How Tall Was John Wayne? Here’s When He Assumed His ‘Full’ Height

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Here’s a look at John Wayne’s true height, which reached its full height at the height of his life.

Released on April 5, 2022.

2 minutes to read.

John Wayne reached his full height at a rather young age. He continued to tower over many of his colleagues, as was evident in his appearances in public and interviews. This certainly made him stand out from the crowd and garnered plenty of positive attention. It also made it a bit easier for him to lock down certain roles in his movies, as his distinctive look was required.

Young John Wayne was a ‘top athlete’ with 1 issue

John Wayne standing with his height over six feet wearing a suit and tie with a car driving away in the background
John Wayne | McCarthy/Express/Getty Images

Wayne’s stature was irrelevant, but there was a minor obstacle that hindered his progress beyond that point. The sport of football deemed him a “superior athlete” compared to his peers in high school. In John Wayne: The Life and Legend by Scott Eyman, the author delves into the formative years of the iconic Western actor.

They didn’t spend much time focusing on sports. They would mow lawns and run errands, working on ice wagons to earn money for the Wayne family. Wayne’s father also taught him how to properly conduct himself and instilled important values in him. He was also taught by his father how to properly tackle and pass the ball. He never wanted to hurt anybody, but one of his teammates said he could have been a great football player.

John Wayne’s full height reached 6 feet and 3 3/4 inches

Wayne would experience another growth spurt towards the end of his high school days. Wayne had dark, curly brown hair and stood over 6 feet tall. However, it was in high school when he truly started to enter the full physical form that his acquaintances knew him for. Eyman wrote that Wayne had always had a similar appearance.

John Wayne, the legendary Hollywood actor, ultimately made it through the doors with his almond-shaped eyes peering out from behind his good-looking, prominent cheekbones. His face was lengthened by these features, and he stood at a lean height of six feet and three and three-quarter inches, weighing 170 pounds. This is how John Wayne’s Life and Legend asserts that he looked.