The Shortest Black Actresses in Hollywood

Hollywood is home to a diverse array of talent, where physical stature rarely dictates the magnitude of a performer’s impact. Many Black actresses have achieved immense critical and commercial success despite standing well below the average height. From award-winning veterans to rising stars, these women have dominated genres ranging from prestige drama to network sitcoms. This list highlights prominent Black actresses in the entertainment industry who are 5 feet 4 inches or shorter.

Quinta Brunson

Quinta Brunson is a multifaceted talent known for creating and starring in the hit sitcom ‘Abbott Elementary’. Standing at 4 feet 11 inches, she has become a prominent figure in modern television comedy. Her work on the series has earned her multiple Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series. Before her network success, she gained fame through viral content and digital series.

Jada Pinkett Smith

Jada Pinkett Smith stands at 5 feet 0 inches and has maintained a long-standing career in film and television. She gained early recognition in ‘A Different World’ before moving into major films like ‘Set It Off’. More recently, she appeared in the blockbuster ‘The Matrix Resurrections’ and hosted the talk show ‘Red Table Talk’. Her influence extends beyond acting into production and business ventures.

Chandra Wilson

Chandra Wilson is best known for her long-running role as Dr. Miranda Bailey on the medical drama ‘Grey’s Anatomy’. She stands 5 feet 0 inches tall and has directed numerous episodes of the series. Her performance has earned her multiple Screen Actors Guild Awards and Emmy nominations. Beyond the hospital halls, she has also performed on Broadway in productions such as ‘Chicago’.

Janelle Monáe

Janelle Monáe is an acclaimed singer and actress who stands 5 feet 0 inches. She transitioned from a successful music career to standout film roles in ‘Hidden Figures’ and ‘Moonlight’. Monáe also led the cast of the mystery sequel ‘Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery’. Her artistic style often blends futuristic themes with social commentary.

Loretta Devine

Loretta Devine is a veteran of stage and screen who stands 5 feet 0 inches. She originated the role of Lorrell Robinson in the Broadway production of ‘Dreamgirls’. In film, she is widely recognized for her performance in the classic drama ‘Waiting to Exhale’. She has also won a Primetime Emmy Award for her guest role on ‘Grey’s Anatomy’.

Keshia Knight Pulliam

Keshia Knight Pulliam rose to fame as a child star playing Rudy Huxtable on ‘The Cosby Show’. She stands 5 feet 0 inches and remains one of the youngest actresses to ever receive an Emmy nomination. As an adult, she has starred in the long-running sitcom ‘Tyler Perry’s House of Payne’. She continues to work steadily in television movies and reality programming.

Uzo Aduba

Uzo Aduba gained international stardom for her role as Suzanne Warren in the series ‘Orange Is the New Black’. Standing at 5 feet 0 inches, she won two Emmy Awards for her performance on the show. She later appeared in the drama ‘Mrs. America’ and the series ‘In Treatment’. Aduba is also a celebrated stage actress with multiple Broadway credits.

Cynthia Erivo

Cynthia Erivo is a powerhouse performer who stands at 5 feet 1 inch. She achieved major acclaim for her role in the Broadway revival of ‘The Color Purple’, winning a Tony Award. Her film career include an Oscar-nominated performance in the biopic ‘Harriet’. She is also set to star as Elphaba in the cinematic adaptation of the musical ‘Wicked’.

Karrueche Tran

Karrueche Tran is an actress and model who stands 5 feet 1 inch tall. she won a Daytime Emmy Award for her work in the digital series ‘The Bay’. She reached a wider audience through her role as Virginia Loc on the TNT drama series ‘Claws’. Tran has also appeared in various films and guest-starred on ‘Bel-Air’.

Marsai Martin

Marsai Martin made history as the youngest executive producer in Hollywood for the film ‘Little’. She stands 5 feet 2 inches and first rose to prominence as Diane Johnson on the sitcom ‘Black-ish’. Her performance on the series earned her numerous NAACP Image Awards. She continues to expand her production company while pursuing voice acting and film roles.

Nia Long

Nia Long is a staple of 1990s and 2000s cinema, standing at 5 feet 2 inches. She is well-known for her roles in iconic films such as ‘Boyz n the Hood’ and ‘The Best Man’. Long also had a significant television presence in ‘The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’ and ‘Empire’. Her career has spanned over three decades across multiple genres.

Zoë Kravitz

Zoë Kravitz stands 5 feet 2 inches and has built a diverse filmography in both independent and blockbuster films. she played Catwoman in the 2022 film ‘The Batman’ alongside Robert Pattinson. She also starred in the television series ‘Big Little Lies’ and the series ‘High Fidelity’. In addition to acting, she has stepped into directing with the film ‘Blink Twice’.

Lisa Bonet

Lisa Bonet became a household name playing Denise Huxtable on ‘The Cosby Show’ and its spinoff ‘A Different World’. She stands at 5 feet 2 inches and was a prominent style icon throughout the 1980s. Her film work includes the psychological thriller ‘Angel Heart’ and the comedy-drama ‘High Fidelity’. She is known for her bohemian aesthetic and selective approach to acting roles.

Octavia Spencer

Octavia Spencer is an Academy Award winner who stands at 5 feet 2 inches. She won her Oscar for her supporting role as Minny Jackson in the drama ‘The Help’. Spencer has also starred in critically acclaimed films like ‘Hidden Figures’ and ‘The Shape of Water’. She is recognized as one of the most consistent and respected performers in the industry.

Raven-Symoné

Raven-Symoné began her career as a child actress on ‘The Cosby Show’ and later became a Disney Channel icon. She stands 5 feet 2 inches and starred in the hit series ‘That’s So Raven’ and its sequel ‘Raven’s Home’. She has also served as a co-host on the daytime talk show ‘The View’. Her career includes music, voice acting, and various television production credits.

Jasmine Guy

Jasmine Guy is best known for her portrayal of Whitley Gilbert on the sitcom ‘A Different World’. Standing at 5 feet 2 inches, she became a cultural icon through her character’s evolution on the show. She has also appeared in the film ‘School Daze’ and the television series ‘The Vampire Diaries’. Guy is an accomplished dancer and stage performer in addition to her screen work.

Debbie Allen

Debbie Allen is a legendary figure in entertainment who stands at 5 feet 2 inches. She gained fame for her role in the film and television series ‘Fame’, where she also served as a choreographer. Allen has directed and produced numerous television projects, including ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ and ‘A Different World’. She is the founder of the Debbie Allen Dance Academy and a recipient of many honorary awards.

Dominique Fishback

Dominique Fishback stands 5 feet 2 inches and has earned critical acclaim for her intense dramatic performances. She starred in the biographical drama ‘Judas and the Black Messiah’ and the horror-thriller series ‘Swarm’. Her early work includes a significant role in the series ‘The Deuce’. Fishback is also a playwright and poet who often incorporates her writing into her creative process.

Kat Graham

Kat Graham is an actress and singer who stands at 5 feet 2 inches. She is most widely recognized for her role as Bonnie Bennett on the long-running series ‘The Vampire Diaries’. Her film credits include the action movie ‘All Eyez on Me’ and the romantic comedy ‘Love in the Villa’. Graham is also known for her work in music and her involvement in humanitarian efforts.

Skai Jackson

Skai Jackson rose to fame as Zuri Ross on the Disney Channel sitcom ‘Jessie’. She stands 5 feet 2 inches and reprised her role in the spinoff series ‘Bunk’d’. Jackson has also been active as a voice actress in animated projects like ‘Marvel Rising’. She has transitioned into more mature roles while maintaining a massive presence on social media.

Danielle Deadwyler

Danielle Deadwyler stands 5 feet 2 inches and is known for her deeply emotional performances. She received widespread critical praise for her portrayal of Mamie Till-Mobley in the 2022 film ‘Till’. Her other notable work includes roles in ‘The Harder They Fall’ and the miniseries ‘Station Eleven’. Deadwyler is also an experimental filmmaker and performance artist.

Anika Noni Rose

Anika Noni Rose is a Tony Award-winning actress who stands 5 feet 2 inches. She is famously known as the voice of Tiana in the animated film ‘The Princess and the Frog’. Her film work also includes a starring role in ‘Dreamgirls’ and the drama ‘For Colored Girls’. Rose frequently performs on Broadway and has held recurring roles in shows like ‘The Good Wife’.

Essence Atkins

Essence Atkins has been a mainstay in television comedies, standing at 5 feet 2 inches. She is well-remembered for her roles in the sitcoms ‘Half & Half’ and ‘Smart Guy’. Atkins also starred alongside Marlon Wayans in the film ‘A Haunted House’ and the series ‘Marlon’. She continues to work frequently in sitcoms and television dramas.

Bresha Webb

Bresha Webb is a comedic actress who stands at 5 feet 2 inches. She has starred in various television projects, including the series ‘Run the World’ and ‘Marlon’. Webb also appeared in the film ‘Night School’ and the thriller ‘A Fall from Grace’. She is known for her vibrant personality and talent for celebrity impressions.

Lovie Simone

Lovie Simone gained recognition for her role as Zora Greenleaf in the drama series ‘Greenleaf’. She stands 5 feet 2 inches and later starred in the horror film ‘The Craft: Legacy’. Simone also played the lead role in the acclaimed independent drama ‘Selah and the Spades’. She is considered one of the most promising young talents in Hollywood.

Yara Shahidi

Yara Shahidi stands at 5 feet 3 inches and is a prominent actress and activist. She gained fame as Zoey Johnson on ‘Black-ish’ before starring in her own spinoff series, ‘Grown-ish’. Shahidi played Tinker Bell in the live-action film ‘Peter Pan & Wendy’. In addition to her acting career, she is a graduate of Harvard University.

Amandla Stenberg

Amandla Stenberg first garnered attention as Rue in ‘The Hunger Games’. Standing 5 feet 3 inches, she went on to lead films like ‘The Hate U Give’ and ‘Everything, Everything’. Stenberg has also appeared in the series ‘The Acolyte’ and the film ‘Bodies Bodies Bodies’. She is recognized for her advocacy regarding social justice and identity.

Cree Summer

Cree Summer is one of the most prolific voice actresses in the industry, standing at 5 feet 3 inches. She is widely remembered for her live-action role as Freddie Brooks on ‘A Different World’. Her voice work includes characters in ‘Rugrats’, ‘Danny Phantom’, and ‘Codename: Kids Next Door’. Summer has voiced hundreds of characters across animation and video games.

Logan Browning

Logan Browning stands 5 feet 3 inches and is best known for her role in the series ‘Dear White People’. She played the lead character Samantha White throughout the show’s four-season run. Browning also starred in the thriller film ‘The Perfection’ and the series ‘Hit the Floor’. She began her career as a teenager with a role in the movie ‘Bratz’.

Retta

Retta is a comedian and actress who stands at 5 feet 3 inches. She became a fan favorite for her role as Donna Meagle on the sitcom ‘Parks and Recreation’. She later took on a more dramatic lead role in the series ‘Good Girls’. Retta also performs stand-up comedy and has appeared in films like ‘Other People’.

Adina Porter

Adina Porter is a versatile actress known for her work in prestige television, standing 5 feet 3 inches. She has appeared in multiple seasons of the anthology series ‘American Horror Story’. Porter also held significant roles in ‘The 100’ and ‘True Blood’. Her stage work includes an Obie Award-winning performance in the play ‘Venus’.

Yolonda Ross

Yolonda Ross is an actress and writer who stands at 5 feet 3 inches. She is currently a series regular on the drama ‘The Chi’, playing the character Jada. Ross has appeared in films such as ‘Antwone Fisher’ and the musical biopic ‘Whitney’. She has received multiple Independent Spirit Award nominations for her work in film.

Shahadi Wright Joseph

Shahadi Wright Joseph stands 5 feet 3 inches and is known for her work in horror and animation. She starred in Jordan Peele’s ‘Us’ and provided the voice for Young Nala in the 2019 version of ‘The Lion King’. Joseph also appeared in the horror series ‘Them’. She began her career on Broadway in productions like ‘The Lion King’ and ‘School of Rock’.

Ester Dean

Ester Dean is a songwriter and actress who stands 5 feet 3 inches tall. She is best known to film audiences for her role as Cynthia-Rose Adams in the ‘Pitch Perfect’ trilogy. Dean has written chart-topping hits for artists like Rihanna and Katy Perry. She also appeared as a judge on the songwriting competition show ‘Songland’.

Kandi Burruss

Kandi Burruss is a singer, songwriter, and actress who stands at 5 feet 3 inches. While famous for ‘The Real Housewives of Atlanta’, she has held recurring acting roles in ‘The Chi’. Burruss began her career as a member of the R&B group Xscape. She is also a Grammy-winning songwriter for the hit song ‘No Scrubs’.

Kerry Washington

Kerry Washington stands 5 feet 4 inches and is a major star of television and film. She became a household name for her role as Olivia Pope on the political drama ‘Scandal’. Her film work includes lead roles in ‘Django Unchained’ and ‘Ray’. Washington is also a producer and director, working on projects like the series ‘Little Fires Everywhere’.

Angela Bassett

Angela Bassett is an iconic actress known for her commanding presence and stands at 5 feet 4 inches. she received Academy Award nominations for ‘What’s Love Got to Do with It’ and ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’. Bassett also stars in the procedural drama ‘9-1-1’. She has portrayed many real-life figures, including Tina Turner and Coretta Scott King.

Regina Hall

Regina Hall stands 5 feet 4 inches and has successfully moved between broad comedy and serious drama. She is well-known for her role as Brenda Meeks in the ‘Scary Movie’ franchise. Hall earned critical acclaim for the independent film ‘Support the Girls’ and starred in the hit comedy ‘Girls Trip’. She has also served as a host for the Academy Awards.

Taraji P. Henson

Taraji P. Henson is an Academy Award-nominated actress who stands at 5 feet 4 inches. She gained massive popularity for her role as Cookie Lyon on the musical drama ‘Empire’. Her film career include ‘The Curious Case of Benjamin Button’ and ‘Hidden Figures’. Henson also starred in the 2023 film adaptation of ‘The Color Purple’.

Tessa Thompson

Tessa Thompson stands 5 feet 4 inches and is a prominent figure in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. She plays Valkyrie in the ‘Thor’ and ‘Avengers’ films. Thompson also starred in the ‘Creed’ franchise and the science fiction series ‘Westworld’. She is known for choosing eclectic roles in both independent films and major studio projects.

Danielle Brooks

Danielle Brooks stands 5 feet 4 inches and rose to fame on the series ‘Orange Is the New Black’. She received an Academy Award nomination for her role as Sofia in the 2023 film ‘The Color Purple’. Brooks also starred in the series ‘Peacemaker’ and the Broadway production of ‘The Piano Lesson’. She is an advocate for body positivity in the entertainment industry.

Thuso Mbedu

Thuso Mbedu is a South African actress who stands 5 feet 4 inches tall. She made a significant impact in Hollywood with her lead role in the miniseries ‘The Underground Railroad’. She later starred alongside Angela Bassett in the historical epic ‘The Woman King’. Mbedu has received two International Emmy Award nominations for her work.

Taylor Russell

Taylor Russell is a rising star who stands at 5 feet 4 inches. She gained critical attention for her performance in the drama ‘Waves’. Russell also starred in the ‘Escape Room’ films and the romantic horror movie ‘Bones and All’. She has been recognized with several awards for her work in independent cinema.

Amanda Seales

Amanda Seales is a comedian and actress who stands 5 feet 4 inches. She is best known for her role as Tiffany DuBois on the HBO series ‘Insecure’. Seales is also a former co-host of the daytime talk show ‘The Real’. She tours frequently with her variety show ‘Smart, Funny & Black’, which celebrates Black culture.

Teyana Taylor

Teyana Taylor is a multihyphenate artist who stands 5 feet 4 inches. She received widespread critical acclaim for her leading role in the 2023 drama ‘A Thousand and One’. Taylor is also a successful singer, choreographer, and director of music videos. She has appeared in films such as ‘Coming 2 America’ and ‘The After Party’.

Quvenzhané Wallis

Quvenzhané Wallis made history as the youngest Best Actress Oscar nominee for ‘Beasts of the Southern Wild’. She stands 5 feet 4 inches and later starred in the 2014 remake of ‘Annie’. Wallis has since appeared in the television series ‘Swagger’. She is also an author of a series of children’s books.

Candice Patton

Candice Patton stands 5 feet 4 inches and is best known for her role in the superhero genre. She played Iris West-Allen on the long-running television series ‘The Flash’. Patton appeared in all nine seasons of the show and participated in various crossover events within the DC television universe. Before her breakout role, she appeared in several soap operas and guest spots.

Tia Mowry

Tia Mowry gained fame as a teenager starring alongside her twin sister in the sitcom ‘Sister, Sister’. She stands 5 feet 4 inches and has continued to lead various television projects. Mowry starred in the series ‘The Game’ and the Netflix sitcom ‘Family Reunion’. She is also a successful cookbook author and lifestyle entrepreneur.

Da’Vine Joy Randolph

Da’Vine Joy Randolph is an Academy Award-winning actress who stands at 5 feet 4 inches. She won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the 2023 film ‘The Holdovers’. Her other notable work includes roles in ‘Dolemite Is My Name’ and the series ‘Only Murders in the Building’. She began her professional career in musical theater on Broadway.

Tell us which of these talented actresses is your favorite in the comments.