Whenever we think of Hollywood actors, we tend to think of tall people, but talent knows no vertical limit! In the vast landscape of Hollywood, representation matters a lot. It allows people of different shapes and sizes, cultures, and races to exist and share the big screen. This gives people sitting on this side of the screen, us- the audience, inspiration and motivation to achieve our dreams as well.
The average height of an African-American male is determined to be over 5’9″, and anything below that is considered to be short, generally. But to showcase your indomitable talent, you don’t need to be tall either. This is proven by the amazing short black actors who have taken up space with confidence and pride. So, don’t you think these short kings deserve a shout-out! Let’s celebrate and acknowledge these short black male actors, reminding us that talent transcends physical dimensions.
List of 10 short black actors
1. Kavin Hart-5’5″
What Kevin Hart lacks in height, he makes up for it with his comedic talent. As one of the most recognizable short black actors, he has always openly joked about his height in comedy shows to give audiences a relatable story, which he claims, “other people don’t have the heart to say.” He has appeared in some of the biggest Hollywood movies, including “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle” (2017), “Jumanji: The Next Level (2019), “Ride Along” (2014), “The Upside” (2014), among many.
2. Tracy Morgan-5’8″
With his rapid-fire delivery, outrageous characters, and fearless humor, Tracy Morgan is one of the most famous black actors in the entertainment industry. He is mostly known for his iconic roles on “Saturday Night Live” and for his role of Tracy Jordan in the hilarious sitcom, “30 Rock”.
3. Tony Cox-3’6″
Tony Cox, with a career spanning decades, is known for his roles in “Bad Santa” (2003), “Spaceballs” (1987), and “Bad Santa 2” (2016). As a little person and one of the most famous short black actors in Hollywood, Tony Cox is an inspiration to many.
4. Kenan Thompson-5’8″
Kenan Thompson is a well known short black comedian actor. He is known worldwide for his humorous portrayal of a diverse range of characters on Saturday Night Live. Impressively, he has been a regular cast member on SNL for 21 seasons, making him the longest-tenured cast member on SNL.
5. Ami Ameen-5’7”
Ami Ameen is one of the emerging short black actors who have been able to capture the audience’s attention with their powerful performances and undeniable screen presence. From playing the role of the complex and troubled Capheus in “Sense8” to Martin Luther King Jr. in the documentary-drama “Rustin” (2023), Ameen has proved himself to be a rising star of Hollywood.
6. Martin Lawrence – 5’7″
Martin Lawrence rose to fame for his role in the sitcom “What’s Happening Now?” (1987-88) for his razor- sharp comedic timing. But he became one of the known names of short black actors with his role in the cop comedy movie series “Bad Boys” and the outrageous comedy classic, “Big Momma’s House”.
7. Eddie Murphy-5’9″
Eddie Murphy is undoubtedly one of the most famous black male actors and an influential comedian of his time. He started his career as a cast member of “Saturday Night Live” in the early ’80s. His amazing comedic timing and memorable characters in movies like “Beverly Hills Cop” (1984), “Coming to America” (1988), and “Shrek” (2004), among many, made him a household name in the US and beyond.
8. Shameik Moore – 5’7″
Shameik Moore is a multi talented actor, singer, and dancer- a true triple treat. He has quickly proven his talent and versatility with the breakout role in “Dope” (2015), capturing the complexities of urban youth. But he is widely known among the superhero fans as the voice of this generation’s Spiderman, Miles Morales, in the sensational animated movies, “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” (2018), and “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” (2023).
9. Donald Glover – 5’9″
Donald Glover is one of the most talented African American male movie actors and shines in whatever he dabbles in! As a true short king, Glover exudes confidence with his sharp fashion sense and his sense of humor. Known for “Community”, “Atlanta”, and “Mr. & Mrs. Smith” among with his comedy special shows, Glover is at an impressive height in his career.
10. Lil Rel Howery – 5’6″
Lil Rel Howery got his start in Hollywood with the instant horror classic, “Get Out” (2017), and has emerged as one of the breakout short black actors, rising to a superstar status. He has also appeared in “Free Guy” (2021), “Vacation Friends” (2021), and “Reunion” (2021), among many.
Conclusion
The list consists of black actors who fall short of the average height, but are in no way short of talent! From comedy to drama, these actors have dominated the big screen with their amazing performances and presence. They are the living proof that if you have talent and dedication, then nothing can stop you from achieving that dream.
