You’ve probably seen him commanding a stage on Broadway or stealing scenes as Blaine Anderson on Glee. Darren Criss has this weirdly massive energy that makes him feel like the tallest guy in the room. But when he stands next to a costar or hits a red carpet, fans start squinting at their screens. People always ask: how tall is Darren Criss, exactly?
There is a huge debate about this online. Some sites swear he’s pushing 5'9", while others say he’s closer to 5'7". If you’ve ever seen him live—maybe at Elsie Fest or during his recent Tony-winning run in Maybe Happy Ending—you know he isn’t a giant. But he isn't tiny either.
Honestly, the "official" number most sources settle on is 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm).
The Height Debate: Is He Really 5'8"?
Celebrity heights are notoriously unreliable. Agents love to add an inch or two for the "leading man" look. In Darren's case, the consensus usually lands between 5'7" and 5'8".
Why the confusion? It’s basically about proportions and footwear. Darren often wears boots or dress shoes with a bit of a heel for performances. When he’s standing next to someone like Chris Colfer, who is roughly 5'10" or 5'11", the difference is noticeable but not staggering.
Then you have his stage presence. In Hedwig and the Angry Inch, he spent half the show in massive platform heels. In that context, he looked 6 feet tall. It’s all about the "star power" illusion.
- Reported Height: 5'8" (173 cm)
- Likely Barefoot Height: 5'7.5"
- Comparison: Roughly the same height as stars like Tom Cruise or Robert Downey Jr.
He’s a self-described "scrappy" guy. He’s thin, athletic, and moves with a lot of kinetic energy. That lean build often makes people look taller than they actually are on camera.
Does Height Matter for a Tony Winner?
Clearly, it doesn't. Darren just won the 2025 Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical for his role as Oliver in Maybe Happy Ending. He made history as the first Asian American actor to win in that category.
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Playing a "Helperbot" robot required a specific kind of physical acting. He had to move with a certain precision and charm. Whether he was 5'5" or 6'5" wouldn't have changed the fact that he absolutely nailed the performance.
In Hollywood and on Broadway, being around 5'8" is actually a bit of a "sweet spot." It makes you easy to cast alongside most leading ladies. Think about it. If a lead actor is too tall, the cinematographers have to use boxes for the other actors. If he’s Darren’s height, everything just... fits.
Comparing Darren to Other Stars
Let’s look at some side-by-sides.
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When he was on Glee, he was often seen with Lea Michele. Lea is about 5'3". Standing next to her, Darren looked quite tall. But put him next to Jane Lynch (who is 6'0"), and he looks like a kid.
In The Assassination of Gianni Versace, he played Andrew Cunanan. The real Cunanan was around 5'9". Darren fit the profile perfectly. His performance was so chilling and physically transformative that his actual height was the last thing on anyone's mind. He won an Emmy and a Golden Globe for that role, proving that "screen presence" is a real thing that has nothing to do with inches.
The Style Factor: How He Dresses for His Height
Darren is a bit of a fashion icon. He isn't afraid of bold patterns, velvet suits, or high-waisted trousers.
- Slim Silhouettes: He usually wears well-tailored, slim-cut suits. This creates a vertical line that elongates his body.
- The Hair: Let's be real—the curls add at least an inch. Whether it's the sleek Blaine Anderson gel-down or his natural wild curls, his hair volume contributes to his overall "height" profile.
- Footwear: He loves a good Chelsea boot. These naturally have a 1-inch to 1.5-inch heel, which puts him right at that 5'9" or 5'10" mark in public appearances.
Why We Are So Obsessed With Celeb Heights
It’s a weird human quirk. We want to know if we could take them in a fight or if we’d have to look up to talk to them. For Darren Criss, his height is part of his "everyman" appeal. He’s relatable. He isn't some untouchable, 6'4" specimen of a human. He’s a guy who worked his way up from YouTube stardom with StarKid to the pinnacle of Broadway.
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He’s proof that you don't need to be "tall" to be a powerhouse.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans
If you're looking to channel that Darren Criss energy, don't worry about the measuring tape. Focus on the "presence."
- Tailoring is everything. If you aren't 6 feet tall, baggy clothes will swallow you. Get your stuff hemmed.
- Confidence is the real height. Darren moves like he owns the stage. That’s why he looks "big."
- Embrace your proportions. He knows he’s a smaller guy compared to some athletes or action stars, and he uses it to his advantage in high-energy, physical roles.
Next time you see him on screen and wonder how tall is Darren Criss, just remember: he’s 5'8" on paper, but he’s a giant in the industry. Whether he’s playing a singing robot or a dark villain, he fills the frame just fine.
To see the height difference for yourself, check out his older interviews with the Glee cast or look at his red carpet photos from the 2025 Tonys. You’ll see that while he might be on the shorter side of the "leading man" spectrum, his talent is what actually stands tall.