If you’ve ever watched Kiss of Death and seen Tommy Udo giggling while he shoves an old woman down a flight of stairs, you probably weren't thinking about the actor's measurements. You were probably just terrified. But there's a weird thing that happens with classic Hollywood stars. We see them on these massive, grainy screens and they feel like giants. Or, we hear rumors about lifts and apple boxes and suddenly we're convinced they were all tiny. So, how tall was Richard Widmark exactly?
The official number is 5' 10" (about 178 cm).
Now, in the world of 1940s and 50s Hollywood, that was actually a pretty solid height. He wasn't a towering beanpole like James Stewart (6' 3"), but he certainly wasn't "short" by the standards of the era. Honestly, he had this lean, wiry build that made him look a bit taller than he was, especially when he was playing those high-tension, high-energy roles that made him famous.
The Myth of the "Short" Leading Man
There’s this persistent idea that every guy in Golden Age cinema was 5' 6" and standing on a crate to kiss their leading ladies. While that was definitely true for guys like Alan Ladd (5' 6.5") or Humphrey Bogart (5' 8"), Widmark didn't really need the help.
At 5' 10", he was taller than the average American male of his time.
What’s interesting is how his height played into his casting. When he first started out, director Henry Hathaway actually didn't want him for the role of Tommy Udo. He thought Widmark looked too "intellectual" because of his high forehead. He didn't look like a goon. But Darryl F. Zanuck, the big boss at 20th Century Fox, saw something else. He saw that lean, chiseled face and that shark-like intensity. Widmark's physical presence wasn't about bulk; it was about a sort of coiled-spring energy.
Comparing Widmark to His Co-Stars
You really get a sense of how tall Richard Widmark was when you see him next to other icons.
- In Panic in the Streets (1950): He shares the screen with Jack Palance. Palance was a legitimate 6' 4" giant. Next to him, everyone looks small. Widmark holds his own, but the height difference is obvious.
- In No Way Out (1950): He starred alongside Sidney Poitier. Poitier was about 6' 2". Again, Widmark is the shorter man here, but his sheer volatility makes him feel like he's taking up just as much space.
- Next to the "Tough Guys": He was roughly the same height as guys like Tony Curtis (5' 9") or Marlon Brando (5' 9"), maybe even an inch taller.
Basically, he was the "everyman" height that allowed him to pivot between playing a terrifying gangster and a dependable leading man in Westerns.
Why His Stature Worked for Film Noir
Film noir is all about shadows, sharp angles, and psychological tension. Widmark’s frame was perfect for this. He wasn't a "brawny" actor. He was slender—almost gaunt at times—which emphasized his cheekbones and those piercing blue eyes.
If he had been 6' 4" and 220 pounds, that famous giggle of his wouldn't have been nearly as creepy. It was the fact that he looked like a normal, perhaps even slightly slight man, who possessed this hidden, explosive capacity for violence. That’s what made him a star. He didn't need to physically dominate the room to control it.
The Evolution of the Widmark Build
As he aged, Widmark moved away from the "crazy guy" roles and into Westerns and war films like The Frogmen (1951) or The Alamo (1960). In these films, his 5' 10" frame was often clad in rugged gear that made him look sturdier.
By the time he was playing Jim Bowie in The Alamo, he was standing next to John Wayne. Now, "The Duke" was 6' 4". Most people look like children next to John Wayne. But Widmark had such a grounded, gritty "Midwestern" presence (he was born in Sunrise, Minnesota, after all) that he never felt overshadowed.
Factual Breakdown of Richard Widmark’s Stats
For the record-keepers and trivia buffs, here is the breakdown of the physical facts we know about the man:
- Full Name: Richard Weedt Widmark
- Reported Height: 5' 10" (1.78 m)
- Weight: Generally lean throughout his career, often described as "wiry" or "slender."
- Distinguishing Features: High forehead, blond hair, blue eyes, and that unmistakable "catarrhal" voice.
He lived a remarkably long life, passing away in 2008 at the age of 93. Even in his later years, he maintained that upright, dignified posture that characterized his work. He wasn't a man who slumped.
What You Should Do Next
If you really want to see how Widmark’s physical presence worked on screen, you've gotta move past the still photos and actually watch him move.
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- Watch Kiss of Death (1947): Specifically look for the "wheelchair scene." Notice how he uses his height to loom over people despite not being a "big" guy.
- Check out Night and the City (1950): This is Widmark at his most kinetic. He’s running through the streets of London for half the movie. You’ll see that his 5' 10" frame was built for speed and endurance, not just standing around looking pretty.
- Compare him to modern actors: Think about guys like Christian Bale or Joaquin Phoenix. They aren't giants, but they use their physical lean-ness to create intensity. That’s the Richard Widmark blueprint.
Widmark was a master of using what he had. He knew he wasn't the biggest guy in the room, so he became the most dangerous. Next time you see him in a movie, pay attention to how he stands—usually balanced, ready to move, and always looking like he's the smartest (and maybe most unstable) person in the frame.