If you’ve spent any time watching Curb Your Enthusiasm, you’ve probably noticed something a bit odd about Larry David’s physical presence. He’s gangly. He’s lean. He has this way of looming over a situation—usually while arguing about a "stop and chat" or the structural integrity of a scone—that makes him seem significantly larger than the average guy in a windbreaker.
But when you actually look up how tall is Larry David, the numbers you find online are surprisingly inconsistent. Some sites swear he’s a solid 6-footer. Others insist he’s 5'11". Then you have the Reddit sleuths who are convinced he’s actually 6'2" because of how he looks standing next to Bernie Sanders.
So, what’s the real story? Honestly, it’s a classic Larry David situation: a mix of official stats, camera tricks, and the deceptive nature of being a very thin man in Hollywood.
The Official Answer to How Tall is Larry David
If you go by the most reputable industry databases, Larry David is 5'11" (1.80 m).
IMDb Pro occasionally lists him at 6'0", but the consensus among celebrity height trackers and talent agencies usually lands on that 5'11" mark. Now, 5'11" is actually quite tall when you consider the "Hollywood Average." Most leading men are famously shorter than they appear on screen. Tom Cruise is 5'7". Robert Downey Jr. is 5'9". Standing at nearly 6 feet, Larry is actually one of the taller people in the room most of the time.
Why does he look taller? It’s basically his frame. Larry has what doctors (and fashion critics) might call an "ectomorphic" build. He’s incredibly lean and has long limbs. When you’re that thin, your verticality is emphasized.
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Plus, there’s the posture. Or lack thereof. Larry often hunches or leans into people during his diatribes, and yet, he still typically looks down at his costars.
Why the Internet is Confused About His Height
People get really worked up about this. If you dive into the forums, there’s a massive debate about whether Larry is shrinking or if he was always a secret giant.
One of the biggest "evidence" points for him being taller than 5'11" is his resemblance to Senator Bernie Sanders. When the two stood side-by-side on Saturday Night Live, Larry actually looked a bit taller than Bernie. Sanders is officially listed around 5'8" or 5'9" these days, though he likely started at 6'0" in his younger years. Seeing Larry tower over "Future Larry" (as they joke) makes people think he’s at least 6'1".
Then you have the Curb cast comparisons.
- Cheryl Hines is about 5'5".
- Jeff Garlin is 6'1".
- Richard Lewis was roughly 5'9".
When Larry stands next to Jeff Garlin, Jeff is clearly the bigger man, but in terms of eye level, they aren't that far apart. This supports the 5'11" or 6'0" theory. He’s tall, just not "NBA tall."
The "Thinness" Factor
You can't talk about Larry David's height without talking about his weight. He has maintained almost the exact same silhouette for forty years. It’s actually impressive.
Being thin makes you look like a vertical line. If Larry were broader or carried more weight in his midsection, he’d likely look "average." But because he’s basically a walking skeletal system draped in high-end casual wear, he occupies a lot of vertical space in the frame.
There’s also the "Seinfeld" effect. We spent years seeing Larry only in cameos or as the voice of Steinbrenner. When he finally became the lead of his own show, his physical stature was a bit of a shock to people who expected the "Costanza" archetype—short and stocky. Instead, we got the real Larry: tall, lanky, and "four-eyed."
Does He Wear Lifts?
Short answer: No.
Long answer: Absolutely not.
Can you imagine Larry David—the man who once did an entire bit about the "social assassin" and the absurdity of elevator etiquette—putting uncomfortable foam inserts in his shoes to look two inches taller? He’d find the whole concept "disgusting." Larry is a man of comfort. He wears Allbirds and eccentric sneakers. He’s not sacrificing his arches for vanity.
In fact, his willingness to look slightly "off" is part of his brand. He doesn't care if he looks gangly. He doesn't care if his pants are a little too short (which, by the way, also makes you look taller).
The Verdict on Larry’s Stature
When you strip away the camera angles and the various Google snippets, Larry David is a 5'11" man who carries himself like someone who is 6'2" and frustrated about it.
He’s taller than the average American male (who sits at 5'9") and significantly taller than many of his peers in comedy. If you ever saw him walking down Broadway, you’d probably be surprised by his "presence." He’s not a small guy.
If you’re trying to settle a bet or just satisfy a random 2:00 AM curiosity, here is the breakdown of what we know for sure:
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- Reported Height: 5'11" (1.80 m)
- Perceived Height: 6'1" (due to being very lean)
- Comparison Point: Taller than Jerry Seinfeld (5'10") but shorter than Jeff Garlin (6'1").
- Age Factor: At 78, some slight spinal compression (shrinking) is normal, so he might be closer to 5'10.5" now, though he doesn't look it.
Next Steps for the Larry-Obsessed
If you really want to see the height difference in action, go back and watch the SNL "Family Feud" sketch where Larry plays Bernie Sanders. Pay attention to when he stands next to the other "politicians."
Or, better yet, check out his appearances on Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee. When he gets out of those tiny vintage cars Jerry picks, you really see those long legs unfold. It’s the best way to get a sense of his true scale without the controlled environment of a film set.
Basically, the man is a tall drink of water. A tall, lukewarm, slightly bitter drink of water. And that's exactly how he likes it.