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Ricky says on 23/Jan/12
I met him in 1978. I was 5'7" at the time, and he wasn't much over an inch taller than I. I came very close to telling him that if he were taller he'd look just like Steve McQueen.
Matt Hopper says on 3/Jan/12
correct, but proper shoed Joe says on 24/Dec/11
I just finished Marshall Terill's exhaustive bio of McQueen. (I wouldn't read Eliot's as it is reportedly riddles with mistakes.) From that, he puts McQueen's height at 5'9" at his tallest. By the time he was 50 and suffering from cancer, he could have lost an inch. McQueen died of pleural mesothelioma, which is a cancer of the lining around the lungs. He probably picked it up from asbestos exposure while he was in the Marines. Joe says on 24/Dec/11
I just finished Marshall Terill's exhaustive bio of McQueen. (I wouldn't read Eliot's as it is reportedly riddles with mistakes.) From that, he puts McQueen's height at 5'9" at his tallest. By the time he was 50 and suffering from cancer, he could have lost an inch. McQueen died of pleural mesothelioma, which is a cancer of the lining around the lungs. He probably picked it up from asbestos exposure while he was in the Marines. SteveG says on 18/Dec/11
So, are we all saying that the reason he looked so cool in his Jag was that he was short? What chance do I stand - he's 4-6" shorter than me! JoelKnox says on 20/Nov/11
With all the evidence supporting 5ft8 I wonder why he's still down as 5ft10: do these sites list heights of people plus or minus footwear? If the latter is the case I suppose it will be roughly accurate to have Mr.McQueen down as listed. Steve says on 11/Nov/11
I didn't believe 5'8" until I seen his mugshot picture. Also, the military height claim is usually right. They tell it like it is whether he was a movie star or not. A lot of these actors/rock singers claim to be taller because of their egoes. I's surprised to see how short some of these guys really are, but that's what the camera does, make them look taller then they really are, plus lifts. Matt Hopper says on 10/Nov/11
Think logical: 5'-8" flat, 5'-9", shoed, 5'-10"+ shoed+lifts, 5'7" lifeless but cramped in autopsy. So all you guys are right with what you say or you have seen. His height was only little below western average of his days, but making him even more alert. JoelKnox says on 6/Nov/11
The military and death records attest to 5ft7-8 range, his army colleagues say 5ft8, according to here--I missed those original posts--his mugshot has him at 5ft9 in shoes, so is it that this site adds two inches for adulation, or simply because Ali McGraw, like a lot of women, exaggerated her height? It's natural that Steve appears 5ft10 to everybody with his shorter co-stars claiming to be taller than they really are. If I was a 5ft8 man standing next to a woman who said she was 5ft8, but in reality was only 5ft5 1/2, people would believe I was in the 5ft10 range too, lol. DrJJ says on 5/Nov/11
Right, just checked losds of stills from Love Story. MacGraw is significantly shorter than Ryan O'Neal how is listed here as a tad under the full 6' 0". To me, she cannot be as much as 5' 8". More like 5' 6". I think her height was said to be 5' 8" at the time just to boost the claimed height of McQueen. Just goes to show, Rob, they've been doing this since time immemorial.. DrJJ says on 5/Nov/11
Marc Eliot has just released a new biography on McQueen. He is repeatedly described as "in real life he was a short, boorish man of few words". This is all from people who knew him. I have to say though, he always appears taller than Ali MacGraw, but was she really 5' 8"? Meat on bones says on 27/Oct/11
5'9! He looked it next to 5'8 Michael Trevino in Vampire Diaries.
[Editor Rob: this is the late McQueen, not the young one ;)] jake says on 12/Aug/11
In The Hunter he looked around 5 inches shorter than 6ft2in Ben Johnson. Antoine says on 11/Aug/11
It seems that the dilemma here is that people "want" Steve McQueen to be or have been tall! Actors can look tall out in public as I myself have witnessed on many occasions. Being somewhat involved with the "business" i see and come into contact with actors/actresses quite frequently and am often surprised at their questionable footwear, height disparity in relation to this site and so on and so on. Who we see on tv or the big screen often differs from reality. i was once told Stephen Dorff was 5'10...he is lucky if he is even 5'8. How do i know this? Because I have met him face to face and have seen the difference from his movies. One can be made to be anything in hollywood even height. I am a bit critical of this site for the reasons that it takes what people say about one another rather than factual evidence. Neil toffel said Steve Mcqueen was 5'10. So what? We know how tall he was in the military and we know how tall he was in death...why do we refute this? My own mother says I'm 5'10, I'm actually 5'8!!! Go figure my own mother. So you see, the public sees as it wants to see. jake says on 30/Jul/11
I agree, he simply was not a full 5ft10. He was 5ft9.5 (177 cm), not a hair over that. al says on 25/Jul/11
In addition...thanks Antoine..but it looks like BJB did his/her homework as those were the comparisons I was trying to convey with my earlier post (when you can see the footwear) the actors are wearing in the photos - that's crucial! As Georgeclooneysmum stated - we need to re-evaluate other actor's heights which I believe are misunderstood and mistated because when you make the comparisons you have to see the actors in full length shots to see the footwear and perspective....Slope and Pyzer's arguments are convincing and appear to be right on with the majority of what people are saying...but if you ignore these convincing arguments - you cant refute facts...Military records and the Post Mortem exam. The one argument made by one of the guests here, that he grew since his intial height at entrance into the military - is well taken! But, Post Mortem shows Mcqueen at 5'7 or 5'8 - indicating quite clearly that he didn't grow anymore - which is the case in some people. So, Military and Post Mortem records tell the truth and eliminate speculations many have made based on evidence not in the records of life and death. Phil says on 22/Jul/11
Yes mcqueen fan.
5 foot 9 or 5 foot 9.5 great actor. mcqueen fan says on 12/Jul/11
he is listed as 5-9, 5-9.5 everywhere else, yet you guys insist on 5-10? bjb says on 24/Jun/11
I believe the 5'8". All you have to do is look at him next to actors and actresses before he was really famous. Next to 5'3" Mona Freeman he's a few inches taller, next to 5'6" Mala Powers he looks 1 - 2" taller, next to 5'6" Perry Como (he guested on his variety show) he looks about an inch taller. If you look at him near 6' 2" Martin Landau, when Landau guested on "Wanted Dead or Alive", he looks at least 6" shorter. To me, the 5'8" from the army and 5' 7" measured when he was deceased is his real height. Rich says on 30/May/11
I'm glad Rob has Mcqueen down as 5-10, even though I think he was 5-9 lol. I just think too many people wrongly have him down as 5-8, so basically what these people are saying is that hes only 0.25 inches taller than tom cruise! Well he would have to be wearing lifts almost the entire time then because he never looked that short to me Antoine says on 18/May/11
Slope, and Al are spot on!!! Mr. Kaplan says on 2/May/11
Looked 5'9" next to 6'1" James Garner. slope says on 30/Apr/11
And another thing . . . notice how Jonny Pyzer and the guy from Texas who had his post deleted (he said he served McQueen an all onion sandwich and McQueen was definitely 5' 8") both have NO CONNECTION with show business. In other words, these eyewitnesses are not trying to ingratiate themselves to anyone to get a show business job. They are not trying to add inches to make someone more imposing; they are merely giving their honest assessments as eyewitnesses. I trust their testimony more than someone who has a stake in the business and wants something. McQueen was the greatest of screen actors and his screen presence may have masked a slightly shorter stature than he claimed. james says on 20/Mar/11
Steve Mcqueen struck me as a guy of integrity with no need to lie, I believe he was 5'10" and never wore lifts because I think even good ones worn by Stallone Cruise Gibson and todays shorter stars are plain obvious because they are greedy & rather than trying to gain a couple of inches are attempting to gain 4", Burt reynolds ridiculous considering he aint that short. Anyway todays actors could only dream of being Mcqueen or Bronson, they juat lack charisma so no amount of lifts are gonna change that al says on 3/Jan/11
The military records are accurate as well as the post mortem exam but Mcqueen doesnt look to be more than 5'8"...as many comments say...you cant tell how tall soemeone is by comparing them to other actors in a particular scene because you dont know what type of shoes the actors are wearing and if lifts are used...but look at two good photos for comparison...in Papillon (as mentioned by another guest here) look at Mcqueens legs-they are short and stocky-that photo doesnt lie...the comparison when Mcqueen is standing face to face with Candice Bergen-right after Frenchy got married to Mali...Mcqueen is just equal to Bergen's height...she has low heels and Mcqueen has low quarters on...that would make him about 5'8"....the other good photo is Mcqueen's booking photo which puts him at 5'9" minus an inch or two for the shoes he's wearing-puts him at 5'8"-that photo doesnt lie...another good photo is when Mcqueen is standing right next to Faye Dunnaway in the Thomas Crown Affair-he is just about equal to her and she has on high heels.... Yes, a lot of people are putting him at 5'10, but he is normally wearing shoes so this makes him 5'8" barefoot... Mcqueen looks taller because historically he plays next to women who are very short and men who are equally short-like Dustin Hoffman who is very short and Don Gordon who is very short...some viewers put Paul Newman at 5'10 but he was very short too - I dont think he was more than 5'8"....and camera angles and other tricks make actors appear taller - look at Alan Ladd...he was very short...but camera angles make him appear taller...and Mcqueen was super conscious about his image so height was of paramount importance to him...All in all - McQueen was a great screen presence and great actor...one of my favorites...there will never be another like him... Mackdaddy says on 30/Dec/10
Five nine no more no less. His bad posture made him look shorter then he was. Antoine says on 27/Dec/10
Exactly!!! It is strange...This sight seems to enhance an actors height by a couple of inches...in need of some definite downgrades. In Marshill Terrils new book there is a photo that Steve took with Bob Hope. They are the same height in the photo! This sight lists Bob Hope at 5'10.5., yet everyone of the comments on Bob Hopes page suggest otherwise. Some as low as 5'4. I think this sight needs to seriously consider downgrading quite a few actors. Mr Mayfair says on 26/Dec/10
The military said 5'8'' and the autospy report 5'7''...so why is he listed at 5'10''? slope says on 20/Nov/10
Thank you, Antoine, for posting again. You seem to be a voice of sanity. I am perturbed that past posts were deleted, especially those of eyewitnesses. Is there a policy regarding which posts get deleted? Shouldn't posts by eyewitnesses be kept? Is there any way that the post from the guy from Texas (who claimed 5'8" for McQueen) who served McQueen the onion sandwich be re-instated or is it gone forever? At least I am referring to it now so that later viewers of this site will know it existed. Saw Robert Vaughn in person in Hollwood at the Cinerama Dome for the Jules Verne Festival tribute to McQueen. this past Veteran's Day. Jacqueline Bisset was there too, along with McQueen's son Chad and his first wife, Neile McQueen-Toeffel. Vaughn is a bit elderly and may have lost height; he is not tall. He also seems sort of thin boned, not a stocky guy. Antoine says on 18/Nov/10
I have to say and I think many of you will agree...this site is way off on many actors. Alot of actors wear lifts, and camera angles can make 5'6 look 5'10. Again there are official records out there that state facts. I really dont think that anyone can argue that...but we all do. anonymous says on 11/Nov/10
exactly 4 inches shorter than 5'5" dustin hoffman in PAPILLON. he was 5'9" Jeebs says on 9/Nov/10
Watch the scene at the end of Bullitt where McQueen is walking around in a crowded airport. 5'10 is the bare minimum for him, I'd wager 5'11 peak height. Brad says on 8/Nov/10
As listed. He never did the jump in The Great Escape. georgeclooneysmum says on 8/Nov/10
Richard Attenborough I guess must be 5'2 or 5'3 which would fit with a 6'1 to 6'2 John Wayne if mcqueen is 5'8. Robert Mitchum must be 5'11 if Yul Bryne 5'6 which fits with a 5'6 Charles bronson and a 5'11 Lee marvin, 6'1 Donald Sutherland, 6'2 Robert Ryan. I think Slope on top something. georgeclooneysmum says on 8/Nov/10
Well Slope that makes Paul Newman 5'8 and James Dean and Dennis hopper 5'6. jake 181-183 says on 7/Nov/10
I think Rampage is right actually, 177 is probably closer slope says on 7/Nov/10
OK, I'll dowgrade the other actors. Yul Brynner, according to McQueen's erstwhile manager Hilly Elkins, was not that tall. See my post below from the Terrill bio, quoting Elkins, "Steve and Yul Brynner weren’t that tall.” So, yes, I can believe Brynner was only 5'6". But why take my word for anything? What about the Texas guy who had his post deleted? He was an eyewitness and he was adamant that McQueen was only 5'8" ! What about Jonny Pyzer, infra, another eyewitness who says in his post that McQueen was only 5'8"? Are these two guys delusional or are they simply telling the truth? And aint it a coincidence that both these eyewitness --who are both adamant about McQueen being only 5'8"-- just happen to have picked the identical height that is in McQueen's military records, namely 5'8". What about the mugshot that has McQueen at 5'9" in shod feed thereby giving him at least another inch of height? I think the operators of this site are going to have to downgrade McQueen's height based on this evidence. Look at the photo links posted comparing McQueen to the 6'1" Bud Ekins, Those of us (and I am not alone) who have asserted the 5'8" height have some powerful evidence that I believe really cannot be refuted. georgeclooneysmum says on 7/Nov/10
slope if McQueen is only 5'8 you are going to have to downgrade about 100 actors. 5'8 in the marines at 17 i can buy. I was 5'9 1/2 at 17, by 18 I was an inch taller. At 44 I am 5'10 3/4.
I think the scene of him kicking away Yul Bryner pile of dust in the magificent 7 who was only 5'8 is perhaps better evidence than any of you have given her. Maybe Yul was only 5'6 I guess if mcQueen was 5'8. I can go on with another 100 actors if you like.
Pretty much the same height as Newman, maybe 5'9 1/2 at the shortest, 5'10 1/2 at most. slope says on 7/Nov/10
What?!? You delete posts?!?! How is that fair? I thought the whole point of this site was to determine the actual height of celebrities. In the case of McQueen, there has been a raging debate for some time. The guy from Texas who had his post deleted was an important eyewitness. He bravely went public saying McQueen was only 5'8". He also gave a lot of detail as to how and when he met McQueen, including the nice touch about the all onion sandwich which gave a large degree of indicia of reliability to his account. And this was an eyewitness: not some schlub with an opinion. Now that eyewitness
account is deleted while other --less reliable-- accounts saying McQueen was 5'10" are left alone. Of course, I know the counter-argument: "Hey, pal, where's your sense of humor? We're all here just to have fun." The trouble with that argument is that this site has now become too prominent. It is the first "go to" place to find the true height of a celebrity. It has become --like it or not -- the gold standard. Taking away eyewitness accounts is a disservice to those who take this site seriously. slope says on 5/Nov/10
Has this site been edited? I recall a lot more posts than what is up here now. There was a post by an eyewitness in Texas who served McQueen a sandwich with lots of onions --it's gone now. He said McQueen was only 5'8".
[Editor Rob: I delete old posts every now and again so the site doesn't get too slow] SAM says on 27/Oct/10
Some people have such a big heart that you can't acurrately judge their physical height, that would be Steve. He was probably between 5'8 and 5'9. The shorter height would enable him to be more gymnastic on a motorcycle and things like that so his athleticism and physicality made him appear bigger than 5'8, what a shame he left early, what a hell of a guy on screen anyway, he may not have had clint eastwood's height but he could out act clint in sensitive roles like the thomas crown affair as one example of many Jonny Pyzer says on 24/Oct/10
I both met, rode with for four days and became friends of Steve Mc Queen just before the filming of the Great Escape. I was on week long a off road Motorcycle training and racing preparation series with the great Trials and Enduro Champion Malcom Smith up in the Mountains above Sonora, CAand on day two (2) none other than Steve Mc Queen shows up for a tune up for his upcoming movie as he did not want a stuntman to shoot those key scenes. I was just a kid and that is what he called me but for four days we rode together and became well acquainted doing everything and I was very taken aback by his down to earth style and humble nature. But as far as him being over 5'8" "No Way" I would say that is exactly his height and I know him better than any of you. I am now a steady 6' but back then about 5'9" and he was just a little shorter than me. I mean we did everything together for several days and I sure do miss him and was very upset when He got the throat cancer and died. Funny thing is I found out today that my own brother died recently of the same thing. I'm glad I never took up smoking. It can kill you, be careful. Jonny Pyzer of Orange Co. Calif. 10/23/2010 |
