Mention the name Audrey Hepburn and most people imagine a graceful, doe-eyed beauty with a swan-like neck and elfin features. But Hepburn was more than just a pretty face – she was also a groundbreaking actress, a humanitarian, and a timeless style icon. One of the most distinguishing physical traits was Audrey Hepburn height. At 5 feet 7 inches tall, Hepburn had a slender, gazelle-like frame that made her stand out from the curvier stars of the 1950s.
Audrey Hepburn Height That Stood Above the Rest
In an era of voluptuous screen sirens like Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor, Hepburn was a contrast. She was often described as “gamine” and had an air of sophistication that set her apart. Her exact height was 5 feet 7 inches (1.70 meters), which was tall for an actress in her day. Most leading ladies of the 1950s fell between 5’2″ and 5’5″. So at nearly 5’7″, Hepburn towered over many of her co-stars.
Her slim proportions made her seem even taller at times. She had a lithe, graceful figure and weighed around 110 lbs for most of her career. Hepburn’s height and physique were assets on the big screen. In films like Sabrina and Breakfast at Tiffany’s, her character’s slender elegance was used to convey a sense of sophistication, innocence, and class.
Off-screen, Hepburn’s height proved to be an advantage as well. It allowed the Belgian-born actress to pursue her original dream of becoming a ballet dancer. And later, as one of the most famous faces of the 20th century, her height helped her stand out in crowds and command attention on the red carpet.
A Ballet Background That Shaped Her Form
Long before she became an iconic actress, young Audrey Kathleen Hepburn-Ruston had aspirations of being a prima ballerina. Born in 1929 to a Dutch baroness and a British businessman, she spent her childhood between England, the Netherlands, and Belgium. During those years, Hepburn fell deeply in love with ballet.
The graceful art form suited the tall, slender child. She began training seriously at the age of five and was determined to become a professional ballerina. Though the dream ended abruptly due to the hardships of World War II, Hepburn’s early ballet training left a lasting impact. It shaped her posture, walk, and form for the rest of her life.
Throughout her acting career, Hepburn carried herself with a straight spine, elegant port de bras, and the neck of a swan. Her movements were infused with a dancer’s control and poise. Those years perfecting her pirouettes and pliés instilled an innate gracefulness that defined Hepburn’s mature screen presence. Her height and physique made her a natural fit for ballet — and later allowed her to convey lightness and poise within the confines of cinéma.
A Presence That Captivated Co-Stars & Directors
Though she didn’t realize her ballet dreams, Audrey Hepburn still experienced tremendous success as an actress. Initially, she was self-conscious about being taller than her leading men. But Hepburn’s magnetism on screen soon overpowered any height differences with her co-stars.
In 1953’s Roman Holiday, she starred opposite Gregory Peck who stood over 6 feet tall. Though he towered above her, the subtle chemistry between the actors enthralled audiences. The following year, she dazzled beside Humphrey Bogart in Sabrina. Despite Bogart’s 5’8″ stature, Hepburn’s graceful aura in the film earned her an Academy Award.
Occasionally, Hepburn’s height required directors to adjust camera angles and blocking to downplay the disparity between her and shorter co-stars. But frequently, Hepburn’s costars were the ones eager to work with her despite the height differences. Her talent and presence captivated leading men and distinguished directors alike.
Among her admirers were William Wyler, Billy Wilder, Stanley Donen, Blake Edwards, and Mel Ferrer (Hepburn’s first husband). Her magnetism and acting abilities trumped any superficial concerns over the numbers on a measuring tape. Hepburn remains one of the few leading ladies in history who managed to enthrall audiences at 5’7″.
A New Kind of Hollywood Icon
In many ways, Audrey Hepburn redefined femininity and expanded the parameters of a “leading lady” with her high fashion background, uncommon height, and multilingual skills. She broke free from the buxom blond stereotype and carved her own place among the great actresses of Hollywood’s Golden Age.
Producer Wyler once commented that Hepburn was “like a fawn in a forest glade.” Certainly, her graceful neck and doe eyes made her seem like a woodland creature amid the bright lights of Hollywood. But there was steel beneath that softness.
Hepburn’s experiences surviving wartime, loss, and brutal ballet training gave her a backbone. She had an independent streak that guided her career. Rather than stay tied to one studio, Hepburn picked her own projects and negotiated her contracts with precision.
Off-screen, she walked runways as a top fashion model before she ever graced the silver screen. Her style choices made her a trendsetter without even trying. Whether in a slim black Givenchy dress or casual slim jeans, Hepburn defined modern chic.
Her sophisticated aura and multilingual skills expanded what audiences expected in a star. Hepburn proved relatable, intelligent heroines could captivate just as much as the era’s iconic blondes. Graceful, gutsy, and glamorous, Hepburn redefined leading lady status and expanded Hollywood’s archetypes.
An Enduring Style Icon
Though Audrey Hepburn despised being labeled a fashion icon, her innate sense of style left an indelible mark. She preferred simple, elegant silhouettes that highlighted her slender height. Most memorable were Hepburn’s looks crafted with French couturier Hubert de Givenchy. Their close collaboration resulted in Hepburn becoming the face of his brand.
Givenchy designs accentuated Hepburn’s ballerina posture with clean lines, simple shapes, and unexpected details. In Sabrina, her character’s transformation into sophistication is signaled by the unfussy yet dramatic black satin and lace gown she dons. The crisp shoulders, nipped waist, and sleek silhouette played perfectly against Hepburn’s tall, willowy physique.
Off-screen, Hepburn favored turtlenecks, slim pants, ballet flats, and sleek dresses in shades of black, white, and beige. Her style rippled beyond fashion and cinema. Posters of Hepburn adorned dorm rooms for decades as her looks continued to inspire generations of women.
Even today, Hepburn’s style remains beloved. Her “little black dress” look from Breakfast at Tiffany’s remains one of the most iconic in film history. Though petite, Hepburn’s commanding height allowed her to carry off oversized accessories and statement jewels without being overpowered. The effortless elegance she projected still sets the bar for casual sophistication today.
A Figure That Defied Convention
Rising to stardom in the 1950s, Hepburn defied expectations of how a leading lady “should” look. Where Marilyn Monroe represented voluptuous sex appeal, Hepburn offered sophisticated innocence. Her tall, slim figure conveyed a graceful vulnerability that was miles away from the era’s buxom bombshells.
Rather than try to gain curves that were not her destiny, Hepburn embraced her physique. On-screen and off, she favored simple shapes, monochromatic palettes, and designs that elongated her silhouette. She avoided ruffles, bright colors, and other decorative elements that would overwhelm her frame.
The gamine pixie cut she popularized was another savvy choice, as it balanced and flattered her swan neck. By working with her natural physique rather than against it, Hepburn developed an effortless style admired to this day. Her choices broke the mold for leading ladies and expanded Hollywood’s beauty standards.
Hepburn’s figure also defied convention in other ways. Unlike studio-era starlets, she refused to be confined by oppressive contracts. Hepburn had the confidence to walk away when she felt mistreated and to demand roles that engaged her.
Her progressive views on marriage and family life bucked tradition as well. Hepburn made choices based on her needs rather than social pressures. Decades before it was common, she negotiated her way to equal partnerships both in her professional and personal relationships.
An Enduring Cultural Imprint
Despite her slim frame, Hepburn left an impact on cinema that has endured for decades. Even today, her refined style, breathy voice, and graceful beauty remain distinguishing marks of class and sophistication. She expanded the archetypes women could inhabit on the big screen.
Professionally, Hepburn demonstrated that femininity and confidence could coincide beautifully. Her lithe figure did not stop her from demanding fair treatment and refusing to be pigeonholed. Hepburn negotiated her contracts, designed her own costumes, and picked her projects based on the quality of the scripts.
She inhabited her height in ways both powerful and vulnerable. On screen, her straight posture could project poise or yearning depending on the role. Beyond cinema, Hepburn leveraged her visibility for good. She used her celebrity to raise awareness for children impacted by war and poverty.
Though her film career was relatively short, Hepburn’s imprint spanned decades. She won legions of fans who admired her talent, style, and spirit. Her delicate features somehow contained multitudes – projecting grace, passion, delight, melancholy, and steely determination throughout her performances.
Long after Hepburn’s passing, homages continue to pop up across all mediums. Bookish brunettes and waifish models still channel Hepburn’s gamine spirit. Couturiers still reference her simplicity. Sprites in film and photography nod to her ethereal beauty. Even today, Hepburn’s aesthetic leaves a perceptible ripple. Her elegant height helped her transcend into an icon who still enchants.
An Enchanting Imprint Across Five Decades
For an actress with such humble beginnings, Audrey Hepburn left an astounding imprint. During a career spanning just over two decades, her elegance enthralled Hollywood and the world beyond it. Though Hepburn stood an impressive 5′ 7″, her appeal stemmed from much more than her physical appearance. Here are some of the remarkable ways she left her mark across five decades in the limelight:
1950s – The decade where Hepburn rose from anonymity to stardom. Her Hollywood debut in Roman Holiday enchanted audiences and critics, earning her an Oscar. By the mid-50s, her gamine sophistication graced the big screen in classics like Sabrina and Funny Face.
1960s – Hepburn began the 60s with her most iconic role – Holly Golightly in Breakfast at Tiffany’s. As the decade progressed, dramatic turns in The Nun’s Story and Wait Until Dark showed her range. She spent these years splitting time between film sets and her family.
1970s – After a hiatus from raising her sons, Hepburn returned for a series of memorable 1970s screen appearances. She lit up the screen opposite Sean Connery in Robin and Marian and alongside Ben Gazzara in the caper Bloodline. As Hepburn aged, her magnetism and talent still entranced audiences.
1980s – Hepburn stepped back from acting in the 80s but still made cultural ripples. Her humanitarian work expanded as she became a goodwill ambassador for UNICEF. She also received honors like the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Screen Actors Guild.
1990s – By the 90s, Hepburn’s screen appearances were rare but still dazzled when they occurred. In 1992, she was appointed special ambassador to the UN’s UNICEF division – a role she took deep pride in. Her final film role came in Steven Spielberg’s Always in 1989. Hepburn remained an icon until she passed in 1993 at the age of 63.
Though her life was cut short, Hepburn’s decades on screen and off made her a peerless star with an enduring glow. From spitfire princess to savvy Budapest shop girl to glamorous double agent, Hepburn brought her artistry, intelligence, and legendary style to each role. With her refined but approachable beauty, she expanded the archetypes that classical Hollywood actresses could inhabit. The world of film, fashion, and philanthropy shine a little less brightly without her singular starlight.
Conclusion: An Iconic Blend of Style, Grace, and Grit
In conclusion, Audrey Hepburn endures as a beloved icon because her style, grace, and grit all worked in perfect harmony. At 5 feet 7 inches Audrey Hepburn height, her physique conveyed a gazelle-like elegance and refinement on screen. But Hepburn was no waifish damsel in distress – she had an independent spirit and a survivor’s resolve beneath the surface.
Though her height and ballet training gave her remarkable poise, Hepburn paired it brilliantly with intelligence and humility. She insisted on quality scripts, negotiated good contracts, and used her visibility to aid vulnerable children worldwide. On and off screen, Hepburn expanded the idea of what it meant to be a leading lady.
With her innate fashion sense and swanlike neck, she redefined feminine glamour in the postwar era. Her friend Givenchy once called her a “fawn in the forest glade.” Certainly, Hepburn had a sylph-like beauty. But she also had the backbone to thrive and excel in old Hollywood’s boy’s club on her own terms.
Audrey Hepburn left an indelible mark across fashion, film, and philanthropy because style, class, and substance so beautifully merged within her. Though her screen career was relatively brief, her influence ripples on. Hepburn’s name still evokes an enchanting blend of grace, grit, and gamine glamour. More than just her enchanting height marked her – Hepburn’s spirit continues to inspire generations.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall was Audrey Hepburn?
Hepburn stood at 5 feet 7 inches (1.70 meters) tall. This made her taller than many leading ladies of Hollywood’s Golden Age.
What weight was she?
During her acting career, Hepburn stayed quite slim and weighed around 110 lbs for most of her life. Her slender build was partially due to malnutrition suffered as a child during WWII.
Did her height help her career?
In many ways, yes. Hepburn’s slim build made her a natural fit for ballet as a child. Later in her acting career, her height and physique allowed her to convey a graceful, gazelle-like elegance on-screen.
Did she have to wear flats to be shorter than her co-stars?
Sometimes, but not always. The director and co-stars often adjusted angles and blocking to downplay height differences on film. But Hepburn’s magnetism meant leading men still clamored to act with her regardless of differences in height.
Why did her style become so iconic?
Hepburn preferred simple silhouettes in monochromatic colors that highlighted her slender figure. Her elegant personal style and collaborations with Givenchy made her a muse for the designer and a global fashion icon.
What humanitarian work was she known for?
Later in life Hepburn became closely associated with UNICEF, eventually earning the title of Special Ambassador. She traveled widely to aid children in impoverished and war-torn nations across Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
How did her childhood impact her?
Hepburn’s wartime experiences, including malnutrition, may have impacted her lifelong slim build. Training to become a ballerina from age 5 also influenced her posture and grace which later defined her star presence.
What was her most famous movie role?
Audrey Hepburn left an imprint across many films, but her most iconic is undoubtedly Holly Golightly in Breakfast at Tiffany’s. The little black dress she wore became legendary.
Why did she leave Hollywood so early?
Hepburn stepped back from acting in her late 40s to focus on motherhood and humanitarian work. She also prioritized quality over quantity and was choosy about her roles as her career progressed.
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