5 feet 8 inches, he won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics on the show. He also starred in the series ‘Kenan’ and appeared in the film ‘Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping’. Redd is a frequent performer on the stand-up comedy circuit.

Orlando Jones

Orlando Jones is a versatile actor and comedian who first gained fame as an original cast member on ‘MADtv’. Standing at 5 feet 8 inches, he has appeared in films such as ‘Evolution’, ‘The Replacements’, and ‘Drumline’. He also portrayed Mr. Nancy in the television adaptation of ‘American Gods’. Jones is known for his unique comedic voice and his work as a writer and producer.

Giancarlo Esposito

Giancarlo Esposito is an actor celebrated for his portrayals of calm yet menacing villains. Standing at 5 feet 8 inches, he delivered an iconic performance as Gus Fring in ‘Breaking Bad’ and ‘Better Call Saul’. He has also appeared in ‘The Mandalorian’, ‘The Boys’, and several Spike Lee films including ‘Do the Right Thing’. Esposito has a career spanning over four decades in film, television, and theater.

Eddie Murphy

Eddie Murphy is a cinematic icon who revitalized ‘Saturday Night Live’ in the 1980s before becoming a massive movie star. Standing at 5 feet 9 inches, he headlined blockbusters like ‘Beverly Hills Cop’, ‘Coming to America’, and ‘The Nutty Professor’. He received an Academy Award nomination for his role in the 2006 musical ‘Dreamgirls’. Murphy is also the voice of Donkey in the hugely successful ‘Shrek’ animated franchise.

Donald Glover

Donald Glover, also known as Childish Gambino, is a multi-hyphenate artist who has found success in every area of entertainment. Standing at 5 feet 9 inches, he created and starred in the award-winning series ‘Atlanta’. He also played the younger Lando Calrissian in ‘Solo: A Star Wars Story’ and appeared in ‘The Martian’. Glover is an acclaimed writer, director, and Grammy-winning musician.

Wesley Snipes

Wesley Snipes is an actor and martial artist who was a dominant force in action cinema during the 1990s. Standing at 5 feet 9 inches, he is best known for portraying the titular vampire hunter in the ‘Blade’ trilogy. His other notable films include ‘White Men Can’t Jump’, ‘New Jack City’, and ‘Demolition Man’. Snipes has played a wide range of roles across the action, drama, and comedy genres.

Hill Harper

Hill Harper is an actor known for his long-running roles on popular television procedurals. Standing at 5 feet 9 inches, he starred as Dr. Sheldon Hawkes on ‘CSI: NY’ for nine seasons. He also played Dr. Marcus Andrews on the medical drama ‘The Good Doctor’. In addition to his acting career, Harper is an author and an activist who has written several motivational books.

Mekhi Phifer

Mekhi Phifer is an actor who rose to fame with his debut role in the Spike Lee film ‘Clockers’. Standing at 5 feet 9 inches, he is well known for his role as Dr. Greg Pratt on the medical drama ‘ER’. He also starred alongside Eminem in the 2002 film ‘8 Mile’ and appeared in the ‘Divergent’ film series. Phifer has maintained a steady career in both television and feature films for nearly thirty years.

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