If you’ve ever watched a classic episode of Perry Mason, you probably noticed that Paul Drake didn’t just walk into a room—he sort of loomed over it. There was this specific presence he had. William Hopper stood 6 feet 3 inches tall, a height that made him a natural fit for the "tough but smooth" private investigator role that defined his career. Honestly, in an era where many leading men were surprisingly short and relied on "apple boxes" to look their co-stars in the eye, Hopper was a genuine giant.
He didn't just have height; he had a certain broad-shouldered athleticism that stayed with him his whole life. It’s funny because his father, DeWolf Hopper, was even taller, reportedly hitting 6 feet 5 inches. You can see where the genes came from. But for William, being 6'3" wasn't always a blessing in the early days of Hollywood.
Why 6'3" Was a Problem for William Hopper
Back in the 1930s and 40s, Hollywood had a weird relationship with tall actors. If you were too big, you often got relegated to playing "heavy" villains or anonymous soldiers because you’d make the leading man look small. Hopper dealt with this constantly. He spent years in bit parts, often uncredited.
His mother was the legendary (and terrifying) gossip columnist Hedda Hopper. You’d think that would help. It didn't. He actually hated the "nepo baby" label before that was even a thing. He wanted to do his own thing, but he was so nervous in front of the camera that he used to stutter. Combine that stage fright with a towering frame that intimidated directors, and you get a career that almost didn't happen.
Basically, he felt like a bit of a misfit. He eventually quit acting altogether to sell cars.
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The Frogman Years
World War II changed everything for him. He didn't just serve; he joined the Navy as a "frogman" in the Underwater Demolition Teams (UDT), which were the precursors to the Navy SEALs. Imagine a 6'3" man swimming through dark Pacific waters to dismantle underwater mines.
- Height as an asset: In the Navy, his physical size and strength were finally put to practical use.
- The Bronze Star: He earned this for valor during operations in the Pacific.
- A physical transformation: The sheer stress of the war turned his hair from brown to that iconic "salt and pepper" grey almost overnight.
When he came back, he was different. He was more relaxed. He didn't care about the Hollywood games as much. This new confidence is what eventually caught the eye of director William Wellman, who convinced him to get back into movies.
Casting Paul Drake: The Height Dynamic
When Perry Mason started casting in the late 50s, Hopper actually auditioned for the lead role of Perry. Can you imagine? A 6'3" Perry Mason? It would have been a completely different show.
Raymond Burr eventually got the part, and Hopper was cast as the private eye, Paul Drake. This was a stroke of genius. Burr was a big man himself, standing about 6 feet tall and carrying a lot of weight. If they had cast a short actor as Drake, the physical dynamic would have looked off. Instead, you had these two massive guys—Hopper at 6'3" and Burr—commanding the screen together.
The "Big Kid" Energy
Despite his height, Hopper played Drake with a "big kid" energy. He was often seen leaning against doorways or slouching in chairs, which was actually a clever way to fit his large frame into the camera frame without overshadowing everyone else. He became known as the "eating machine" on set because his character was always snacking.
- The Height Contrast: He was significantly taller than Barbara Hale (Della Street), who was around 5'5".
- The Wardrobe: His suits were always impeccably tailored to emphasize his height without making him look lanky.
- The Persona: He used his height to convey a sense of protection. When Paul Drake was on the case, you felt safe.
Misconceptions About His Stature
Some people think Hopper was taller than he actually was because he was so thin during the early seasons of Perry Mason. He had that classic "tall and lanky" look. Later on, he and Raymond Burr famously joked about their weight. Hopper once quipped that he and Ray were "both fat" and that they couldn't even fit on the TV screen together.
He eventually went on a crash diet to keep up with Burr's weight loss. But even at his heaviest, that 6'3" frame distributed the weight in a way that just made him look like a formidable guy you wouldn't want to mess with in a dark alley.
What Most People Get Wrong
People often confuse William with his father, DeWolf. Because his father was a massive star in musical theater and famous for the poem "Casey at the Bat," their stats sometimes get blurred. William was a distinct 6'3", while his father was the one pushing 6'5".
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Also, fans sometimes assume he used lifts. No way. Hopper was naturally tall. If anything, he was trying to look shorter most of the time to avoid making his co-stars feel diminutive.
A Quick Look at the Numbers
- Height: 6 feet 3 inches (191 cm)
- Build: Broad-shouldered, athletic
- Distinguishing Feature: Early-onset grey hair from wartime service
Hopper passed away in 1970 at just 55 years old. It’s a shame, because his physical presence was such a staple of TV. He retired from acting right after Perry Mason ended, mostly because he was happy just living his life away from the spotlight.
If you want to appreciate his stature, watch the 1957 sci-fi flick 20 Million Miles to Earth. He plays Col. Robert Calder. Seeing him stand next to the stop-motion Ymir monster really puts his height into perspective. He looks every bit the mid-century hero.
Practical Ways to Use This Info
If you’re a classic TV buff or a costume designer looking at 1950s styles, William Hopper is the gold standard for how a tall man should carry himself.
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- Study his posture: Notice how he uses "leaning" to bridge the height gap with shorter actors.
- Observe the tailoring: His jackets were cut specifically to keep him from looking like a beanpole.
- The Confidence Factor: Physical height is one thing, but Hopper’s "frogman" background gave him a stillness that made him seem even larger.
Next time you catch a rerun, keep an eye on how he enters a scene. You aren't just seeing an actor; you're seeing a guy who was literally too big for the "old" Hollywood but found his perfect home in the golden age of television.
To dig deeper into the world of Perry Mason, look for behind-the-scenes footage of Hopper’s screen tests—it's the best way to see how his height and presence originally confused, then ultimately won over, the producers.