Entertainment

Hollywood's Most Badass Shorties

by Erin Mayer

We often assume tall people get all the glory. They get paid higher salaries, they walk the runway, and they can join the Rockettes. As a short girl myself, — I'm 5'0" on a "tall" day— I've often held a grudge against the taller members of the human race. But, sometimes, diminutive height can work to your benefit. You can move swiftly through the crowds, you can disappear if need be, and you probably have excellent posture. Chances are, if you're short, you're also a badass. Don't ask me why, I don't make the rules.

Need further proof? Just take a look at our list of the most awesome actors and actresses who also happen to be, well, really short! From the Mother of Dragons to our favorite adolescent wizard, you'll be surprised how little height matters when it comes to acting chops.

Emilia Clarke

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At only 5'2", the Game of Thrones actress (and our one true Khaleesi) proves that you don't need to be tall to be fierce. Daenerys Targaryen is one shortie we'd definitely want on our side in any fight, with or without the dragons.

Danny DeVito

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Although Danny DeVito's film career is decades long, he will forever be the dad from Matilda in my eyes. And the dad from Matilda is pretty scary, even if he is only 5'0".

Ellen Page

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We loved her as a sarcastic pregnant teen in Juno and although Ellen Page is all grown up, she hasn't actually grown much. The actress comes in at only 5'1" but sure has the talent and the strength to make up for it.

Daniel Radcliffe

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He may be small (5'5"), but Daniel Radcliffe is also Harry Potter, the teenaged wizard who captured our hearts with his lightening bolt scar and general bravery. Besides, you don't need a lot of height to be good at Quidditch!

Amy Poehler

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Amy Poehler manages to pack a whole lot of funny into a frame that's only 5'2". Plus she's a major mover and shaker when it comes to changing the role of women in comedy, which goes to show that power can come in a small package.

Anna Kendrick

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If you've seen Pitch Perfect, you know that Anna Kendrick has some serious pipes and is also capable of a serious attitude. But you may not know that she is only 5'0", a fact that makes her already skyrocketing adorability factor kind of unbearable.

Peter Dinklage

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If you know me, you know that Tyrion Lannister is about 80 percent of why I watch Game of Thrones and in this I am probably not alone. Peter Dinklage may be the shortest actor on our list (he's 4'5"), but he also has the most commanding presence. And he looks mighty dapper in a suit.

Kristen Bell

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The multi-talented Bell has made us laugh, cry, and ponder the question "Who is Gossip Girl?!" What she hasn't done is tower above any of her fellow actors on the Red Carpet, because she's only 5'1"!

Dustin Hoffman

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Hoffman is a huge name in Hollywood, with roles in classic films like Kramer vs. Kramer and All the President's Men. But huge he is not, at only 5'6".

Kristin Chenoweth

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At 4'11", actress Kristin Chenoweth is quite petite. But no matter — she has a giant personality and a voice to rival that of former cast mate Idina Menzel (Adele Dazeem, for those who know their Oscar presenters better than they know their Broadway stars.)

There you have it: definitive — and famous! — proof that height is not a barrier to badassery!