How Tall is Tom Cruise? Inside the Actor's Height, Relationships & Use of Lifts

Tom Cruise's Height - How Tall is the Movie Star?

Tom Cruise is one of the biggest movie stars in the world and has captivated audiences for decades in blockbuster films like Top Gun, Mission Impossible, and Jerry Maguire. However, his height, or lack thereof, has also drawn a lot of attention and questions over the years.

Tom Cruise's Actual Height

Tom Cruise's official height is 5 feet 7 inches (1.7 meters). However, there has been much speculation that he may actually be shorter than that. Some reports estimate his height could be closer to 5 feet 5 inches. Cruise is shorter than many of his co-stars, which is why you often see him standing on boxes or wearing lifts in movies to appear taller.

Comparisons to Other Stars

By Hollywood standards, Tom Cruise would be considered quite short for a leading man actor. For comparisons:

• Brad Pitt - 5 feet 11 inches
• George Clooney - 5 feet 10 inches
• Matt Damon - 5 feet 10 inches
• Will Smith - 6 feet 2 inches

As you can see, most popular Hollywood actors tend to be over 6 foot tall. At just 5 foot 7, Cruise is noticeably shorter than many of his peers.

Rumors and Speculation About Lifts & Boxes

There have been numerous rumors over the years about Tom Cruise wearing special shoes with lifts or standing on boxes to make himself appear taller in public events and movies.

It is well documented that he wore height-boosting shoes in movies like Jerry Maguire and Rain Man. There are also many photos of him standing on boxes while filming scenes with his Mission Impossible co-star Rebecca Ferguson, who is 5' 9", to look taller.

While Tom Cruise has not directly addressed the use of these tricks, the evidence clearly suggests his height is a sensitive issue for the star and he goes to great lengths to minimize the height difference between him and his often taller female co-stars.

How His Height Impacted Love Life & Relationships

One area Tom Cruise's height has made consistent headlines is around his romantic relationships with famous actresses like Nicole Kidman, Katie Holmes, and current wife Penelope Cruz.

Nicole Kidman

When married to Nicole Kidman, who stands at 5 feet 11 inches tall, Tom Cruise looked visibly shorter than his statuesque wife even while likely wearing height-boosting shoes. They were one of Hollywood's biggest power couples, but the height difference was regularly fodder for gossip and jokes.

Katie Holmes

After splitting from Nicole Kidman, Tom drew more attention for his height after beginning a relationship with actress Katie Holmes. Katie is a tall 5 feet 9 inches, while Tom is just 5 feet 7 inches. Once again, Tom was put in a position of looking shorter side-by-side with a wife in photos and public appearances.

Penelope Cruz

Tom Cruise's current wife, actress Penelope Cruz, is closer to him in height at 5 feet 6 inches tall. While still an inch taller, the height gap between them is significantly smaller compared to his previous relationships. Perhaps after years of well-documented height issues with past wives, Tom was more conscious of finding a romantic partner closer to his height when he married Penelope Cruz - although that has never been confirmed.

Wearing Lifts & Using Platforms in Movies

While Tom Cruise's stature has fueled rumors and jokes for years, that hasn't stopped him from continuing to take on big blockbuster roles alongside taller men and women.

To help alleviate the height differences on screen, there are multiple examples of Cruise using height-boosting assistance to look bigger than his co-stars:

• Wearing lifts in his shoes for The Firm and Interview With a Vampire
• Actress Kidman was asked to take off her shoes during scenes in Eyes Wide Shut
• Stood on an apple box for kiss scene with Dustin Hoffman's wife in Rain Man
• Co-star Rebecca Ferguson wore flats while Tom wore boots with lifts for Mission Impossible films

Despite being one of the most famous actors in Hollywood who can command multi-million dollar salaries per movie, it seems Tom Cruise and his teams still work hard to manage appearances and account for his shorter height compared to co-stars.

Still Thriving Despite Height Challenges

While speculating about Tom Cruise's actual height or use of tricks to look taller can make for amusing gossip, what's most impressive is that his blockbuster success has never been hampered by his stature.

Despite being smaller than many leading men, Tom Cruise has remained one of the highest paid, most sought after actors over a decades-long career. His unique brand of charisma and star power trumps any height deficiencies for movie goers.

So in the end, his height ultimately doesn't define him or impact his success as an actor - though it will likely continue fueling amusing conversations and speculation for years to come!

FAQs

How tall is Tom Cruise?

Tom Cruise's official height is 5 feet 7 inches (1.7 meters). However, there are rumors he may actually be shorter, closer to 5 feet 5 inches.

Does Tom Cruise wear lifts or stand on boxes to appear taller?

Yes, there is significant evidence that Tom Cruise has worn special shoes with lifts or stood on boxes and platforms in movies to appear taller, especially beside taller co-stars.

Why does Tom Cruise's height matter?

As a leading man actor, Tom Cruise's height draws attention because many Hollywood stars are over 6 feet tall. Being just 5 foot 7 makes Cruise noticeably shorter than peers and co-stars, fueling media speculation.

Did Tom Cruise's height impact his relationships?

Yes, Tom Cruise has looked visibly shorter next to taller wives like Nicole Kidman (5'11") and Katie Holmes (5'9"), regularly drawing jokes and gossip about the height differences.

Has Tom Cruise's short stature affected his career?

No, despite being shorter than many actors, Tom Cruise remains one of the highest paid, most sought after Hollywood stars with a decades-long blockbuster movie career. His success has not been hampered by his height.