How tall is Paul Giamatti

Paul Giamatti's Height

5ft 8 ½ (174 cm)

American Actor best known for roles in films such as Sideways, The Illusionist, Cinderella Man, Shoot Em Up, Rock of Ages, The Amazing Spider-Man 2, Barney's Version, American Splendor and Private Parts. On TV he starred in the HBO mini-series John Adams. His height varies depending on how much he's slouching, of which he does a lot. In Esquire magazine he talked about his height: "That's a bizarre thing, the size thing. People think I'm five-foot-four. They're standing in the room with me and they write, "He's weirdly small." What is that? Tell me what that is -- it's your brethren, and what's the story with that? If I was five-four, I'd completely cop to it, but I'm not -- I'm five-nine, five-ten. It's really bizarre. It's like people want me to be five-foot-four."

How tall is Paul Giamatti
Paul and Ryan Reynolds
Photos by PR Photos
[What public misconception would you correct?]
That I'm not 5-foot-4. Everybody talks about how short I am. It's slightly annoying...I don't need to tower over people. I just don't need to be a munchkin. It's very funny. There's always this thing like 'God, He's really short.' I'm not that short! If I was short, I'd cop to it. But that would be the one: my whole book would be about how I'm not short.

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Add a Comment111 comments

Average Guess (16 Votes)
5ft 7.53in (171.5cm)
Mickie said on 18/Apr/22
He looks well shorter than 5'8.5" with Ryan Reynolds above.
6james94 said on 9/May/21
I think he is fine listed at at 5’8 1/2. There’s other photos of him with Paul Rudd where he looks 5’8 1/2. Though again I used to think Paul Rudd looked 5’9 or less I’m actually starting to believe he looks 5’9 or a little over. So 5’8 1/2 for Paul Giamatti.
BT said on 10/Mar/21
@Rob: Not impossible he reached a comfortable 5'8 in his prime, but maybe I wouldn't bet on a big 5'8.5. Here in 2018 with Paul Rudd who's arguably no more than 5'9 Giamatti is standing quite well and is still over 1 inch shorter Click Here.

I wouldn't think dropping more than 1.5-2in range was likely with his stance unless he's actively trying to make himself appear as short as possible by bending both knees and leaning excessively as well. He's in his 50's though and not exactly fit, and with his posture I could imagine he has shrunk a little more than expected by now, maybe even from a few years back in late 40's.
Editor Rob
he would struggle to look over 5ft 8 there
Elroy said on 9/Feb/21
Not only that @bernno but zoom in on Paul's ankle, 2-3” in his heels. 172cm at best but that’s probably generous.
bernno said on 15/Jul/20
Yeah that looks like a solid 6 inch difference to me too. In addition to that it looks like Ryan is dropping some height.
jano said on 17/Jun/20
This listing is too high, although reynolds is really tall, but thats at least 15-16 cm difference in my opinion.
bernno said on 14/Jun/20
Hey Rob, how tall do you think Paul looks in the above picture next to Reynolds?
Editor Rob
He can struggle to look over 5ft 8
Daniel said on 3/Apr/20
The guy gives a short impression to me. I would not guess more than 1.72m for him.
Danil said on 9/Mar/20
No no no, not 174! Look at rhe picture with Rayan,of rayan 188, Paul like 167-168!
Canson said on 9/Oct/18
How tall does he look with Samuel L Jackson in Netogiator? Jackson was possibly closer to his peak back in 98
joshjeffords said on 9/Oct/18
Probably a flat 5 7 to be generous looks even less most times.
Seen him a lot never gives an average or better profile.
AskRob said on 28/Apr/18
Hi Rob, Marino declared 5'6”.
Do you think he is a real 5'6” in this photo with Giamatti or he’s more between 5'5"-5'6”?
Click Here
Editor Rob
That guy might be a weak 5ft 6
Zzzzz said on 3/Mar/18
5'6 5'7 definitely not 5'4 and neather 5'9 5'10
Jacob said on 18/Oct/17
Watching John Adams the HBO show he does huntch badly but 5'8" he defiantly looks around that about 6'4" actor who played George Washington
robin said on 8/Sep/17
he looks short in the show billions, he looks about 5-5
Adamz said on 19/May/17
I do not think he is 68.5"
Jay said on 16/Feb/17
He has a VERY small head, gives him a 5'4 vibe.
BT said on 11/Apr/16
@Editor Rob: Would you agree that 5'8-8.5 is the range he can look?
Editor Rob
he can look shorter, but I think generally taking posture into account he could be somewhere around that zone.
Sam said on 15/Dec/14
Rob, could you please add Private Parts, American Splendor, Barney's Version, Win Win and the title role in TV's John Adams to his credits?
ray said on 6/Nov/14
5'8.5 seems a fine estimate I would have guessed 5'8 range for him, no way is he 5'10 and even 5'9 seems a bit much, maybe close to 5'8.5
Arch Stanton said on 4/Nov/14
Nah in most scenes Sam this pretty much looks on the money.
Arch Stanton said on 3/Nov/14
He can look 5 ft 9 flat next to him I guess.
Arch Stanton said on 3/Nov/14
Sam says on 24/Jul/13
In Sideways, there's several shots of Giamatti walking with Thomas Haden Church and he bizarrely looks 1-2 inches shorter not 3 or so. I think Giamatti does clear 5'9" at least in the morning.

Dunno, in some comparisons it looks a clear 3 inches, in other scenes it looks a bit less. Great film though isn't it!!
Arch Stanton said on 3/Nov/14
About three inches shorter than Thomas Haden Church, maybe a tad less than this but about right.
Mike T said on 13/Jun/14
I'd say 5'7" MAX. Kevin Spacey looked like he had a couple inches on him in Fred Claus and he's listed at 5'9.75 on here and people are saying he's 5'8" or near 5'9".
Bard said on 3/May/14
He came up as 5'6 in a mugshot in the new Spiderman film...not saying he's that short though.
WakeUp said on 1/Mar/14
I'm telling you..5'6" as seen in person , up close too!
cole said on 27/Feb/14
One thing he is not is "five-nine, five-ten". Absolutely no way. He could maybe be the listed 5'8.5 if he stood with his best posture, but more often than not, 5'8 looks about it for him.
WakeUp said on 14/Feb/14
This guys is like 5'6". Saw him on Set up close & personal. Maybe even shorter!
JB said on 26/Oct/13
He does have pretty bad posture most of the time. If Giamatti stood up strait I'm sure 5'9" is possible, or he could have at least been that when he was younger. Although I don't think you lose much height at only 46.
Rampage(-_-_-)Clover said on 27/Sep/13
Looks a solid 174cm. Edged from Tom Cruise in Rock Of Ages
Sam said on 31/Jul/13
Not the best height comparison shot, cole, Giamatti looks a head shorter but is bending his knees a bit. In other shots, Giamatti comes up roughly to Reynolds' ear. This listing is accurate in IMO.
Click Here
cole said on 29/Jul/13
Click Here

I don't know about over 5'8, if even that. I can see him as low as 5'7-7.5 range at times.
Sam said on 24/Jul/13
In Sideways, there's several shots of Giamatti walking with Thomas Haden Church and he bizarrely looks 1-2 inches shorter not 3 or so. I think Giamatti does clear 5'9" at least in the morning.
truth178.5cm said on 16/Mar/13
wakes up between 5ft9/10 at 176cm (hence the claim)and goes down to 174cm at the end of the day. Still slightly taller than cruise. Cruise can pull of claiming 173cm, this guy 175cm.
the shredder said on 25/Jul/12
He looks 5'9 with james mcavoy
dmeyer said on 10/Oct/11
can look 174cm is some pics with good posture
dmeyer said on 10/Oct/11
if he walks at 5 ft 7 but measures 5 ft 8 whi list him 5 ft 8.5
Editor Rob
maybe a benefit of doubt, 173 might turn out closer
Dmeyer said on 9/Oct/11
Mush closer to 5'7 in pictures or in person
Dmeyer said on 9/Oct/11
Rob hí¯¿½ looked smaller in person are you sí¯¿½re hí¯¿½ is that tall
Editor Rob
maybe a guy who walks like a 5ft 7 but could measure 5ft 8? There are some guys who have shuffling and bad stances but can measure taller.
Budd 631 said on 22/Sep/11
5'7" TOPS! I was 2 feet from him at JFK airport. I'm 6'1" and he wasn't even close.
the shredder said on 6/Sep/11
I say the listed height is fair ... His 5'9 , 5'10 is a joke ... The bigger joke is Mr.R's 5'5 !
jake said on 12/Jul/11
5ft8-5ft8.25 is my guess as he looked a solid few inches under 181 cm Thomas Haden Church in Sideways.
jtm said on 15/Jun/11
hard to tell how tall he is.
Zman said on 7/May/11
Looks 5'7.5
Bill said on 30/Mar/11
Wasn't even up to Conan's chin last night, 5'6 - 5'7 seems right
john said on 19/Dec/10
Paul Giamatti next to 5ft11(acording to this site and others) Scott Speedman

Click Here

and scott is standing on a lower level. i think Mr. Giamatti needs a fast downgrade.
Al said on 18/Jun/09
I just met him a week ago and got a picture with him. We were wearing similar footwear from what I can tell and are the exact same height in the pic. I'm 5'7.5" barefoot. I'm guessing he's the same or maybe even 5'7". Definitely not the 5'8.5" you have him listed at.
Ace said on 25/Apr/09
It turns out his son samuel goes to my karate class. I got to see mr. Giamatti a few times. He is a pretty cool guy. My personal guess is somewhere around 5`9. He is likely not any shorter. Seriously Mr. R. 5`5?!! If he were 5`5, that would make me just under 5`11 (i am just under 6`3).
MarcusTheSwede said on 2/Apr/09
Strange..he dont look 174 when standing besides Cliwe Owen..and he is tall.. Giamatti looks taller then 174 when standing beside Cliwe Owen in latest movie..
Sam said on 2/Mar/09
5'5"-5'7" is hard to believe. If you see Sideways, he holds his own with 5'11" Thomas Haden Church. Also, I don't recall any point where Linney was taller in John Adams.
Lenad said on 7/Aug/08
Mr R! Your back after a few years!
Mr. R said on 4/Aug/08
Paul is a little over 5-5. I met him at a Sideways screening at Fox Studios on level ground. How he can get away with 5-9?
Lenad said on 23/Jun/08
Five Nine-Five ten in shoes I'd say.
Samuel said on 15/Apr/08
you guys look like brothers
eddiehaskell said on 13/Apr/08
Now this is a guy with horrible posture.
D. Ray Morton said on 7/Apr/08
Bryce - I noticed that, too. There was a straight-on shot of them close together in Part 5, wherein he was very clearly at least an inch shorter than she. And I don't think she was wearing heels either, was she?
brother_h said on 4/Apr/08
on thunder pants it said he was 5'10 on his security card.
dmeyer said on 4/Apr/08
in person looked nowere near 5 ft 8.5 he looked more 5 ft 7 so i guess he wears elevator since he got famous look at paycheck he is 20 cm under 189 affleck looks 5 ft 6.5 near afleck ,he looks under average in person ,rob is there a chance he is 5 ft 7.5 and wears elevators to look near 5 ft 9
anonymous said on 4/Apr/08
wow I thought he was shorter. I guess that comes from his persona on screen. He looks so sad in the photo.
Bryce said on 31/Mar/08
I think he's more like 5'6". He's an inch or two shorter than Laura Linney (5'7") in John Adams.
glenn said on 18/Feb/08
i agree with chris175.but that would mean crowe is the 5-11.5 i saw the first time.in cinderella man he was taller than paul.ive also seen crowe look 5-10ish.but im not sure if thats posture.same low figure for denzel.
chris175 said on 17/Feb/08
i dont think so gossip boy, he has one of the worst psotures ive ever seen, in his 20s he could very well have been 5-10 stretched out, if he stands up straight in the photos above he would be 5-9 to 5-9.5, glenn is closer to the camera in both pics
gossip boy said on 16/Feb/08
he is a lift wearer I agee with dmeyer..this guy is 5'7 at his best...I can swer barefoot glenn is taller than paul
Yaspaa said on 14/Feb/08
I think these pics are deceptivly misleading regarding this guy's true height. Glenn's visual opinion should be given serious consideration on judging Paul's true stature.
Given the choice Glenn would you change the height from 5' 8.5"?
Are you on the fence?
He's a tricky one.
Sideways rocks!
Sideways rocks!
the shredder said on 12/Feb/08
Yep , He doesnt look happy and he doesnt look 5'9 - 5'10 ... LOL !
glenn said on 11/Feb/08
he is very nice actually.as for lady in the water,i never saw,looked stupid by previews and reviews.most hated it.but i came across people,close to me and opinions that i trust,that say it was good.so im intrigued.but i thought the village was awful.unbreakable ok.not great.signs really good.
denis said on 11/Feb/08
he doesnt look happy to have his pic taken ! :)

Editor Rob
would you look happy if you'd just starred in Lady in the Water?

I think I'd be quite glum too!
acg said on 3/Feb/08
clive owen is over 6'2.
the unknown said on 27/Dec/07
he looked 5'8 in Shoot Em Up, but again clive owen is 6'2 so 5'8.5 is about right
glenn said on 27/Dec/07
5-10 is kinda pushing it.but 5-9.25,5-9.5 is very possible.
the shredder said on 27/Dec/07
A very poor postured 5'8.5 - 5'9 maybe , but 5'10 is pushing it !
dmeyer said on 26/Dec/07
i think he is a lifts wearer
dmeyer said on 25/Dec/07
does look about 5'9 with ,it is weird he looked 5'7 in person on sideways i guess posture
Gago said on 25/Dec/07
Exactly Glenn, I met him in LA and worked with him, seen him with steve madden flat type shoes and he gives you the impression of a below average man, but that's just his posture, actually he's 176-177 or 5-9.
glenn said on 24/Dec/07
5-9 with bad posture.5-10 is possible.
Editor Rob said on 23/Dec/07
In Esquire magazine:
"That's a bizarre thing, the size thing. People think I'm five-foot-four. They're standing in the room with me and they write, "He's weirdly small." What is that? Tell me what that is -- it's your brethren, and what's the story with that? If I was five-four, I'd completely cop to it, but I'm not -- I'm five-nine, five-ten. It's really bizarre. It's like people want me to be five-foot-four."
cantstop25 said on 30/Nov/07
looks really tall in the top pick
steph said on 14/Nov/07
he struck me as 5 6 ish, maybe it's his round body stucture
Danius said on 21/Sep/07
has always looked 5'7 to me in movies.
dmeyer said on 14/Aug/07
i agree with mr r he looked closer to 5'6 to 5'7 tange
glenn said on 9/Aug/07
heard about sideways.cinderella man was great.didnt see the others except obviously private parts.
D. Ray Morton said on 9/Aug/07
I like what he brings to every role - but Sideways, American Splendor, The Hawk Is Dying, Confidence, Private Parts, Cinderella Man, and The Illusionist are my favorites.
glenn said on 9/Aug/07
for what roles?
D. Ray Morton said on 8/Aug/07
Good to hear, Glenn. One of my favorites, definitely.
glenn said on 8/Aug/07
always a great guy.
TheJerk said on 7/May/07
He never even looks a full 5-8.
radio_man said on 1/Feb/07
nop! I see him as a 5'6 guy, come on! he looks short in all his movies!
glenn, what kind of shoes he was wearing?
jason said on 1/Feb/07
come on he is like 174-175 cm, loock in the pics with glenn!, he`s taller at least with an inch, and hes slouching! upgrade this guy..
dmeyer said on 13/Dec/06
he looks taller than glenn in person looked small but i cant say how tall
Glenn said on 28/Aug/06
Weird angle on both pics.
Mr. T said on 27/Aug/06
He looked like a slightly-below-average-sized guy in Sideways. I'll believe 5'8", but in the top photo, he actually looks ever-so-slightly taller than Glenn with a worse slouch.
D. Ray Morton said on 6/Aug/06
I agree with 174. He looks his advertised height.
trueheight said on 6/Aug/06
I see at least 174; he has an atrocious slouch
dmeyer said on 19/Jul/06
he looks aleat 173 in those pics
D. Ray Morton said on 19/Jul/06
How could this guy "really" be 5'5"?

He looks pretty big, too (big head, etc.).
ForensicNYC said on 30/May/06
5'8" Paul Giamatti becomes the 5'2" SLAVE TRADER in The Planet of the Apes...
Click Here
With 5'10" Russel Crowe..."Now Russ, stop throwing telephones around, see what happened to your hand.."
Click Here
Glenn said on 5/Apr/06
Footwear was normal.
D. Ray Morton said on 3/Apr/06
I have to say that he really does look 5'8" here. Was his footwear especially sinister?
Marc said on 4/Feb/06
If you notice Stiffy, Giamatti is slouching. He is probably around 5'8" when he stands properly.
Stiffelio said on 25/Jan/06
Giamatti actually looks like an inch shorter than Glenn. Depending on shoes I'd stick to my suspicion he's 5ft 7in.
CoolJ said on 25/Jan/06
HE's standing behind Glenn.. but I think MAX is 5'8
sam said on 30/Dec/05
According to his myspace profile, Giamatti describes himself as "5'9"/with a little extra baggage".

Editor Rob
got a link to this? Giamatti on myspace...somehow my skeptometer reading is at breaking point
Kal said on 26/Dec/05
Thomas Hayden Church cannot be as tall as 5"10 - he'd have to be four inches taller than Paul G - which if you watch Sideways and even taking account of footwear he definately is NOT.
Markie said on 4/Dec/05
In The Wedding Singer he looked about 5'7 tops. If Adam Sandler is about 5'10, Giamatti he looks about 3 1/2 inches shorter than Sandler.
dmeyer said on 3/Dec/05
when i worked on side wais he looked 5'7 but i can be mistaking so 5'8 is possible
Viper652 said on 9/Jul/05
Jim Carrey is not 6-2. hes between 6-0 to 6-1. That would put Paul closer to Mr. R's 5-5 guess.
Mr Klaus said on 8/Jul/05
In Man on The Moon he looked 5/6 inches shorter than 6 ft 2 Carrey, so I think that 5 ft 8 is right, maybe 172 CM. And Mr. R this is a serious site.
Mr. R said on 4/Jun/05
dmeyer, as I shared with my favorite celebheights editor, I met Giamatti at a screening of Sideways. He is about 5-5.
dmeyer said on 3/Jun/05
i worked on sidewaise and i dont remember him that tall if giamatti is 174 then affleck is pushing 6'5''
Mr. R said on 3/Mar/05
Okay, you will disagree, but I have my own eyewitness account. I went to a screening of Sideways at the Fox Studio. I stoo next to Thomas Haden Church, and he is at best 5'10", maybe a little smaller. I stood next to Giamatti, and he is no more than 5'6". He seems taller on screen, but I saw him with regular shoes, and I towered over him at 5'11.5. That's my story and I'm sticking to it!

Heights are barefeet estimates, derived from quotations, official websites, agency resumes, in person encounters with actors at conventions and pictures/films.

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