Ever watch Better Call Saul and feel like Jimmy McGill changes size depending on who he’s arguing with? You aren’t crazy. Screen presence is a funny thing. It’s a mix of camera angles, shoe lifts, and pure charisma that can make a guy look like a giant or a lightweight. People have been debating the Bob Odenkirk height mystery for years because, honestly, the math doesn't always seem to add up when you see him standing next to the rest of the Albuquerque crew.
The Real Numbers Behind Bob Odenkirk's Height
Basically, if you look at the official stats, Bob Odenkirk is 5'9" (about 175 cm).
That’s a perfectly average height for an American man. But if you scroll through some of the deeper fan forums or look at his IMDb page, you’ll occasionally see him billed at 5'10" or even 5'11". Why the discrepancy? It's the classic Hollywood "rounding up" syndrome. Most actors add an inch or two to their resume the way the rest of us lie about how much we go to the gym.
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In the world of Better Call Saul and Breaking Bad, his character's height is actually a plot point. Jimmy’s driver’s license and various legal documents in the show often list him as 5'11". It's a subtle bit of character work—Saul Goodman is exactly the kind of guy who would lie about his height on a government document to seem more imposing in a courtroom.
Why He Looks Different on Screen
Hollywood is built on boxes. Specifically, Apple boxes.
When Odenkirk shares a scene with Rhea Seehorn (Kim Wexler), they often look nearly eye-to-eye. Rhea Seehorn is actually about 5'4" or 5'5". Do the math: that’s a four or five-inch difference. In most of their scenes, Seehorn is wearing high heels that close the gap, or the directors use specific framing to make them look like a "united team of equals." It’s a visual trick to show their partnership.
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Then you have the "Howard Hamlin effect." Patrick Fabian, who plays Howard, is a legit 6'1". When Jimmy and Howard are in the same frame, the height difference is glaring and intentional. Howard towers over Jimmy, reinforcing that "big brother" or "superior" corporate energy that drives Jimmy so nuts.
How He Compares to the Rest of the Cast
If you want to get a real sense of how tall Odenkirk is, you have to look at him next to people whose heights are verified.
- Bryan Cranston: He’s about 5'10" or 5'11". When Walt and Saul stood together, Cranston was visibly just a hair taller.
- Jonathan Banks (Mike Ehrmantraut): Banks is around 5'8". If you watch closely, Odenkirk has a very slight edge on him, which confirms the 5'9" mark is likely the most accurate.
- Tony Dalton (Lalo Salamanca): Lalo is around 5'11" or 6'0". When he enters Jimmy’s apartment, he feels physically dominating, and that’s not just the acting—he genuinely has several inches on Bob.
- Michael Mando (Nacho Varga): This is the one that trips people up. Mando is often cited as being around 5'6" or 5'7", but the show uses low-angle "hero shots" to make him look like a 6-foot-tall enforcer.
The "Nobody" Transformation
When Odenkirk shifted from the "slippin" lawyer to an action star in Nobody, his height became part of the appeal. He wasn't a hulking 6'5" superhero like Thor. He was a regular-sized guy.
Action directors often prefer actors around the 5'9" to 5'10" range (think Tom Cruise or Keanu Reeves) because they move more fluidly on camera and are easier to frame during fight choreography. Being "average" height actually made the stunts in Nobody feel more grounded and visceral. You believed he was an underdog because he wasn't physically larger than the Russian mobsters he was taking down.
Height Misconceptions and Fan Theories
There’s a weirdly persistent theory that Odenkirk is actually much shorter, maybe 5'7", and uses massive lifts.
Honestly? Unlikely. If you see him in candid paparazzi shots or at red carpet events wearing standard dress shoes, he consistently looks exactly like a 5'9" man. He has a lean build, which can sometimes make a person look taller in solo shots, but the second he stands next to a "true" tall guy like Ed Begley Jr. (who is 6'4"), the reality of that 5'9" frame becomes pretty clear.
Final Verdict on the Bob Odenkirk Height Mystery
So, if you’re settling a bet: Bob Odenkirk is 5'9".
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He isn't a short guy, but he’s not a giant either. He’s the quintessential everyman, which is exactly why he’s been so successful playing characters who have to scramble, hustle, and fight for every inch of respect they get.
If you're curious about how height impacts acting roles, take a look at his work in Better Call Saul again. Pay attention to the footwear and the floor levels. You'll start to notice the "magic" that keeps Jimmy McGill looking like a contender even when he's outmatched.
Next time you're watching a movie, look at the doorframes. Most standard doors are 6'8". If an actor's head reaches the top of the middle hinge, they're likely in that 5'9" sweet spot.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Check out the "behind the scenes" features of Better Call Saul to see the actual height markers on the sets.
- Compare his red carpet photos with co-stars like Giancarlo Esposito (5'8") to see the natural 1-inch difference.
- Look for the "car battery" or "box" tricks mentioned by crew members in interviews if you want to see how they balanced the frame.