How tall was Rosalind Russell

Rosalind Russell's Height

5ft 7 (170.2 cm)

American actress best remembered for roles in films such as His Girl Friday, My Sister Eileen, The Women, Sister Kenny, Gypsy, The Trouble with Angels, Five Finger Exercise, Picnic, Mourning Becomes Electra and Auntie Mame. A 1960 article had some info about her height: " 'Why do girls play down their height? They even develop bad posture trying to take off inches, and just call attention to their discomfort.' Rosalind, who is 5 feet 7 and looks much taller, points out that low shoes are a dead-giveaway, if one is self conscious about height.". In 1958 Rosalind was quote saying: "I'm 5 foot 8 in my stocking feet". At age 28, she wrote her weight as "122" lbs.
Most short men like to dance with tall girls, but I am not so tall. I am just a fraction over 5 feet 6, but sometimes in the evening I wear four-inch heels which sets me up pretty tall, I guess. If a great big tall fellow comes up and wants me to dance, we won't make one turn before a short one cuts in on me. I wish I could get one full dance with a big, tall man.
- 1938

How tall is Rosalind Russell
By General Electric Theater, via Wikimedia Commons

Add a Comment14 comments

Average Guess (2 Votes)
5ft 7in (170.2cm)
Paul Wood said on 27/May/18
Often gets listed as 5ft 8in but I've never thought she was. I think 5ft 7in is correct which was tall for a woman back then, and quite tall for a woman even now.
anyonmious said on 23/Dec/16
An article in the 1943 current biography green bible yearbook has her at 5'6".
Arch Stanton said on 29/Jun/16
5'7.5 is arguable.
Arch Stanton said on 29/Jun/16
Can definitely look tall and 5 ft 8-9 at times but with Janet Blair looks about 3 inches taller so 5 ft 7 is more likely than 5 ft 8. She was a tall 5 ft 7 though, at times can look a few inches taller.
Arch Stanton said on 22/May/16
Rob is the photo showing on your computer? It's not showing on mine.
Editor Rob
wasn't uploaded so it is now thanks, any bugs are worth mentioning, especially if a photo doesn't show, it is usually a spelling error or forgotten to upload it.
Arch Stanton said on 22/May/16
Certainly no more than 5'7 in Sister Kenny. Only looked tallish in that film for some reason!
Arch Stanton said on 22/Aug/15
Looks about 5 ft 8 with Forrest Tucker.
Arch Stanton said on 22/Aug/15
Rob can you add a photo and films Gypsy, The Trouble with Angels, Five Finger Exercise and Picnic?
Sam said on 17/Mar/14
Loved her look and attitude in His Girl Friday. I too thought she was over average, maybe near 5'8". She certainly was the tallest of the female ensemble in The Women.
little sue said on 29/Jan/14
5ft 8 on other sites. A very tall girl from that era, I suppose the equivelent of Nicole Kidman now.
Arch Stanton said on 29/Jan/14
I doubt she was really taller as she'd be over 5'10" in heels! But in heels next to short men she could certainly give the illusion of a few inches taller. I've seen the first 4 films here, Mourning and Aunty I'm yet to see. I can't remember her in The Women because there was so many women in it LOL. I really liked Rosalind a lot, I think she was great!
Arch Stanton said on 29/Jan/14
She looks taller if anything compared to a lot of guys though and can look near 5'9 at times. This is probably about right although she looks a bit shorter next to Grant and Bellamy.
Arch Stanton said on 29/Jan/14
Rob can you add best known for films like His Girl Friday, My Sister Eileen, The Women, Sister Kenny, Mourning Becomes Electra and Auntie Mame? Gracias.

Mmm in heels in His Girl Friday and looks shorter to me next to Cary Grant. She really doesn't look this in comparison. See 10 minutes range in Click Here for instance Any idea Little Sue?
Editor Rob
5ft 7 I think is ok.

I had a dig around and found that she actually claimed taller!
Gregory lehmann said on 28/Jun/11
Just as only Basil Rathbone could play Sherlock Holmes or only Raymond Burr could play Perry Mason,there is only one Auntie Mame/Rosalind Russell! Life is a banquet!

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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