Laura Dern Reveals Height Challenges in Hollywood

Laura Dern is opening up about how her height has shaped her career. The Oscar-winning actress, who stands at 5’11”, recently shared that she has been rejected for roles “about 150 times” because of her “radically tall torso” and statuesque frame.

Growing Tall in Hollywood

In an interview with The Independent, Dern explained that she was already 5’11” at age 12, which made acting difficult early on. “I was losing parts constantly,” she said, noting that her height often worked against her in casting decisions. Despite the challenges, Dern has built a celebrated career spanning decades, with standout performances in Jurassic Park, Big Little Lies, and Marriage Story.

Finding the Right Co-Star

Dern said filming opposite Will Arnett in Bradley Cooper’s upcoming movie Is This Thing On? was refreshing. Arnett, who is 6’2”, matched her height, allowing them to look directly into each other’s eyes during scenes. “It’s crazy to be in a scene with a male actor, and we’re actually looking straight into each other’s eyes,” she said.

Fashion World Embrace

While Hollywood has sometimes struggled to accommodate her height, the fashion industry has embraced it. Dern made her runway debut at Paris Fashion Week in October 2025, walking in Gabriela Hearst’s show in a romantic floral appliqué dress. Her commanding presence on the catwalk highlighted how her tall frame can be an asset in other industries.

Not Alone in Her Experience

Dern is not the only star to speak out about height challenges. Nicole Kidman, also 5’11”, once admitted to lying about her height to audition for Annie. Gwendoline Christie, known for Game of Thrones and Wednesday, has also shared concerns about being “cast-able” because of her height, before ultimately embracing her uniqueness.

A Different Perspective

Dern’s candid comments shed light on how physical attributes can influence opportunities in Hollywood. While height has sometimes limited her roles, it has also given her a distinctive presence that continues to captivate audiences on screen and beyond.